A knee replacement can take away years of arthritis pain, but how well the new knee bends and straightens depends a lot on the first few weeks after surgery. If getting to a clinic is hard right now, physical therapy can come to you. Here's what recovery at home usually looks like.
Why the first weeks matter so much for a knee
After a knee replacement, the joint is swollen and stiff, and the thigh muscles shut down for a while. Scar tissue starts forming quickly, so the motion you gain in the first six weeks has a big effect on how far the knee will bend and straighten long term. That's why your surgeon wants you moving early and doing your exercises every day.
The two big goals: straightening and bending
- Straightening (extension): a knee that won't fully straighten makes you limp and tires you out quickly. We work on it from day one.
- Bending (flexion): you need enough bend to climb stairs, get out of a chair and get in and out of a car. We measure your progress at every visit so you can see it improve.
What happens at the first visit
- Review your surgeon's instructions and weight-bearing orders
- Check swelling and measure how far the knee bends and straightens
- Test your strength, balance and how you walk with your walker or cane
- Practice getting in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, and up and down your stairs
- Show you how to manage swelling with ice, elevation and positioning
- Look for hazards such as loose rugs, low chairs and poor lighting
You'll finish with a short home exercise program and a plan for how often we visit.
What recovery usually looks like
Everyone heals at a different pace, and your surgeon's guidance always comes first. In general:
- Weeks 1β2: controlling pain and swelling, getting the knee straight, gentle bending, waking up the thigh muscles and walking safely around the house.
- Weeks 3β6: more bend, stronger legs, practicing stairs and longer walks, and often moving from a walker to a cane.
- Weeks 6β12: balance, endurance and getting back to the things you enjoy, such as shopping, walks outside or time with the grandkids.
Why therapy at home helps after a knee replacement
The hardest parts of knee recovery happen at home: the stairs up to the bedroom, the low couch, the step into the tub. At home we practice on your own stairs and furniture and set things up so they're safe for your new knee. You also skip the car ride, which is hard when your knee won't bend much yet.
Does Medicare cover it?
Medicare Part B covers outpatient physical therapy in your home when it's medically necessary and your doctor signs the plan of care. UPT Services is a Medicare provider and also accepts Aetna Medicare plans, Independence Blue Cross plans and Keystone 65. We verify your benefits before the first visit.
When to call your surgeon
Call your surgeon's office right away for increasing redness or drainage at the incision, fever, new calf pain or swelling, or knee pain that suddenly gets much worse. Call 911 for chest pain or trouble breathing.
Start your recovery at home
UPT Services provides in-home physical therapy after knee replacement across Northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County (including Levittown, Feasterville-Trevose and Richboro) and Montgomery County (including Elkins Park and Willow Grove). Call (215) 760-8229 or request an appointment. Learn more about hip and knee replacement rehab, knee pain, and our guide to recovering at home after a hip replacement.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Follow the instructions from your own surgeon and physical therapist.