Total Knee:
Post-operative Day 14 to Week 6
Build motion, strength, and normal movement.
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This phase is less about protecting the surgery and more about rebuilding normal function. It is also a period when patients commonly become impatient. Recovery is occurring even when progress is not obvious every day.
Your goals
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Walk with a smooth, balanced gait and gradually reduce the walker/cane when safe.
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Regain useful range of motion and strength without repeatedly provoking large swelling flares.
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Return to normal household and daily activities in stages.
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Continue reducing stronger pain medicines; our goal is to be off opioid pain medication by 6 weeks unless there is a specific medical reason otherwise.
Formal therapy is of highest importance during this phase. Continue working on full extension, progressive flexion, quadriceps activation, hip/core strength, balance, and gait. A stationary bicycle is excellent once you can pedal comfortably.
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Continue performing daily home-based exercises as described in your preoperative booklet, or here.
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Soon you will have your follow-up appointment and receive clearance for more aggressive rehabilitation exercises and activities, as long as you are recovering appropriately.
Swelling can linger.
Legs especially may swell after therapy or busy days. Ice 10-20 minutes and compression can still be useful. Some ankle/foot swelling may persist and usually improves with time.
Call / Seek Urgent Help
New chest pain or shortness of breath is an emergency. Call us promptly for significant calf tenderness/warmth, increasing wound drainage, spreading redness, uncontrolled vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain that suddenly becomes much worse.
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Your own discharge instructions and medication list always take priority. This guide is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice.
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