Should You Keep a Pillow Under the Knee After Surgery?

Post-TKR Positioning Mistakes You Must Avoid

After Total Knee Replacement (TKR), recovery depends not only on how successful the surgery is, but also on how you rest, sleep, and position your knee. One of the most common post-surgery mistakes patients make is placing a pillow under the knee. Although it may feel comfortable initially, this habit can lead to serious long-term complications.

Orthopedic specialists, including the best knee replacement surgeon in Punjab, strongly advise against keeping a pillow under the knee after surgery.

Why Keeping a Pillow Under the Knee Is Harmful After TKR

Placing a pillow under the knee keeps it in a bent position for prolonged periods. Over time, this can cause a condition known as fixed flexion deformity, where the knee loses its ability to straighten fully.

1. Fixed Flexion Deformity

When the knee stays bent for long hours, muscles and soft tissues adapt to that position. This makes it difficult to achieve full knee straightening, which is essential for normal standing and walking.

2. Slower Recovery

Orthopedic experts, including the best knee replacement surgeon in Punjab, emphasize that achieving full knee extension is just as important as regaining knee bending. Keeping a pillow under the knee delays this critical part of recovery.

3. Abnormal Walking Pattern

Without full knee straightening, patients may develop an altered walking pattern. This increases stress on the hip, lower back, and the opposite knee, sometimes leading to additional joint problems.

4. Need for Extra Treatment

In severe cases, patients may require aggressive physiotherapy or further medical intervention to correct stiffness. This is why doctors at the best knee replacement hospital in Punjab strictly discourage this practice.

Correct Sleeping and Resting Positions After Knee Replacement

For patients undergoing knee replacement in Punjab, correct positioning plays a vital role in recovery.

1. Keep the Knee Straight While Resting

Lie on your back with the knee fully straight. This helps maintain proper alignment and prevents stiffness.

2. Place a Pillow Under the Ankle, Not the Knee

Supporting the ankle slightly helps reduce swelling and naturally encourages the knee to stay straight.

3. Side Sleeping

If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs and ensure the operated knee remains straight and neutral.

4. Avoid Low Chairs

Patients are advised to use chairs with adequate height to prevent excessive knee bending while sitting or standing.

Why Surgeons Strongly Advise Against Pillows Under the Knee

Leading orthopedic specialists and the best knee replacement doctor highlight this guidance because early knee straightening determines long-term outcomes.

A fully straight knee:

• Improves walking balance

• Reduces stress on surrounding joints

• Enhances bending ability

• Speeds up rehabilitation
   

Patients recovering from knee replacement in Punjab often experience smoother recovery and better mobility when they follow correct positioning advice.

The Right Way to Support Healing After TKR

According to experts, including the best knee replacement surgeon in Punjab, optimal recovery comes from combining correct positioning with:

• Regular physiotherapy

• Gentle stretching exercises

• Controlled bending routines

• Ice therapy for swelling control
   

These steps significantly improve comfort and long-term knee function.

Conclusion

Placing a pillow under the knee after Total Knee Replacement may feel comfortable in the short term, but it can cause long-term stiffness, walking difficulties, and delayed recovery. Avoiding this common mistake can greatly improve mobility and overall outcomes.

Whether you are being treated by the best knee replacement surgeon in Punjab, consulting the best knee replacement doctor, or receiving care at the best knee replacement hospital in Punjab, proper post-operative knee positioning is essential for a safe and successful recovery.