Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation
After a total knee replacement, physiotherapy is essential for helping you regain movement, strength, and confidence in your new knee. A structured rehab plan ensures the best long-term outcome and helps you return to walking, daily activities, and the lifestyle you enjoy.
Rehab Is Not a Sprint — It’s a Marathon
Recovery takes time, and the first 6 weeks are the hardest. It’s normal to experience stiffness, swelling, frustration, and slow progress early on. Some people even feel they regret having the surgery in those early weeks — this is completely normal.
The good news: rehab is simple, and the basics done consistently make the biggest difference.
Early rehab focuses on:
Knee range of motion — getting the knee fully straight (extension) and gradually
increasing bend (flexion)
Walking — rebuilding a normal, confident walking pattern
Managing swelling and discomfort
A great home tool: a small skateboard under your foot is one of the best ways to improve knee bend, allowing smooth, controlled flexion practice.
Rehab Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
The most effective programs are simple and consistent.
We focus on:
Active and passive range of motion — gently working the knee to straighten and bend as much as possible
Graduated walking — slowly increasing distance and confidence
Functional strengthening — progressing to step-ups and sit-to-stand squats from a chair
These exercises directly support everyday activities and are easy for most patients to do at home.
Reassurance Is Part of the Process
Recovery rarely goes perfectly. There will be good days and harder days. Your physiotherapist is there to guide you, reassure you, and help you stay on track,
especially when progress feels slow or discouraging. By sticking with the simple fundamentals, the end result is absolutely worth it.
Manual Therapy Matters
Hands-on treatment is often the missing piece in many rehab programs. At our clinic, we also provide manual mobilisation of the knee into extension and flexion
(as tolerated) to:
Reduce stiffness
Improve joint glide
Speed up gains in range of motion
Enhance the effectiveness of your exercises
Not all physiotherapists routinely include this, but it can make a meaningful difference in early progress.
Early Rehabilitation (Weeks 1–4)
This stage focuses on:
Improving knee straightening and bending
Activating the quadriceps
Reducing swelling (ice, elevation, compression)
Safe walking with supports
Building confidence with stairs and daily tasks
Motion first, strength later is the key message.
Strength & Movement Phase (Weeks 4–12)
Progressions include:
Strengthening the quads, hamstrings, and glutes
Balance and stability exercises
Increasing walking distance
Functional movements such as step-ups and chair squats
Return to Full Activity (3–6 Months)
Rehab shifts toward your personal goals: work, gardening, golf, swimming, or general fitness.
This stage includes:
Higher-level strengthening
Gait retraining
Lifestyle or sport-specific exercises
Why Physiotherapy Matters
Good movement, hands-on treatment, simple exercises, and steady progress help you get the best result from your new knee. With the right support, the journey is worth every step.
