Post-Surgery Recovery | Knee Replacement | Physio to Home

Had a knee replacement in Tasmania? Michael Ghattas explains recovery week by week — from Day 1 at home to 6 months — including exercises, swelling management, and funding.

Had a knee replacement in Tasmania? Michael Ghattas explains recovery week by week — from Day 1 at home to 6 months — including exercises, swelling management, and funding.

Micheal Ghattas

3/6/2026 · 8 min read

Knee Replacement Recovery Week by Week: A Home Physiotherapist's Guide for Tasmanians

By Michael Ghattas, DPT | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | 18 Years Experience

Physio to Home, North Tasmania | Last reviewed: March 2026

Knee replacement surgery — technically called total knee arthroplasty — is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures in Australia, with over 70,000 operations performed each year. For most people, the surgery itself goes smoothly. What determines how well and how quickly you recover is almost entirely what happens in the weeks and months that follow.

Knee replacement rehabilitation is more demanding than hip replacement in one important respect: regaining full range of motion requires consistent, daily physiotherapy work — particularly in the first six weeks. If that window is missed, scar tissue can limit movement permanently. For patients in rural and regional North Tasmania, accessing consistent clinic-based physiotherapy during this period is often not practical. Home-based physiotherapy solves that problem directly.

This guide walks you through what to expect at each stage of knee replacement recovery — week by week — and explains how a home physiotherapist supports you through every phase, right in your own home.

Important medical disclaimer

This guide provides general information about knee replacement recovery and is not a substitute for advice from your surgeon or treating physiotherapist. Recovery timelines vary based on surgical technique, your age, overall health, pre-operative fitness, and whether you had a total or partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement. Always follow the specific instructions given by your surgical team.

Who this guide is for

This article is for people in North Tasmania who are preparing for or recovering from a total knee replacement, and their family members and carers. It is particularly relevant for those in rural areas — including George Town, Scottsdale, Ringarooma, Longford, and the Tamar Valley — where attending a clinic in the early post-operative weeks is not practical.

Before Surgery: Prehabilitation Matters More Than You Think

The best time to start your knee replacement recovery is before your operation. Research consistently shows that patients who complete targeted strengthening and mobility work in the weeks leading up to surgery — called prehabilitation or 'prehab' — recover faster, regain range of motion sooner, and require less pain medication in the acute post-operative period.

A pre-operative home physiotherapy visit from Physio to Home can help you:

• Strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles that will be critical to your recovery — these muscles weaken rapidly after surgery, and starting from a stronger baseline makes an enormous difference

• Practise the exercises you will need to do immediately after surgery so they feel familiar rather than foreign when you are in pain and fatigued

• Make your home safer and more recovery-ready — adjusting furniture heights, sourcing essential equipment such as a raised toilet seat, shower stool, and ice packs

• Learn what to expect in the first week so that hospital discharge is less overwhelming

If you are on a waiting list for knee replacement surgery in Tasmania, contact us now to arrange a prehab visit. The evidence for its benefit is strong, and the investment of one or two pre-operative sessions can meaningfully shorten your total recovery time.

Knee Replacement Recovery: Week by Week

The timeline below reflects typical recovery for a standard total knee replacement. Your surgeon's specific instructions always take priority over general timelines.

Week 1 — Days 1 to 7

Hospital discharge and getting home safely

Goals for this phase

• Move safely around your home with your walking aid (frame or crutches)
• Manage pain and swelling with medication, ice, and elevation
• Begin bending and straightening the knee — even small gains matter enormously this week
• Perform ankle and calf exercises to prevent blood clots (DVT)

Physiotherapy focus

• Ankle pumps and quadriceps sets — begin within 24 hours of surgery
• Heel slides: lying on your back, slowly slide your heel toward your body to bend the knee, then straighten
• Knee extension work: lying flat, place a rolled towel under the ankle and allow gravity to straighten the knee fully — this is critical and often overlooked
• Sitting to standing with correct technique and appropriate use of the walking frame
• Short walks inside the home — building from a few metres to room-to-room

A critical point about range of motion in Week 1

Regaining the ability to fully straighten the knee (full extension) is just as important as bending it — and it must be prioritised from Day 1. A knee that cannot fully straighten causes abnormal gait, knee pain, and long-term functional problems. Your physiotherapist will assess this at every visit.

Watch for these warning signs in Week 1

Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience: sudden increase in pain or warmth in the calf (possible DVT), wound discharge, increasing redness spreading from the wound, fever above 38°C, or sudden shortness of breath.

Weeks 2 to 3 — Days 8 to 21

Building range of motion and independence at home

Goals for this phase

• Achieve approximately 90 degrees of knee bend — enough to sit comfortably in a standard chair and climb stairs
• Walk independently inside the home with a walking aid for increasing distances
• Manage daily activities including showering, dressing, and light meal preparation
• Reduce pain medication as directed by your GP

Physiotherapy focus

• Progressive heel slides and seated knee bends — working toward and beyond 90 degrees
• Standing knee exercises: mini squats at the bench, step-ups onto a low step
• Gait retraining — correcting the stiff-legged walking pattern that develops to protect a painful knee
• Stair practice: leading with the stronger leg going up, the operated leg going down
• Home environment review: identifying trip hazards, assessing bathroom safety, confirming furniture heights are appropriate

Why home physio is especially valuable in weeks 2 and 3

This is the period when range of motion gains are most rapid — and most at risk of being lost. Hospital follow-up has typically ended, but most patients cannot yet drive to a clinic. A home visit fills this critical gap, ensuring your knee bending programme is progressing at the right pace and that any issues with swelling, pain, or movement are caught and addressed early.

Swelling management at home

Swelling after knee replacement is normal and can persist for several months. The most effective home strategies are: elevating the leg above heart level for 20–30 minutes several times per day, applying ice wrapped in a cloth for 15–20 minutes after exercise, and avoiding prolonged standing or sitting with the knee dependent. Your physiotherapist will review your swelling at each visit and adjust your exercise load accordingly.

Weeks 4 to 6 — Days 22 to 42

Increasing independence and outdoor mobility

Goals for this phase

• Achieve 100–110 degrees of knee bend — enough for most daily activities including sitting in a car
• Walk outdoors on flat ground for gradually increasing distances
• Progress from a walking frame to a single crutch or walking stick if cleared by your surgeon
• Manage most daily living tasks independently
• Attend your 6-week surgical follow-up appointment

Physiotherapy focus

• Progressive lower limb strengthening: wall squats, step-ups onto a higher step, bridging, calf raises
• Balance and proprioception exercises: weight shifting, single-leg stance with support
• Walking programme: structured outdoor walks building from 5 to 20 minutes
• Functional practice: getting in and out of a car correctly, navigating uneven surfaces, climbing a full flight of stairs with a reciprocal pattern

Weeks 6 to 12 — The Strengthening Phase

Rebuilding strength and returning to normal life

Goals for this phase

• Return to driving (typically 6–8 weeks post-op, confirmed by surgeon — right knee replacement requires longer than left)
• Walk without a walking aid on flat, familiar surfaces
• Achieve 120 degrees or more of knee bend
• Return to light household tasks including shopping, gardening, and community activities

Physiotherapy focus

• Progressive resistance exercises targeting quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles
• Balance training without upper limb support
• Functional strength work: carrying light loads, negotiating slopes and kerbs
• Hydrotherapy if accessible — water-based exercise at this stage is excellent for building strength and range of motion while minimising joint load
• Stationary cycling if available — an ideal low-impact exercise for knee replacement rehabilitation

A note on rural access from Week 6 onward

Once you are cleared to drive, some patients transition to clinic-based physiotherapy. However, many of our North Tasmania patients in areas like Scottsdale, Ringarooma, and the Tamar Valley continue with home visits throughout this phase due to distance. Home physiotherapy remains just as effective and can be funded through My Aged Care, Medicare, and private health insurance.

3 to 6 Months — Full Recovery

Return to activities and long-term joint health

Goals for this phase

• Walk without any aid on all surfaces including uneven ground and inclines
• Achieve full or near-full range of motion (typically 120–130 degrees of bend)
• Return to recreational activities such as golf, swimming, cycling, bowls, and light gardening
• Experience dramatically less knee pain than before surgery

Physiotherapy focus

• Sport and activity-specific training based on your personal goals
• Falls prevention programme — knee replacement patients have a temporarily elevated fall risk and benefit from a formal balance programme, particularly in the first year post-surgery
• Long-term home exercise programme for ongoing quadriceps maintenance and joint health
• Annual check-in physiotherapy visit to review strength, range of motion, and activity levels

Swelling, Stiffness, and What Is Normal

Knee replacement recovery involves a level of swelling, stiffness, and discomfort that surprises many patients — particularly because the knee often feels worse in the short term than before surgery. This is normal, and it does not mean something has gone wrong.

Swelling is one of the body's natural responses to surgery and can persist for three to six months, and sometimes longer. It typically peaks at around two to three weeks, then gradually subsides. Elevation, ice, and activity pacing are the most effective management strategies.

Stiffness is most pronounced in the morning and after prolonged sitting. The best remedy is gentle movement — short walks, ankle pumps, and knee bending exercises — rather than rest.

Clicking and crepitus — a clicking or grinding sensation inside the knee — is common after knee replacement and is almost always normal. The new joint surfaces behave differently to natural cartilage during the early settling-in period.

Persistent pain beyond three months that is worsening rather than improving warrants review by your surgeon and physiotherapist. Most post-operative pain follows a predictable improvement curve — deviations from that are worth investigating promptly.

Why Home Physiotherapy After Knee Replacement Is the Right Choice for Rural Tasmanians

The evidence for early, consistent physiotherapy after knee replacement is unambiguous — patients who receive regular, supervised physiotherapy in the first 12 weeks post-operatively regain range of motion faster, have better function at one year, and are less likely to require manipulation under anaesthesia for stiffness. The challenge for rural Tasmanians is accessing that physiotherapy consistently.

Home-based physiotherapy solves this directly. For patients in North Tasmania, it means:

• No reliance on family members to drive to Launceston for clinic appointments in the first 6 weeks when driving is not permitted

• Physiotherapy tailored to your actual home environment — your specific stairs, bathroom, chair heights, and daily routine

• No risk of fatigue or pain flares from long car journeys during the acute recovery phase

• Consistent care from the same physiotherapist across the full recovery arc

• Visits timed to your energy levels and recovery — not fixed clinic appointment slots that may not align with how you are feeling on a given day

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does full recovery from a knee replacement take?

Most patients are walking without a walking aid by 6–12 weeks and return to most daily activities by 3 months. Full recovery — including return to recreational activities and achievement of final range of motion — typically takes 6–12 months. The knee continues to improve for up to two years post-surgery, although the most significant gains occur in the first three months.

When can I drive again after a knee replacement?

For a right knee replacement, most surgeons clear patients to drive at 6–8 weeks, provided you are no longer taking strong opioid pain medications and can perform an emergency stop safely. A left knee replacement may be cleared earlier — sometimes as soon as four weeks — as the left leg controls the clutch (in manual vehicles) or rests during driving. Always confirm with your surgeon before getting behind the wheel.

Is home physiotherapy after knee replacement covered by Medicare or My Aged Care?

Yes, in most cases. If your GP sets up a GP Management Plan (also called a Team Care Arrangement), you are entitled to up to five Medicare-rebated physiotherapy sessions per year. If you receive a Home Care Package through My Aged Care, physiotherapy is a covered service. Private health extras cover applies for most policies. Contact Physio to Home and we will check your specific entitlements before your first visit.

What is manipulation under anaesthesia and how do I avoid it?

Manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) is a procedure where a surgeon manually breaks down scar tissue that has formed inside the knee, limiting bend. It is typically performed between 6 and 12 weeks post-operatively when a patient has failed to progress beyond 90 degrees of bend despite physiotherapy. The best way to avoid it is consistent, daily range of motion exercises from Day 1 — something a home physiotherapist will guide and monitor closely at each visit.

Can I do my knee replacement physiotherapy entirely at home in North Tasmania?

Yes. The full post-operative rehabilitation programme — from the first day home through to six-month strength maintenance — can be delivered entirely in your home. Physio to Home covers North Tasmania including Launceston, George Town, Scottsdale, Ringarooma, Longford, and surrounding rural areas. Contact us to confirm service availability in your specific location.

What equipment do I need at home before I come home from hospital?

Before discharge, ensure you have: a raised toilet seat, a shower stool or chair, a long-handled reacher or grabber, a non-slip bath mat, a supply of ice packs or a bag of frozen peas, and a firm chair with armrests that you can push up from easily. Your physiotherapist can advise on sourcing these in North Tasmania or assist in arranging them through your My Aged Care package if applicable.

Recovering from Knee Replacement in North Tasmania?

Whether you are on the waiting list and want to start prehab now, or you have just come home from hospital and need physiotherapy this week — Physio to Home is here. We provide AHPRA-registered, evidence-based knee replacement rehabilitation in your own home, funded through Medicare, My Aged Care, NDIS, and private health insurance.

Book your first home visit today — we cover all of North Tasmania →

About the Author

Michael Ghattas, DPT

AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | 18 Years Clinical Experience

Michael is the founder of Physio to Home, a mobile physiotherapy practice serving older adults and rural residents across North Tasmania. He specialises in post-surgical rehabilitation, falls prevention, and chronic pain management delivered entirely in the home setting.

References & Further Reading

Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Annual Report 2023. AOA, 2023.

Beaupre LA, et al. Prehabilitation before total knee arthroplasty increases strength and function in older adults with osteoarthritis. *Journal of Rheumatology*, 2004.

Westby MD & Backman CL. Patient and health professional views on rehabilitation practices and outcomes following total hip and knee arthroplasty. *Physiotherapy Canada*, 2010.

Australian Physiotherapy Association. Clinical guidelines for post-operative knee rehabilitation. APA, 2023.

My Aged Care. Home Care Packages Program. Commonwealth of Australia, 2025. www.myagedcare.gov.au