Knee Replacement (TKR) Recovery at Home: A Week-by-Week Guide

Many patients from Srikakulam have their knee replacement in Visakhapatnam and then come home, often without a clear rehab plan. This guide gives a general outline. Your surgeon's instructions always come first.

Weeks 0–2: protect and start moving

• Ankle pumps: move your feet up and down 20 times every hour you are awake.
• Quadriceps sets: press the back of the knee into the bed and hold for 5 seconds.
• Straight leg raise: tighten the thigh and lift the straight leg a hand's height.
• Heel slides: slowly bend the knee by sliding your heel towards you.
• Walk short distances in the house with a walker.
• Target: knee straight (0°) and bending around 90°.

Weeks 3–6: build strength

• Sitting knee bends, with your foot sliding back under the chair
• Mini squats holding the kitchen counter
• Step-ups on the lowest stair
• Progress from walker to a single stick as advised
• Target: bending of 100–110°, walking around the house without a walker

Weeks 7–12: back to normal life

• Longer walks outside on even ground
• Climbing stairs foot over foot
• Balance practice standing on one leg near a wall
• Getting up from low seats and the floor (only if your surgeon permits)

Warning signs: call your doctor

• Increasing redness, heat or discharge from the wound
• Fever
• Sudden calf pain or swelling, or breathlessness

Why home physiotherapy helps

You practise on your own stairs, toilet and cot height. The therapist measures your bend every week, so you can see the numbers improve, and that motivation matters.