Post-surgery rehab
Physiotherapy after knee replacement: what the first 12 weeks look like
A practical guide to recovery after total knee replacement (TKR): bending, straightening, walking and strength goals week by week, and common questions.
By Physio Central clinical team · · 2 min read
Medically reviewed by Dr Nitin N Sunku, MS Orthopaedics (Karnataka Medical Council Reg. No. 117608)
A total knee replacement (TKR) can relieve years of arthritis pain, but the new joint only works as well as the muscles and movement around it. Physiotherapy in the first three months makes the biggest difference to how well you walk, climb stairs and get back to daily life.
Your surgeon's protocol takes priority. This is the typical shape of recovery.
Weeks 0–2: Early movement
- Start walking with a walker or crutches, often the day after surgery
- Work on getting the knee straight: lying with the heel supported and the knee unsupported helps
- Bend the knee gently and regularly: heel slides, seated knee bends
- Ankle pumps and static quads to help circulation and wake up the thigh muscles
- Manage swelling with elevation and ice, and take pain relief as prescribed so you can do your exercises
Weeks 2–6: Range and confidence
Typical goals are a knee that straightens fully and bends to about 90 degrees or more, walking with one stick or none, and managing stairs one step at a time. Stationary cycling often starts in this phase.
Weeks 6–12: Strength and function
- Progressive strengthening: sit-to-stand, step-ups, bridges, gentle squats
- Balance work, especially if you were unsteady before surgery
- Longer walks, normal stairs and getting back to activities like driving (when your surgeon clears it)
Most people continue to improve for up to a year, but the first 12 weeks set the foundation.
Common questions
Is some pain normal?
Yes. Aching and stiffness, especially after exercise and at night, are common for several weeks. Pain that is getting worse rather than better, or that stops you doing your exercises, should be checked.
How much should I bend my knee?
Little and often beats occasional forceful stretching. Your physiotherapist will set targets for each week and measure your progress.
Can I have physiotherapy at home?
Yes. For the first weeks after surgery, when travel is difficult, we offer home visits.
Book post-surgery physiotherapy or call the clinic to plan your recovery before your operation.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Always follow the advice of the clinician who knows your case. In an emergency, call 112.
