Most people can go home within 3 days after total knee replacement surgery. It could take you 3 months to return to most activities, and 6 months to 1 year to fully recover.

Total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, also called total knee arthroplasty, can help relieve pain and improve mobility and function after a knee injury or osteoarthritis.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), 9 out of 10 people experience significant improvements in the quality of their life after TKR.

However, this doesn’t happen at once.

Keep reading to learn more about what to expect after TKR surgery.

After TKR surgery, you may have to stay in the hospital for up to 3 days.

A physical therapist will probably have you exercising and walking with an aid, such as a cane or walker, by the next day.

The doctor will usually consider that it’s safe for you to go home when you:

  • are able to get in and out of bed without help
  • are using the bathroom without help
  • can manage your pain
  • are eating and drinking
  • are walking with a cane, walker, crutches, or other device on a flat surface
  • are able to go up and down two to three stairs
  • are able to do the required exercises without guidance
  • know the steps for preventing injury
  • know the steps to take to promote healing
  • know how to spot the signs of a complication and when to call a doctor

If you’re not able to go home, you may need to spend some time in rehabilitation.

When you go home, you may need assistance from a family member or healthcare worker. You may also need to take medications to help relieve pain.

According to the American Academy of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), you should be able to:

  • shower after 5–7 days
  • walk with a cane or no device in 2–3 weeks
  • drive after 4–6 weeks, depending on what the doctor recommends
  • return to a sedentary job in 4–6 weeks
  • travel after 4–6 weeks, when the risk of a blood clot has reduced
  • bathe after 4–6 weeks, once the incision has healed and sealed
  • return to a job that involves physical effort in 3 months

After TKR, people often become more mobile and active than before. You may even be able to return to activities you had given up on due to knee pain.

However, this will take time. During the first year after surgery, you’ll most likely be regaining strength, mobility, and flexibility in your knee.

After TKR, it will take some time before you can resume physical activity.

Sometimes, your new knee may not bend as far as your original knee, which could affect your ability to do some activities like kneeling, running, and lifting.

However, a physical therapist could help develop an exercise plan that combines strength-building and flexibility exercises to increase:

  • range of motion, flexibility, and mobility
  • strength in the muscles around your knee
  • balance

High-intensity sports

In time, you may feel ready to resume high intensity sports.

However, joint replacements are not designed for high impact loading. Contact and high impact sports may contribute to cumulative wear on your implant. There’s also a risk of breaking your artificial knee or causing further damage.

To increase the longevity of your knee implant and to prevent early failure, focus on low intensity exercises, such as:

It’s important to work with your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist to determine which activities are appropriate for you.

Weight management

If you have obesity or overweight, a doctor may recommend losing weight before considering TKR. Additional body weight increases the risk of osteoarthritis and inflammation by putting pressure on the knee.

Similarly, additional weight may cause damage to the artificial knee because it can stress the joint and cause your implant to break or wear out sooner.

Losing 1 pound of body weight may help reduce the pressure on your knee joints by up to 6 times if you have obesity.

Learn more about managing your weight with a healthy diet, lifestyle changes, and physical activity.

Most people experience a significant improvement in symptoms and mobility after TKR, according to the AAOS.

However, it’s important to be aware of the possible complications, which may affect up to 2% of people who receive TKR. Some complications may include:

What is the most painful day after knee replacement surgery?

The day after TKR surgery may be the most painful due to several factors, such as tiredness and pain relievers wearing off. This will decrease as the week goes on. However, a 2022 study found that pain peaked again 9 days after surgery. The authors suspect this was most likely due to being more mobile.

How long does it take to walk after a full knee replacement?

Most people walk with an assistive device like a cane or walker on the same day of surgery. However, in some cases, it could take up to 3 days after surgery. After 6 weeks, you should be able to walk without an assistive device.

How long is bed rest after knee replacement?

You may stay in bed briefly after surgery, but most people start walking the same day after surgery with physical therapy. This may include walking with an assistive device.

In many cases, TKR may have a positive impact on your life. Studies have shown that 82% of replacement knees last at least 25 years, while 90% last 15 years or more.

However, it’s important to remember that your artificial knee is unlikely to function at the same level as a healthy, natural knee.

In addition, the implant alone will not keep you mobile. To get the best value from it, you will need to:

You will probably have to see your surgeon every 3–5 years for an evaluation.