Knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful orthopedic procedures, with nearly 700,000 surgeries performed every year in the US.1 It can bring tremendous relief from chronic pain and help you regain mobility.
Here’s what you can expect during recovery:
- First Days: Managing Pain and Swelling
- Pain, swelling, and stiffness are normal after surgery
- Manage with medications, ice, and elevation
- Begin exercises and physical therapy immediately
- First Weeks: Physical Therapy and Movement
- Start guided physical therapy to regain motion
- Perform home exercises regularly
- Use walker or cane for support
- Resuming Driving
- Left knee: ~2 weeks
- Right knee: ~4 weeks
- Must be off narcotics and feel safe
- Returning to Work
- Desk jobs: 4–6 weeks
- Manual/active jobs: 2–3 months or more
- Avoid heavy labor to protect implant
- Full Recovery Timeline
- ~4 months: resume low-impact activities
- ~95% recovery by 4 months
- Full recovery may take up to 1 year
According to research:
- Over 90% of knee replacements last 15+ years
- About 82% remain effective after 25 years
If knee pain is affecting your life, consider scheduling a consultation to explore treatment options.
Author: Dr. Eddie El-Yussif, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in knee replacement.
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