Part One in the series Jill’s knee replacement journey
Table of Contents
- Your first steps with the physios
- Managing pain and swelling at home
- Why hydrotherapy made a huge difference
- Looking back on the operation
What happened immediately after your knee replacement?
My rehab really started while I was still in hospital. The nursing team will encourage you to get out of bed so you can begin to move your muscles again – that’s really important for your recovery. The morning after my operation, the physios visited me in my hospital room. We talked about whether I wanted to use crutches or a walking frame. I preferred crutches. So they adjusted those and then showed me how to use them. They helped me practise with them in the corridor, and then on the stairs. They want to make sure you’re comfortable and confident to use them before you leave the hospital.
The rehabilitation really starts while you’re still in hospital
Jill
Were you given some exercises to work on?
Yes, absolutely. When I came back to my room after surgery, they gave me a little booklet to take home with me. That had the exercises I needed to work on over the next few weeks. One of the first things they do is show you how to raise your leg so you can elevate it and apply an ice pack. That’s important for reducing swelling and inflammation, because your knee will be very swollen for the first few days after the operation.
What did your rehab exercises involve?
It depends on your own situation, but basically the exercises focus on building strength and mobility in the muscles around your new knee. That provides support for your knee and helps you to get moving independently again – which is important for your overall recovery journey. For me, it was things like pointing my toes and stretching my quadriceps. It’s painful at first, but “little and often” is the idea – to keep yourself mobile, stop your muscles from stiffening up, and build up slowly.
- To see some of the recovery exercises Jill received after her knee replacement, click here: Example Exercises after a Knee Replacement
What else did you have to work on?
As I say, they encourage you to apply ice packs regularly to help with the swelling. Depending on the hospital, you might also have the option of taking a CryoCuff home with you. That’s a cold therapy device that sits around your knee joint and delivers gentle compression alongside the cold temperature. You normally use those for about 15-20 minutes, three or four times a day or as needed. [For more about applying ice, see How to use ice treatment after knee surgery].
Was it painful at first?
I did find it painful, yes. And that’s something they explain to you clearly before you have a knee replacement. It takes time for your body to recover from surgery and adjust to the new knee. Which is why it’s very important to take the pain medication they give you after the operation – for the first couple of weeks, it’s usually codeine, followed by regular paracetamol after that. It’s also important to keep icing your knee and doing your exercises to combat the soreness and stop your muscles from stiffening up.
I realised I was moving more easily and could do things I hadn’t been able to before
Jill
When did you start to feel an improvement?
It varies from patient to patient, but I felt I had really turned a corner around day 10. I suddenly realised I was moving more easily and my leg was becoming more comfortable. And after that it got better and better. Keeping a positive attitude to can be a big help. I reminded myself how bad my knee was before the operation, and that things would improve as I recovered. You get these little moments when you think, “Oh, I couldn’t do that yesterday…” So you realise you’re improving every day.
Do you have any tips for those first few days at home?
It’s really helpful to prepare your meals beforehand. I had plenty in the freezer, so we didn’t have to do any cooking. Also, to keep the balance between rest and movement. Rest and relaxation is important, but you don’t want to be sitting in front of the TV for hours and hours. If you live alone, I would definitely consider arranging for a friend or family member to visit regularly or stay with you for the first few days or fortnight. It’s difficult to do much around the house in the early days, so an extra pair of hands is a huge help.
Did you do anything else to help your recovery?
The thing I would really recommend is hydrotherapy. That’s where you exercise in a swimming pool. Initially they arrange for you to do it one-to-one with the physios. They help you get into the pool and show you how to hold onto the side and gently exercise your legs. It’s basically like being in a big bath: the water is a lovely temperature and everything is supported so you can remobilise your muscles. I’m now going back to the pool regularly to exercise on my own. I’ve found hydrotherapy has made a huge difference to my recovery. [For more about using hydrotherapy after knee surgery, see Is hydrotherapy good for knee pain?]
Looking back, are you glad you had the knee replacement?
Yes. It was tough at the beginning. But my knee was in such a state that it needed to be done. And I didn’t want to go through the operation when I was older. I think it’s important to expect your recovery to take months rather than weeks. You may not be able to walk as far as you used to, but in time you will see improvement. I’m now so far forward, and we even managed to take a holiday to Texas the following May when I was six months post-operation.
Rehab After Your Knee Replacement: A Timeline
How does the physiotherapy process work after a knee replacement operation? Every patient’s post-surgery journey is slightly different, but here’s a rough guideline for what to expect over the first few weeks…
Day 1 (hospital) – Your physiotherapist will teach you the exercises and help you get out of bed. You’ll start moving with a walking frame before progressing to crutches.
Days 1–3 – You’ll continue to move around with crutches and do your exercises. If you have steps or stairs at home, you’ll practice these before leaving hospital. Once you’re confident and your medical team is satisfied you’re safe to go home, you’ll be discharged.
After 2 weeks – The outpatient nurse will remove your clips or stitches and check how your wound is healing. Your physiotherapist will assess your mobility, review your exercises, and introduce new ones as appropriate. This is typically when your first outpatient physiotherapy appointment takes place.
Weeks 3–12 – Your physiotherapist will discuss the options for further rehabilitation. Most patients are discharged after 3–4 physiotherapy sessions.
Useful resources
3 common exercises for knee replacement patients
