A knee replacement replaces damaged joint surfaces. Rehabilitation restores motion and daily function while protecting the wound. Your operation, health, and surgeon’s instructions determine progression.
Typical priorities include wound monitoring, swelling management, assisted walking, and gentle knee motion. Ask about ankle pumps, quadriceps sets, and heel slides. Do not force bending or place prolonged support directly under the knee. Follow weight-bearing orders.
Start only if your treating clinician specifically approves the movement, range, and dosage.
If healing and symptoms permit, therapy may advance walking, chair rises, cycling, and supported strengthening. Increase demand only when movement is controlled and pain or swelling is not worsening.
Start only if your treating clinician specifically approves the movement, range, and dosage.
Work toward smoother stairs, balance, and endurance when cleared. Persistent swelling or poor control may require slower progression. Twelve weeks is not automatic permission for high-impact exercise.
Start only if your treating clinician specifically approves the movement, range, and dosage.
Confirm your restrictions, review symptom changes, demonstrate the current movements to your therapist, and obtain the next written instructions. Time alone does not establish readiness.
Stop exercise for new or increasing weakness, spreading numbness, dizziness, or worsening symptoms. Seek urgent medical assessment for fever, concerning wound drainage, or a newly painful swollen calf after surgery. Call 911 for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, stroke-like symptoms, or a medical emergency. New loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle numbness, or rapidly worsening weakness requires emergency assessment.
Read the original hospital or professional guidance ↗
Educational overview assembled October 18, 2026. This is not a reproduction of the full protocol, a medical clearance, or a clinician-signed prescription. Follow your own surgical team’s instructions.
