Partial Knee Replacement Recovery

Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board

Partial knee replacement recovery will vary from person to person but is generally very good with 92% of partial knee replacements lasting at least twenty years. 

If you are about to have a partial knee replacement, be encouraged. People are usually up and about really quickly after surgery and are home within a few days.

You can usually get up the same day as your operation and can start rehab immediately. 

Partial knee replacement recovery is usually pretty quick. You are often able to get up and walk around just a few hours after the operation, if not the next day. You can usually put your full weight on the leg straight away, but you may need crutches or a stick to help for the first few days.

You will start your exercises as soon as possible after your partial knee replacement and will progress through the rehab programme as instructed by your physical therapist. People are usually discharged home after 24 hours, but may be kept in for a couple of days if needed.

The main focus in the first week of partial knee replacement recovery is:

1. Walking: to be able to get up and about independently gradually taking more weight on your operated leg
2. Knee Mobility: to get the knee moving as soon as possible gradually increasing the range of movement and strength
3. Pain Control: to keep your pain under control

People are often quite nervous about getting up and down stairs after partial knee replacement surgery, but there are some really simple things you can do to make it much easier. LEARN MORE >

Usually with partial knee replacement recovery, after 3-6 weeks you will likely:

• be walking normally without any aids
• be able to drive
• have only minimal or no pain at all
• be able to fully bend and straighten your knee

Within 3 months you are likely to be back to all your normal activities and extra ones as you will no longer be limited by your arthritis. Full partial knee replacement recovery can continue for up to 2 years.

Knee replacement rehab exercises help to increase the amount of movement at your knee, so you can bend and straighten it fully, as well as improving strength of your knee muscles and stability of the knee. These all help to make your daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs easier and less painful.

Partial knee replacement recovery will be largely impacted by how much you comply with your rehab program. If you exercise regularly, you should end up with a very strong, mobile knee that allows you to do virtually anything you want.

If however you don’t exercise your knee you run the risk of developing long-term stiffness and weakness in your knee which will affect day-to-day activities such as walking and climbing stairs.

Visit the knee replacement exercises section for simple and effective exercises to do both before and after knee replacement surgery to help you get the best out of your new knee.

Partial knee replacement surgery is usually incredibly successful when done on the right patient.

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Orthopedic surgeons have strict criteria to follow when deciding if a partial knee replacement is suitable to ensure they work and Physical Therapists are specially trained to help you make the best knee replacement recovery possible.

Studies looking at partial knee replacement recovery have shown that after:

• 10 years: approx 98% of partial knee replacements are still working 
• 20 years: approx 92% are still working - 7% higher than Total Knee Replacements
  (figures for Oxford Uni Knee)

Occasionally the fittings may come loose or arthritis may develop in the other side of the knee in which case a total knee replacement will be performed. For more information see the risks and problems page.