What to Expect After a Total Knee Replacement

If you are living with constant knee pain, it can really begin to wear you down. Things like walking the dog, climbing stairs, and even getting up from a chair can feel like a struggle.

When pain relief and injections are no longer helping, a total knee replacement may be recommended by a consultant or your physiotherapist.

It is one of the most common and successful surgeries for easing arthritic pain and improving mobility.

Why People Have Knee Replacements

The main reason is arthritic changes in the knee, especially osteoarthritis in the knee joint. Over time, the cartilage, which is the protective layer inside the knee joint, wears away, leaving the bones to rub against each other. This causes pain, stiffness, and swelling.

When the pain stops you from living life as you want, surgery is often the next step. If you find you are avoiding going for walks, or stopping things you enjoy due to knee pain and stiffness, it may be time to see someone to investigate what is going on and whether it is time to have the replacement.

What Actually Happens in Surgery

During the operation, the damaged surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with a smooth artificial joint made of metal and plastic. This creates a pain-free surface that allows the knee to bend and straighten more comfortably. Most people are up on their feet the same or the next day, with support from a physiotherapist and using a walking frame or crutches.

How do You Know It Is Time to have a Total Knee Replacement

Surgery is usually suggested when:

• Pain is constant and affects sleep.
• Simple tasks like walking to the shops or using stairs are difficult.
• Pain relief or physiotherapy no longer gives lasting benefit.
• X-rays show significant arthritis or damage.

The First Few Days

You will spend a short time in hospital after surgery.

Physios will help you bend and straighten the knee, practise walking, and get used to crutches or a frame. They will teach you how to manage stairs and give you an exercise program to do at home until you start outpatient physiotherapy.

Swelling and discomfort are expected but can be very well-managed with pain relief.

The First Few Weeks at Home

At home, the focus is on gentle but regular movement. A physiotherapist will give you specific exercises to do several times a day.

These are really important to stop stiffness and help the knee move freely, and to get your full knee range of movement back.

Walking short distances often and resting with your leg up both help.

Physiotherapy and Strengthening

Physio is the most important part of recovery.

Strengthening the thigh and hip muscles supports the new joint and improves your walking. Without this, the knee can stay weak and stiff.

By using the muscles and by gently bending and straightening the knee every day, a few times a day, you will get the most out of your knee and minimise your pain and discomfort in the long term.

Our physiotherapists at ProPhysiotherapy in Earlsfield and Wimbledon, in South West London, are all experienced in treating patients after a total knee replacement. They will help you to strengthen, to relearn how to walk again, how to regain your range of movement and to have confidence in your new knee.

Recovery Timeline

By six weeks post-op, most people are walking more easily. You may not need a crutch or frame indoors.

Stairs become easier to do, although going downstairs can take a little longer and be a bit more challenging. The knee begins to feel more stable.

By three months post-surgery, you are usually back to daily tasks like shopping and gardening. Full recovery can take up to a year, but with each month that goes by, you feel stronger and more like yourself again.

Things to Watch Out For

You may experience some symptoms such as mild swelling around the knee, warmth around the wound site, and stiffness in the knee joint. These are all normal symptoms that you may experience after surgery and are all part of recovery.

However, if there is redness, hotness or a new sharp pain, please contact your medical team as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

A knee replacement is a big decision, but for many, it is life-changing. It reduces pain, restores movement, and lets you get back to the things you enjoy.

With good physiotherapy and commitment to your exercises, the results can be excellent. Our physiotherapists at ProPhysiotherapy in Earlsfield and Wimbledon are all very experienced. They have treated many patients after a total knee replacement and helped them to get full function back in their knees.

If you are preparing for or recovering from a knee replacement, our physio team at ProPhysiotherapy can guide you every step of the way.

Our physiotherapists can help you build strength prior to your surgery, known as prehab. We are also very experienced in helping support your rehab after your surgery. We are here to help you move better and recover with confidence.