Recovering at Home After Knee Surgery: A Week-by-Week Guide

Total knee replacement (TKR) recovery is a marathon, not a sprint—and the first six weeks set the tone.

Week 1–2: Gentle range-of-motion work and swelling management. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Week 3–4: Progressive strengthening, gait retraining, and confidence-building on stairs.

Week 5–6: Functional loading and return to daily activities.

Home-based rehab removes the biggest barrier—travel. When your specialist comes to you, sessions happen on schedule, in the environment where you actually move and live. That continuity is what turns a good surgery into a great recovery.