If you have gone through a partial knee replacement, such as makoplasty, you may have some swelling for the first couple of days, especially behind your knee. If you are searching for a natural way to treat the symptom, use the following home remedy using ingredients found at pharmacies and supermarkets.

What You Will Need

Gather the following supplies and ingredients before you begin your treatment.

• Medium-sized bowl or basin
• Washcloth
• Plastic wrap, enough to wrap around your knee
• Bath towel
• One cup of ice water
• Strainer 
• One cup of apple cider vinegar
• Ten drops of arnica oil

The ice water helps constrict the blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood flow and decreasing the swelling. The apple cider vinegar and arnica oil in the preparation are traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

If you are unsure whether you have a sensitivity to apple cider vinegar or arnica oil, place a small dab of each on a healthy patch of skin. Wait an hour to see if you have any redness or irritation. If you do, do not proceed with this remedy. If not, go on to the directions below.

Directions

Now that you have what you need, follow the directions below to make and use the knee compress.

1. Pour the ice water through a strainer into the bowl to remove the ice. 
2. Mix in the apple cider vinegar and arnica oil.
3. Place the washcloth in the bowl to soak up the liquid.
4. Wring out the cloth slightly and place it behind the knee. Be careful not to cover any suture lines. The excess moisture could provide a breeding ground for infection. Plus, the vinegar may sting when it comes into contact with broken skin.
5. Once the cloth is properly positioned, use the plastic wrap to wrap your knee loosely. It should be just tight enough to hold the compress in place.
6. Wrap the plastic wrap with the bath towel. This will help insulate the compress to keep it cold for a longer period of time.
7. Prop your leg up above your heart to aid in the draining of blood and fluid from the area.
8. Keep the compress on your propped-up leg for a half hour.
9. Remove the towel, plastic wrap, and wash cloth.
10. Use a fresh washcloth to rinse the area.
11. Let you let air dry before putting any clothes on.

Using the above remedy three times a day along with your medical treatment should help decrease the swelling. However, if you start to experience an increase in pain and swelling, you may want to speak to the doctor who performed your partial knee replacement surgery to see if they want to change your treatment regimen. To find out more, contact a company like Noyes Knee Institute.