Objective To strengthen the management of limb swelling after total knee arthroplasty（TKA）, so as to promote the rehabilitation of knee joint function. Methods Seventy-six patients undergoing TKA were divided into a control group and an experimental group chronologically, with 37 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing for TKA, while the experimental group received a management scheme for limb swelling after TKA, including preoperative training, strengthening management of tourniquet usage time, cold therapy management, manual lymphatic drainage management, kinesio taping management, rehabilitation exercise management and so on. The swelling value and detumescence rate of the affected limb, knee joint function, pain degree, the time of the first off-bed activity and the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Results Totally 36 patients in the experimental group and 37 patients in the control group completed the study.On the 5th and 7th day after the surgery, the swelling value of the affected limb in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the group effect and time effect were significant when they were compared between the two groups (all P<0.05); on the 7th day after the surgery, the detumescence rate, knee joint function score and pain score in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group, and the time of the first off-bed activity and the length of hospital stay in the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Implementation of the management scheme for limb swelling after TKA can effectively alleviate the degree of swelling and pain for patients after TKA, accelerate their recovery of knee joint function, and promote postoperative rehabilitation.