Recovery Guide
Your Knee Replacement Recovery Timeline
A week-by-week look at what to expect after total knee replacement — ROM goals, milestones, exercises, and honest guidance for every stage.
ROM Goals
Flexion (Bending)
70–90° — goal is sitting in a chair comfortably
Extension (Straightening)
0–5° — getting close to fully straight
Key Milestones
Walk with a walker
Usually within the first day after surgery
Sit in a chair
Getting in and out of a regular chair
Use the bathroom independently
A huge early confidence boost
What to Expect
Pain and swelling are at their peak — this is completely normal.
Your knee may feel like it has a "tight band" or "iron cuff" around it.
Night pain and disrupted sleep are common. Ice and elevation help.
Small gains day-to-day. Some days feel like setbacks — that's normal too.
Recommended Exercises
Heel Slide Board
Makes heel slides smoother and less painful by eliminating friction — so you can focus on gaining flexion.
Shop on EquipCoreRecovery isn't linear
Some weeks you'll make big gains. Other weeks you'll feel like you're going backward. That's completely normal. The timeline above is a general guide — your body has its own schedule. Trust the process, do your exercises, and give yourself grace on the hard days.
Where are you in your recovery?
Measure your knee angle now and start tracking your progress.