- You will stand and walk on the day of surgery, or the day after.
- Weeks 1 to 2 are the hardest. Swelling, bruising and poor sleep are normal.
- By about 6 weeks, most people walk without a stick and can drive again.
- By 3 months, most people need no painkillers.
- The knee keeps improving for a year or more.
Everyone recovers at their own pace. Use these times as a guide, not a test.
Knee Replacement Recovery Timeline at a Glance
| When | What is normal | What most people can do |
|---|---|---|
| Day of surgery to going home | Sore, swollen and tired | Stand and walk with a frame or crutches. Home after 1 to 3 nights. |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | The hardest part. Swelling, bruising and broken sleep. | Walk around the house on crutches. Exercises several times a day. |
| Weeks 3 to 6 | Less pain. The knee is still warm, swollen and stiff. | One stick, once you walk without a limp. Desk work from 4 to 6 weeks. Driving at about 6 weeks, if safe. |
| Weeks 6 to 12 | Swelling after a busy day. Sleep is still improving. | Walk without a stick. Try kneeling. Stairs feel normal by about 12 weeks. |
| 3 to 6 months | Some warmth and swelling. A numb patch by the scar. | Most daily activities. Swimming and cycling. |
| 6 to 12 months | Strength is still building | Your normal routine, with golf and other gentle sport. |
When to Get Urgent Help
Call 999 if:
- you have chest pain
- you are having difficulty breathing
- you cough up blood, or you collapse
- you are suddenly confused or very drowsy, or your skin turns pale, blue or blotchy
- the wound bleeds heavily and firm pressure does not stop it
- you fall or twist the knee, and cannot get up or put weight on it
These can be signs of a blood clot in the lung, a serious infection or a broken bone. Do not drive yourself.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if:
- you have throbbing or cramping pain in your leg, often in the calf
- your calf or thigh is newly swollen, hot or red
- you have a high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
- fluid or pus is oozing from your wound
- the wound opens, or blood keeps soaking through the dressing
- redness, swelling or pain in your knee is getting worse, not better
You can also ring the ward or your surgeon's team. The number is on your discharge papers. After any fall on the knee, ring them the same day.
If anyone prescribes antibiotics for your knee or wound, tell your surgeon's team the same day.
Day of Surgery to Going Home
Physiotherapy starts on the day of your operation.[3] Most people stand and take their first steps within hours. You will use a frame or crutches.
You can usually put your full weight on the new knee straight away, using your frame or crutches. Your team will tell you if your knee needs different rules.
These first days are the most painful. You will be given regular pain relief. Take it as advised. Good pain control lets you do your exercises.
Before you go home, you will practise the stairs. Most people go home after 1 to 3 nights. Some go home the same day, as a day-case knee replacement.
You will go home with painkillers and an exercise plan. You will also have treatment to lower the risk of blood clots. This may be tablets, injections or stockings. Finish the full course, even if you feel well.
Weeks 1 to 2: The Hardest Part
Most people find these two weeks the hardest. That is normal, and it does pass.
What is normal
- swelling of the knee, calf and ankle
- bruising that can run down the leg to the foot
- a knee that feels hot, tight and stiff
- pain that is worse at night, and broken sleep
- feeling tired, and low on some days
Swelling should ease overnight or when you raise the leg. A calf that becomes more painful, tight or swollen needs checking the same day.[2]
What helps
- Do your exercises little and often. A common guide is 10 minutes, six to eight times a day.[4]
- Rest with your leg raised between sessions. Support the calf and heel, and keep the knee straight.
- Use a wrapped ice pack on the knee for up to 20 minutes at a time.[4] Check the skin each time, as it may be numb.
- Walk short distances often, using both crutches.
- Work on getting the knee fully straight. Do not rest or sleep with a pillow under the knee itself.[1]
- Take your painkillers regularly, as prescribed.
Strong painkillers can cause constipation and drowsiness. Drink plenty, and ask your pharmacist about a laxative. Ask your team or pharmacist before adding any shop-bought painkillers.
What to aim for
By the end of week 2, aim to walk around the house with confidence.[8] Aim for a straight knee, and a bend of about 90 degrees.[7] That is a right angle.
Do not worry if you are not quite there. Tell your physiotherapist, who can adjust your plan.
Your clips or stitches come out at about 10 to 14 days.[1] Some wounds are closed with dissolving stitches or glue, which need no removal.
Keep the dressing on and dry. Follow the advice you were given about showering. Do not soak the knee in a bath until your nurse says the wound has healed.
Weeks 3 to 6
The pain is easing now. Most people manage on simple painkillers. The old arthritis pain has usually gone.
The knee is still warm, swollen and stiff. It is often worse first thing in the morning and after a busy day. This is normal.
- Walking. Go down to one crutch or stick once you can walk without a limp.[8] Hold it in the hand opposite your new knee. Walk a little further each day.
- Bending. Keep up your exercises. Over time, the aim is a bend of about 110 degrees.[6] Most of the bend comes in the first 12 weeks, so keep going.
- Sleep. Sleep is often the last thing to improve. Very few people sleep through the night at six weeks.[5]
- Driving. Most people drive again at about 6 weeks. See the driving section below.
You will see Mr Hussain at about 6 weeks. He checks the wound, how far the knee bends and straightens, and how you walk.
Weeks 6 to 12
Most people now walk without a stick. Keep your stick until you walk as well without it as with it.[5] Many people keep one for outdoors a little longer.
- Work. Desk work is usually possible from about 4 to 6 weeks. Jobs with long standing, lifting or kneeling may need up to 3 months.
- Stairs. By about 12 weeks, most people climb stairs normally, one foot after the other.[5]
- Kneeling. Most people try kneeling from 8 to 12 weeks, after their 6 week check. Use a cushion.
- Lifting. Avoid heavy lifting for the first 3 months.[1]
Swelling after a busy day is still normal. An occasional sore day after a long walk is normal too.
3 to 6 Months
By 3 months, most people need no painkillers at all. Swimming and cycling are usually possible by now.
Some things take longer to settle. The knee can stay mildly warm for up to 6 months.[5] Swelling can come and go for 3 to 6 months.[6]
Most people are back to their normal routine by 6 months. Golf is usually possible at about 6 months.
6 to 12 Months and Beyond
The knee keeps getting better. Strength and confidence build for 12 to 18 months.[5] Some people notice gains for up to two years.[4]
Low-impact sport is encouraged. Walking, swimming, cycling, bowls and golf are all good choices. Higher-impact sport, such as running, is discussed with you individually.
You will see Mr Hussain again at about 3 months and 12 months. After that, get any new pain, swelling or redness checked, even years later.
What Is Normal, and What Is Not
Usually normal
- painless clicking that you can feel or hear
- a numb patch of skin beside the scar
- mild warmth around the knee that slowly fades over up to 6 months
- swelling that is worse after activity and better after rest
- stiffness first thing in the morning
- poor sleep for the first 6 weeks or more
The numb patch usually shrinks. A small area can stay numb for good.[5]
Not normal: ask for advice
- pain that is getting worse week by week
- a knee that is bending less, not more
- a knee that becomes hot, red or swollen again after it had settled
- a calf that is painful, tight or more swollen
- a knee that gives way
- any of the signs in the urgent help section above
Sleeping, Driving, Work and Other Everyday Questions
Sleeping
You do not need a special position. You can sleep on your back or your side. Do not put a pillow under the knee. It makes the knee harder to straighten. Taking your pain relief before bed can help.
Driving
Most people drive again about 6 weeks after a right knee replacement. It can be earlier after a left knee, if you drive an automatic. Check with Mr Hussain first.
You must be able to do an emergency stop. You must also be off strong painkillers. Tell your car insurer before you start. You must tell the DVLA if you still cannot drive 3 months after your operation.[11]
Work
Desk work is usually possible from about 4 to 6 weeks. Physical jobs may need up to 3 months. A phased return is often easier than going straight back to full hours.
Flying
Long-haul flights are usually avoided for at least four weeks after surgery. Some people need to wait up to three months. It depends on your recovery, your mobility and your risk of blood clots. Our guide to travelling before and after joint replacement explains more.
Kneeling
Kneeling will not damage your new knee once the wound has fully healed. Most people try it from 8 to 12 weeks, after their 6 week check.
It can feel uncomfortable or numb at first. A cushion helps. Have something sturdy to hold when you get up. Some people never find kneeling fully comfortable.
Sport
Swimming and cycling are usually possible by about 3 months. Golf is usually possible at about 6 months.
If Your Knee Stays Stiff or Painful
Most people are pleased with their new knee. About 4 in 5 say they are happy with it.[4] But recovery does not go smoothly for everyone.
Stiffness. Scar tissue can stop the knee bending. If the bend stops improving, tell your surgeon or physiotherapist straight away. Do not wait for your next appointment.
A manipulation under anaesthetic may help. The knee is bent for you while you are asleep. It works best when done early, usually within about 3 months of surgery. About 2 in 100 people have this in the first year.[9]
As a guide, ask for a review if you cannot bend to 90 degrees by 6 weeks.
Pain. Pain usually settles to its long-term level by 3 to 6 months.[10] Between 10 and 20 in 100 people still have troublesome pain after that.[4][10] If that is you, ask for a review. Do not just put up with it. Pain that is getting worse needs a review at any stage.
National guidance supports this. It covers new or worsening pain, a limp or loss of function. It says your GP should refer you back to an orthopaedic team.[3]
You can read more about a knee replacement that stays painful.
Is Recovery Different After a Partial or Robotic Knee Replacement?
Partial. Recovery is usually quicker after a partial knee replacement. Many people go home the same day or the next morning. Most drive at 4 to 6 weeks. Our guide compares partial and total knee replacement.
Robotic. Robotic help does not change your recovery plan. A large UK trial of total knee replacement found no difference at one year, with or without the robot.[12] Our guide compares robotic and conventional knee replacement.
If You Are Over 75
Age alone is not a bar to a good recovery. The steps are the same. They may just take a little longer.
- You may stay in hospital a night or two longer.
- Arrange help at home for the first two weeks.
- Clear rugs and clutter before your operation, to lower the risk of a fall.
- Strong painkillers can make you unsteady. Keep a light on and your stick by the bed at night.
- Keep walking little and often. Long spells of sitting make the knee stiff.
What Should You Do Next?
If you are planning a knee replacement, it helps to know what recovery involves. Our main guide covers knee replacement surgery in Birmingham. You can also arrange a private knee consultation in Birmingham.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from a knee replacement?
Most people walk without a stick by about 6 weeks. Most are back to their normal routine by 6 months. The knee keeps improving for a year or more.
What is the hardest week after a knee replacement?
The first two weeks are usually the hardest. The knee is swollen, sore and stiff, and sleep is poor. Most people find things get easier from about week 4.
How long does swelling last after a knee replacement?
Swelling is worst in the first few weeks. It can take 3 to 6 months to settle. It is often worse after activity. Get urgent advice if your calf becomes painful and swollen, or the knee gets hotter and redder.
When can I drive after a knee replacement?
Most people drive again about 6 weeks after a right knee replacement. It can be earlier after a left knee, if you drive an automatic. You must be able to do an emergency stop and be off strong painkillers. Check with your surgeon and insurer first.
How far should my knee bend after a knee replacement?
Aim for a straight knee and a bend of about 90 degrees by two weeks. Over time, the aim is about 110 degrees. If you could not bend this far before surgery, it may take longer. Tell your team early if the bend stops improving.
When can I fly after a knee replacement?
Long-haul flights are usually avoided for at least four weeks after surgery. Some people need to wait up to three months. It depends on your recovery, your mobility and your risk of blood clots.
References
- NHS. Recovering from a knee replacement. nhs.uk.
- NHS. Complications of a knee replacement. nhs.uk.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder. NICE guideline NG157, recommendations 1.10.1 and 1.11.1.
- Versus Arthritis. Knee replacement surgery.
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Patient Guide for Knees: Supporting your Enhanced Recovery (PDF).
- Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Knee replacement physiotherapy booklet (PDF).
- Swansea Bay University Health Board. Recovering from a total knee replacement.
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Advice and exercises after total knee replacement (PDF), November 2024.
- Abram SGF, Yusuf B, Alvand A, Sabah SA, Beard DJ, Price AJ. Manipulation under anesthetic after primary knee arthroplasty is associated with a higher rate of subsequent revision surgery. J Arthroplasty. 2020;35(9):2640-2645. Abstract
- Chronic pain after total knee arthroplasty. EFORT Open Rev. 2018;3:461-470. Full text
- GOV.UK. Surgery and driving.
- Robotic-arm-assisted versus conventional total knee replacement (RACER-Knee): a pragmatic, multicentre, participant-masked and assessor-masked, superiority, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2026. Full text
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for the advice of your own surgical team. Recovery varies from person to person.
Mr Shakir Hussain
Consultant Hip and Knee Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham, with over 5,000 procedures and certification on all three major robotic knee platforms: MAKO, ROSA, and CORI.