Exercising Following Knee Surgery
When should I see my physio?
If all has gone well and you have had a pre-op plan from your local physio, we normally recommend you touch base with them around the 2–3 weeks post-op. We will give you some take away exercises from the hospital to do in the meantime.
Can I exercise too much?
Yes! While we want you to do your exercises, there is such a thing as doing too much. If you do too much exercise, your knee can swell and become painful. You should tailor your activities for the day based on your pain level and amount of swelling. You should not feel excruciating pain when performing your exercises. A good stretch and minor discomfort are acceptable. However, if you feel certain exercises push you to a 6/10 on the pain scale you should stop.
Are there activities to avoid?
You should avoid the leg press machine if you go to the gym. This exercise can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on the implant and should be avoided. Lunges and free-standing squats are also not recommended early on.
Can I kneel on my new knee?
Once the wound has settled (at around 6 weeks), it is safe to desensitise the scar by practicing kneeling on a chair. It is mechanically safe to kneel, but many people find it uncomfortable due to scar irritation. If it feels uncomfortable at first, you may continue to try it over time and it should get easier.
When can I use the pool?
Once you’re 4 weeks out of surgery and your incision has fully healed, you can go in the pool. Walk back and forth and do the same range of motion exercises you do on land in the water. Be careful not to overdo it. Spas are not recommended until you’re 6–8 weeks out of surgery. We recommend that a medical professional sees your wound prior to you swimming. For most wounds, we can provide clearance at around the 3–4 week mark.
