Knee replacement recovery usually means walking with support within a day or two and returning to light daily activities within a few weeks, while strength and movement keep improving for three to six months or longer. This guide covers the hospital stay, pain, warning signs to watch for, and a general home exercise plan for the first six weeks. It is general information from the practice of Dr. Sushil Sharma at Kailash Hospital & Heart Institute, Noida; always follow your own surgeon's and physiotherapist's advice first.

In This Guide

How long is the hospital stay after knee replacement?
How long does recovery take?
Is knee replacement painful?
Can I climb stairs, sit on the floor or squat after knee replacement?
I am 4 weeks after knee replacement and have sharp, burning pain at the outer edge of my kneecap during exercises. Is that normal?
Home exercise guide for the first 6 weeks

How long is the hospital stay after knee replacement?

Many patients are helped to stand and walk within a day of surgery and stay in hospital for a few days, depending on their health and whether one or both knees are done. With Dr. Sharma, the usual stay is about 3 to 4 days.

How long does recovery take?

Most people return to light daily activities within a few weeks, and strength and movement keep improving for three to six months or longer. Regular physiotherapy is a key part of recovery. Your own timeline depends on your fitness before surgery and whether one or both knees were done.

Is knee replacement painful?

Some pain after surgery is expected, but modern anaesthesia and pain-control methods keep most patients comfortable. Walking early and doing your physiotherapy exercises help pain settle faster. Tell your team early if your pain is not controlled.

Can I climb stairs, sit on the floor or squat after knee replacement?

Most people climb stairs comfortably once they have recovered. Sitting on the floor or squatting depends on how far your knee bends and on the implant, so ask your surgeon what is realistic for you, especially if floor sitting matters in your daily life.

I am 4 weeks after knee replacement and have sharp, burning pain at the outer edge of my kneecap during exercises. Is that normal?

Some discomfort, swelling and tightness around the kneecap are common in the first weeks, and burning or tingling on the outer side of the knee can come from irritated skin nerves near the scar. Even so, a sharp, burning pain that appears during exercises should be reported to your surgeon or physiotherapist, because it cannot be diagnosed from a description. Contact your surgeon the same day if you have a fever, redness or warmth, wound discharge, calf pain or swelling, a sudden increase in pain, difficulty putting weight on the leg, or the knee giving way. Until you have been checked, do not push through sharp pain; ease off the exercise and note which movement causes it.

Home Exercise Guide: The First 6 Weeks After Knee Replacement

This is a general guide for the first six weeks, and it applies to robotic and conventional surgery alike. Your surgeon and physiotherapist may set different targets for you, so follow their advice first. Do the exercises two or three times a day, with 2 to 3 sets of about 10 repetitions each. Mild muscle ache is normal; sharp pain, increasing swelling or a hot, red knee is not, so stop and contact your surgeon.

Weeks 1 to 2: control swelling and regain straightness

Ankle pumps: move your foot up and down for a minute, several times a day.
Quad sets: tighten the thigh muscle and press the back of the knee down, hold for 5 seconds.
Heel slides: lying down, slide the heel towards your buttock and back, aiming to bend towards 90 degrees.
Straight leg raises, if you can do them without the knee bending.
Short walks with a walker, 5 to 10 minutes, four or five times a day.
Ice for 15 to 20 minutes after exercise, and rest with the leg raised.

Weeks 3 to 4: bend further and walk more

Continue the week 1 to 2 exercises.
Seated knee bends and straightening, aiming to bend towards 100 to 110 degrees.
Standing hip movements to the side and back, holding a firm support.
Mini squats and weight shifts while holding a support.
Gentle stationary cycling once your physiotherapist says your knee bends enough.
Walks of 10 to 15 minutes, three times a day.

Weeks 5 to 6: build strength and balance

Continue the earlier exercises, aiming to bend towards 110 to 120 degrees.
Stair practice with a handrail, and low step-ups.
Standing heel raises and balance work, holding a support.
Walks of 20 to 30 minutes, and moving from a walker to a stick if your physiotherapist agrees.

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Still Have a Question?

If your question is not answered here, ask Dr. Sharma at your consultation. To book at Kailash Hospital & Heart Institute, Sector 27, Noida, call +91 9873114480 or 9810894321, or use our contact page.

This page gives general information only and does not replace medical advice. In an emergency, go to your nearest emergency department.

About the Author: Dr. Sushil Sharma

Sr. Consultant, Joint & Knee Replacement Surgeon, Kailash Hospital & Heart Institute, Sector 27, Noida.
MBBS, D.O. (Ortho), MCh (Ortho), FJRS (Swiss) | 38+ years of experience | 10,000+ joint replacements | Author of “Defeat Osteoporosis”.
Knee replacement surgeon in Noida

Knee Replacement Recovery and Home Exercise Guide (First 6 Weeks)