Medication After Knee Surgery
Paracetamol, an anti-inflammatory, a short course of opioid, and blood-thinning prophylaxis.
A typical regimen: paracetamol regularly for 2–3 weeks, an anti-inflammatory tablet for 2 weeks (if your stomach and kidneys tolerate it), a short course of an opioid such as tramadol for breakthrough pain in the first 5–10 days, and a blood-thinner — usually a small daily tablet — for 2–6 weeks.
Anti-nausea tablets and a laxative are prescribed alongside opioids because constipation is almost universal otherwise. Your existing chronic medication is continued unless specifically stopped before surgery.
Stop the opioid as soon as you can manage with paracetamol and the anti-inflammatory. Pain that requires escalating opioids beyond two weeks is not normal — let us know.
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