Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Usually not. A knee replacement stays warmer than the other knee for a long time, and that is part of normal healing. The warmth is strongest in the first couple of weeks, is still there at three months, and slowly fades over the first year.

What matters is the direction. Warmth that is fading, even slowly, is the knee healing. Warmth that stays the same or gets worse is not normal and is worth having looked at.

Warmth on its own does not tell healing from infection. A healing knee and an infected knee can feel much the same to the touch. What points toward infection is warmth together with other things: pain that is getting worse, new swelling, redness, fever, or drainage from the incision.

In general:

  • Warmth during the first year is expected.
  • It should keep fading. Warmth that stops fading needs to be checked.
  • Warmth with pain, swelling, redness, fever or drainage needs to be seen promptly.
  • A knee that was doing well and then gets worse is the one to report.

Drafted with AI assistance from published sources, reviewed and edited by Babak Sheikh, MD.

Sources:

This is general information about what published research shows. It is not medical advice and it is not about your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship with me. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and I do not see patients. Talk with your own doctor before changing anything about your care. If something feels suddenly or seriously wrong, get medical care promptly rather than waiting.

This page is provided as is. I make no guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current, and medical evidence changes. Use of it is at your own risk.

Published by Clinical Evidence Media LLC. Full disclaimer and how these answers are researched: Disclaimer and how these answers are made