Average Recovery Time After Knee Surgery

There are a number of different surgeries for which varying lengths of recovery time are required. Since the knee is a weight-bearing body part, patients should follow recovery directions to allow for proper healing. Most patients require physical therapy at some point following knee surgery.

Arthroscopy

• Man doing physical therapy

  Arthroscopy knee surgery is done on an outpatient basis and is used to diagnose knee problems and provide treatments such as removing torn cartilage, repairing ligaments and taking out bone fragments. A small incision is made on the knee, through which the surgeon operates. It should take about six to eight weeks for patients to recover fully from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Recovery

• Man with legs up

  The leg should remain elevated and iced for the first few days following outpatient surgery. After seeing the surgeon for the post-surgical examination, most healthy people can start walking on the leg shortly thereafter. Some people will need to use a cane or crutches and perform leg strengthening physical therapy exercises for a few weeks.

Anthroplasty

• Woman walking with crutches

  Reconstructive knee surgery, or anthroplasty, involves replacing the knee joint cartilage with metal or plastic and is a much more complicated operation. A hospital stay of three to seven days is required following a knee replacement procedure. The patient must be able to get out of bed and walk with crutches before being discharged.

Follow Up

• Man with physical therapist

  Patients can begin to bear weight on the repaired knee in about three weeks following surgery. They should keep the leg elevated whenever possible and use ice to reduce swelling. Intensive physical therapy usually is required after anthroplasty.

Assistance

• Nurses at recovery center

  A person who has had knee replacement surgery needs assistance for at least two to three weeks while at home. Some people who do not have in-home caregivers may need to spend a couple weeks in a rehabilitation center.

Full Recovery

• Couple walking on beach

  Patients should see complete restoration of their leg within six to 12 months if they follow the physical therapy regimen and do not re-injure the knee by doing certain activities too soon after surgery.