Physiotherapy after knee replacement: how Hauora helps you recover
By Geoff Scott, Founder & Senior Physiotherapist, Hauora
By Geoff Scott, Senior Physiotherapist and founder of Hauora. Reviewed by Jason Oliveira, Senior Physiotherapist. Last updated 14 November 2026.
Why physiotherapy matters after a knee replacement
A knee replacement gives you a new joint, but rehabilitation is what gives you a knee that bends well, feels strong and lets you get back to walking, stairs, golf or tennis. The NHS says that starting your exercises early helps long-term strength and movement (NHS).
At Hauora, our physiotherapy clinic in Primrose Hill, London, pre- and post-operative rehab is one of our specialities. We work hand in hand with your orthopaedic surgeon, from the weeks before your operation to the day you’re back doing what you love.
After surgery, the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh are weak, and the knee is swollen and stiff. Getting the knee fully straight and bending well in the first weeks, then rebuilding strength over the following months, are the two biggest jobs of rehab.
Knee replacement recovery at a glance
- Prehab: ideally start 4 to 8 weeks before surgery.
- Going home: most people leave hospital 1 to 4 days after the operation.
- Walking without a stick or crutch: from about 6 weeks.
- Driving: at least 6 weeks after a total knee replacement, or about 3 weeks after a partial one (NHS).
- Back to work: usually between 6 and 12 weeks, depending on your job.
- Knee bend: about 90 degrees for sitting and stairs; most people aim for 110 degrees or more.
- Full recovery: several months, and most people keep improving through the first year.
Total or partial knee replacement?
A total knee replacement resurfaces the whole joint. A partial (unicompartmental) replacement resurfaces only the worn part, usually the inner side of the knee. Partial replacements tend to recover faster: the NHS advises waiting about three weeks before driving after a partial replacement, compared with six after a total. We rehabilitate both, and adjust the plan to your operation and your surgeon’s instructions.
Before surgery: prehab
Prehab is rehab before your operation. Many people have struggled with a painful knee for years, and the muscles around it have weakened. Ideally we start four to eight weeks before surgery. In that time we:
- Build strength in your thigh, hip and calf muscles
- Improve how far your knee bends and straightens
- Teach you the exercises you will start straight after surgery
- Practise walking with crutches and on stairs
- Help you set up your home for the first few weeks
Your recovery after a knee replacement, stage by stage
- Days 1 to 14: hospital and home. Most people go home 1 to 4 days after surgery. The focus is controlling pain and swelling, getting the knee straight, bending it a little more each day, walking with crutches and switching the quadriceps back on.
- Weeks 2 to 6: bend, straighten and walk. We work on the knee’s range of movement, add the exercise bike as soon as the bend allows, and move you from two crutches to one, then a stick. The NHS suggests trying to walk without an aid from about six weeks, and waiting at least six weeks before driving after a total knee replacement.
- Weeks 6 to 12: strength and confidence. Gym-based strength work for the quads, hamstrings, hips and calves, plus balance, stairs and longer walks. Most people return to work between 6 and 12 weeks, depending on their job.
- Months 3 to 12: back to the things you love. Golf, cycling, swimming, walking holidays and doubles tennis, with strength work continuing. Full recovery can take several months or longer, and most people keep improving through the first year.
Timings are from NHS guidance and vary with your health, your operation and your goals. Partial knee replacements usually recover faster.
Exercises in the first few weeks
Your hospital physiotherapist will give you a home programme, and it’s important to follow it. It usually includes exercises like these:
- Ankle pumps to keep the blood flowing in your lower leg
- Quad sets: tightening the thigh muscle to press the back of the knee down
- Heel slides to bend the knee a little further each day
- Straight leg raises to rebuild control of the leg
- Knee straightening with your heel resting on a rolled towel, and nothing under the knee itself
Little and often works best. Several short sessions a day beat one long one, and a cold pack and raising the leg afterwards help control swelling.
What a session at Hauora looks like
Each 45-minute session starts by measuring how far your knee bends and straightens, and checking swelling, the wound, and how you’re walking. We then use hands-on treatment where it helps and take you through your exercises in our clinic gym, building them up as you improve. You leave every session with an updated home programme and a clear goal for the next one.
Common problems after a knee replacement, and how we help
- Stiffness. If the knee’s bend stalls in the first six weeks, early action matters. We step up your programme and keep your surgeon informed.
- Swelling. It’s normal for months. We help you balance activity and rest, and use raising the leg, ice and compression.
- Pain and poor sleep. We plan your exercises around your pain relief and help you find comfortable positions for sleeping.
- A limp and weak thigh muscles. Targeted strength and walking practice restore a normal pattern.
- Kneeling. Many people can kneel again, though it may feel strange. Once the wound has healed and your surgeon agrees, we practise it gradually on a cushion.
When to contact your surgeon or get urgent help
Contact your surgeon’s team promptly if the wound becomes red, hot or leaks, if pain or swelling suddenly gets worse, or if you develop a fever. Seek urgent medical help for pain and swelling in your calf, and call 999 if you have chest pain or sudden breathlessness, as these can be signs of a blood clot.
How we work with your surgeon
We work closely with orthopaedic knee surgeons across London, and we’re happy to see you whoever performed your operation.
- Before your operation. We can share your prehab findings with your surgeon, so they know your strength and movement going into surgery.
- One plan. We follow your surgeon’s post-operative protocol and any restrictions they set.
- Measured progress. We record your knee bend, strength and walking at every stage and send regular updates to your surgeon.
- Fast escalation. If something isn’t progressing as it should, such as a stiff knee, swelling that won’t settle or a wound concern, we contact your surgeon’s team quickly.
Why patients choose Hauora for knee replacement rehab
- Senior physiotherapists with elite-sport experience. Geoff Scott led medicine and performance at Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, and Jason Oliveira spent seven years as a senior physio at Saracens.
- The same strength testing used in professional sport, applied to your goals, whether that’s the stairs at home or 18 holes of golf.
- Clear goals at every stage, so you always know what you’re working towards and why.
- Prehab and rehab in one place, so the team that prepared you for surgery also guides your recovery.
- A convenient location in Primrose Hill, close to Camden Town, Belsize Park, St John’s Wood, Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, Regent’s Park and Kentish Town.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to recover from a knee replacement?
Full recovery can take several months or longer. Most people walk without an aid from about six weeks, return to work between 6 and 12 weeks, and keep improving for up to a year.
When can I drive after a knee replacement?
The NHS advises waiting at least six weeks after a total knee replacement, or three weeks after a partial one. Check with your surgeon and your insurer first.
How much should my knee bend after a knee replacement?
Around 90 degrees lets you sit and climb stairs comfortably. Most people aim for 110 degrees or more, which makes cycling and getting out of low chairs easier.
How often should I see a physio after a knee replacement?
Usually once or twice a week for the first 6 to 12 weeks, alongside daily home exercises. We tailor the plan to your progress and your surgeon’s protocol.
Can I play golf or tennis after a knee replacement?
Many people return to golf, cycling, swimming and doubles tennis. Talk to your surgeon before high-impact sports such as running.
Do I need prehab before a knee replacement?
It isn’t essential, but going into surgery stronger and already knowing your exercises helps you make a confident start to rehab.
Is it normal for my knee to be swollen and warm months after surgery?
Yes. Some swelling and warmth can last for several months as the knee heals. Contact your surgeon’s team if it suddenly gets worse, or comes with redness, a leaking wound or a fever.
What can I do to help my recovery after a knee replacement?
Do your exercises little and often, take short walks, raise your leg to control swelling, and take your pain relief as prescribed so you can keep exercising. Keep every follow-up appointment with your surgeon and physiotherapist.
Will I be able to kneel after a knee replacement?
Many people can, though it often feels strange at first. Once your wound has healed and your surgeon agrees, we help you practise gradually on a cushion.
Having a different operation? Read our guides to anterior hip replacement prehab and rehab and shoulder injury rehab, or see how we help after ACL and other knee surgery.
Book your knee replacement rehab
Whether your operation is coming up or you’ve just come home, book an assessment at Hauora in Primrose Hill. We’ll build your plan with your surgeon and guide you through every stage. Book online at hauora.com/book.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you’re injured or unwell, see a doctor or physiotherapist.