Recovery

After Knee Replacement: Keeping Your Knee Healthy

Choose a preferred language

You can keep your knee healthy by knowing the right moves and not doing the wrong ones. Some activities could harm your artificial knee and may be permanently restricted. Your healthcare provider and physical therapist will give you specific instructions and advice.

Three images showing man taking small steps to turn body.


Do’s:

  • Place your knee comfortably as you go about daily activities.

  • Exercise and walk every day as directed by your health care provider.

  • Use an ice pack if your knee starts to swell or feel tender.


Don’ts:

  • Don't twist your knee. Turn your whole body instead.

  • Don't jump or do any impact activity. It could loosen your new knee joint.

  • Don't force movements, such as bending your knee too far.

  • Don't put a pillow behind your knee when you are resting. This may keep you from straightening it fully. 


Follow-up care

Your orthopedic surgeon will schedule follow-up exams to make sure that your knee is healing the right way. Use this time to ask any questions you have about your recovery or activities.

Online Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C

Online Medical Reviewer: Thomas N Joseph MD

Date Last Reviewed: 03/01/2025

© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
doctor icon

Find the right provider to meet your needs

From primary care to specialty services and more.

Find a Doctor
appointment clock icon

Call for an Appointment

Offering personalized care at more than 20 clinics across three cities and two states.

Call Now
Related Articles
Read article
Orthopedics
After Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Reverse total shoulder replacement is a type of surgery. It's done to repair an injury to the rotator cuff. Here's what you need to know about recovering at home.

Read article
Orthopedics
After Total Hip Replacement: Recovering at Home

A total hip replacement is major surgery, so don't be surprised if it takes a few months before you feel really good.

Read article
Orthopedics
Transfers After Leg Amputation

After your amputation, you will need to learn how to transfer safely.

Read article
Orthopedics
AC Joint Sprain (Adult)

With an AC joint sprain, the ligaments that hold the collarbone to the shoulder blade may be partly or fully torn. In both cases this causes pain and swelling at the end of the collarbone.