Everything You Need to Know About Exercising After a Knee Replacement

Treadmill

Walking is one of the best exercises you can do after surgery. The AAOS recommends initially using a walker and progressing gradually to a cane two to three weeks after surgery. You can stop using a cane once you can walk without a limp.

Once you can move around without a cane, the treadmill is a good post-knee-replacement exercise machine. Keep the incline level low and the speed slow initially, progressing it as your strength and endurance improve. Don’t run on the treadmill, though, as this puts too much stress on your new knee.

Warning

You may have some light pain or swelling after exercise, but it shouldn’t last longer than 24 hours. Ice your knee and elevate it after your exercise routine to help decrease pain and inflammation. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have.

Yoga After Knee Replacement

After your doctor gives you the all-clear to exercise, consider taking yoga or tai chi classes. Both are recommended by the Arthritis Foundation as effective range-of-motion exercises. And both focus on slow, controlled movements and single-leg balance — all important components of post-op recovery.

Yoga poses have variations to accommodate injuries or skill level, and tai chi can help reduce pain and impairment in people with knee problems. When starting yoga after knee surgery, opt for upper-body chair yoga, then gradually transition to restorative or Yin yoga. They’re slower and gentler on your joints and incorporate lots of props for support.

Once you’re cleared by your doctor, you’re free to do any form of yoga — with modifications — that doesn’t cause pain. But it’s important to learn from a professional, as injury can result from improper form.

Exercises and Activities to Avoid After Knee Replacement

It’s important to stay active to keep your muscles strong and to maintain a healthy weight, as weight gain can stress your new knee. But there are some exercises that should be avoided or done with precaution after a knee replacement.

The Mayo Clinic states that excessive activity can wear out your artificial knee and cause the replacement to become loose and painful. Therefore, it’s safer to avoid high-impact activities, such as running and jumping, or activities that require sudden stops or changes in direction.

Avoid the following activities or do them with caution after talking to your doctor:

• Stair step machine: Avoid the stair stepper machine immediately after knee replacement surgery, as you may injure yourself until you build up your strength and coordination. The AAOS suggests finding a flight of stairs and using the handrail to go up the stairs with your good knee and down the stairs on your recovering knee.
• Leg press with heavy weight: Don’t lift more than 50 pounds, per UW Health.
• Jumping: rope, jacks or box jumps
• Jogging or running
• Sports: basketball, tennis, soccer, hockey, skiing, etc.
• Driving : You won’t be able to drive right after surgery. You will be cleared to drive around four to six weeks after surgery.
• Exercises that require kneeling down , especially if this is uncomfortable

For best results, stick to low-impact activities and sports including golf, swimming and cycling.

About Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is an option for people who have severe pain due to osteoarthritis, per the Mayo Clinic. These people have difficulty doing things like walking, climbing stairs and standing up out of a chair.

The procedure involves removing the damaged bone and cartilage from your kneecap, shinbone and thigh bone and replacing it with an artificial joint that’s made of special metal alloys, as well as polymers and high-grade plastics.

The surgery has an excellent recovery rate, with more than 90 percent of patients saying they have a big reduction in pain and improved ability to do activities, reports the AAOS.

Plus, you may be able to start moving and exercising your new knee the day after surgery, per the AAOS. Once you’re released from the hospital, listen to your physical therapist or doctor, as they can help you choose the best exercise machine for knee rehabilitation.

If you do your prescribed exercises, you can expect to resume your normal activities within three to six weeks and be able to drive four to six weeks after surgery.