Knee Replacement Rehab at Home
A new knee is only as good as the rehabilitation that follows. Whether you have had a total knee replacement (TKR) or partial knee replacement (PKR), the first few weeks at home are the golden window for regaining range of movement. Miss this window, and stiffness can set in permanently.
Our HCPC-registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists deliver specialist knee replacement rehab at home across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. We help you bend, straighten, strengthen, and walk confidently — all practised on your own floors, stairs, and in your own bathroom.
Understanding Knee Replacement Recovery
Knee replacement surgery removes damaged cartilage and bone, replacing them with metal and plastic components. The operation itself is highly successful, but the artificial joint will only perform well if the surrounding muscles are strong and the knee can bend and straighten through a functional range.
In the days after surgery, it is completely normal to experience:
- Swelling and warmth — the knee typically remains swollen for weeks to months, gradually reducing with elevation and ice.
- Stiffness — the new joint needs regular movement to avoid scar tissue forming. This is why early, guided physiotherapy is so important.
- Bruising — extensive bruising down the shin and thigh is common and resolves over several weeks.
- Muscle weakness — the quadriceps (thigh muscles) will have weakened before and during surgery. Rebuilding them is central to your recovery.
Recovery is not passive. Having a specialist physio visit you at home ensures you are doing the right exercises, at the right intensity, at every stage of your healing.
Your Knee Replacement Recovery Timeline
Every person recovers at a different pace, but this is a typical progression we guide our patients through. We adjust your plan based on how your knee responds.
Weeks 1–2: Pain Management & Early Mobility
- • Managing swelling with ice, elevation, and compression
- • Achieving full knee extension (straightening) — this is the top priority
- • Gentle flexion (bending) exercises, aiming for 70–90°
- • Safe mobilisation with crutches or a frame around your home
- • Wound monitoring and care advice
Weeks 3–6: Building Strength & Flexion
- • Progressive flexion work, aiming for 100–110° by week 6
- • Quadriceps and hamstring strengthening exercises
- • Stair practice on your own staircase
- • Beginning to reduce reliance on walking aids
- • Light household tasks and short outdoor walks
Weeks 7–12: Independence & Confidence
- • Walking without aids for most patients
- • Longer walks and outdoor confidence building
- • Return to driving (typically around 6–8 weeks, subject to consultant approval)
- • Functional strength for gardening, shopping, and social activities
- • Swelling continuing to reduce
3–12 Months: Full Recovery
- • Residual swelling settles (can take up to 12 months)
- • Return to hobbies: swimming, golf, cycling, bowls
- • Maximum range of movement typically achieved by 3–6 months
- • Ongoing strength maintenance programme
- • Discharge when you are confident and independent
How Our Team Helps After Knee Replacement
By combining physiotherapy (movement and strength) with occupational therapy (daily living and home safety), we deliver a complete rehabilitation programme — not just exercises.
Physiotherapy: Restoring Movement & Strength
Knee replacement physiotherapy home visits focus on turning your new joint into a fully functional knee. Because we work in your home, every exercise has a direct, practical purpose.
- Range of movement — hands-on manual therapy, stretching, and targeted exercises to achieve full extension and functional flexion. The first 6 weeks are the critical window
- Muscle reconditioning — progressive strengthening of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles using your body weight and simple equipment
- Gait re-education — correcting your walking pattern on your own carpets, tiles, and garden paths so you walk naturally and confidently
- Stair training — practising on your staircase, teaching safe technique and building the strength to go up and down without fear
- Scar management — advice on scar tissue massage to keep the tissue supple and prevent tightness from limiting your bend
Occupational Therapy: Daily Life & Home Safety
While physiotherapy focuses on the knee itself, occupational therapy focuses on you living with it — managing daily life safely and independently throughout your recovery.
- Home safety assessment — checking for trip hazards and obstacles in your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen where most accidents happen during recovery
- Equipment prescriptions — raised toilet seats, perching stools, bed levers, and specialist seating to make daily living easier immediately
- Daily living techniques — safe methods for putting on socks, getting into the shower, and sitting on low furniture without straining your new joint
- Return to routine — a graded plan to get you back to preparing meals, hobbies, and social activities with realistic milestones
- Carer training — helping family members feel confident supporting you between visits. See our carer training service
Why Home-Based Knee Rehab Gets Better Results
Driving to an outpatient clinic with a fresh knee replacement is painful, tiring, and often impossible in the early weeks. The energy you use getting there is energy you need for your exercises.
When we come to your home, we practise the things you actually need to do: climbing your stairs, getting in and out of your bed, sitting in your armchair. This functional, real-world approach means every exercise has an immediate, practical purpose — and research shows patients who rehabilitate in their own environment regain independence faster.
Family members can also watch, learn, and ask questions, giving them the confidence to support you safely between sessions.
What to Expect from Your First Visit
You do not need a GP referral. Many families contact us before the surgery date so we can visit within days of discharge.
Initial phone discussion
We learn about your surgery type, discharge date, home setup, and any concerns. We match you with the right therapist for your needs.
Assessment at home (60-90 minutes)
Your therapist reviews your surgical notes, assesses swelling, range of movement, pain levels, and checks your home for safety. We also speak with family members if they are present.
Personalised rehabilitation plan
A clear programme with measurable goals based on your surgery, your consultant's protocol, and your personal targets. No generic exercise sheets.
Regular sessions
Most patients benefit from two sessions per week initially, reducing as strength and range improve. There are no contracts — you can adjust frequency at any time.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Advice
Some discomfort is expected during recovery, but you should contact your GP, surgeon, or NHS 111 immediately if you experience:
- Redness, heat, or fluid leaking from the wound site
- Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
- Calf pain that is hot to the touch — potential sign of DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
- A sudden inability to put weight on the operated leg
- A fever above 38°C that does not settle
What Patients Say About Post-Surgery Rehab
Independent reviews from patients we have helped recover at home after surgery. Read all our 5-star Google reviews.
"We had Seena help my 91 year old mum recover from a hip replacement operation last year. Seena was excellent at encouraging my mum to do all the appropriate exercises and getting her confidence back after her fall. We have been very pleased with the results. We have been using Seena on a weekly basis for 10 months as we see the benefit she is giving to my mum. She would not be as strong on her feet if we did not have Seena helping us. Thank you Seena."
Carole Richmond
Google Review
"Jo was excellent in supporting my 99 year old dad after he suffered a hip fracture. She supported him to get mobile and provided exercises to help him regain muscle strength. Lots of incredibly helpful suggestions and an extremely positive and encouraging therapist — we are extremely grateful!"
Annie Jenkinson
Google Review
"My daughter contacted Medella for advice after my major surgery and stroke. The receptionist was extremely helpful and felt Seena would be the right physiotherapist to help me. Seena has given a sympathetic but firm approach encouraging me to regain movement in both my arms and to also strengthen my legs. Her knowledge and expertise have been invaluable and her exercises gentle but challenging. I would highly recommend her."
Wendy Brightman
Google Review
Knee Replacement Home Visit Pricing
Knee replacement physiotherapy and occupational therapy from £60 per home visit. Your initial assessment (£120, 60-90 minutes) includes a full physical evaluation, review of your surgical protocol, and a personalised rehabilitation plan.
There are no contracts or minimum commitments. Most families start with twice-weekly sessions in the early weeks, then reduce as strength and confidence build. We invoice monthly in arrears with no upfront payment.
£120
Initial Assessment
60-90 minutes
£60
30-min Follow-up
30 minutes
£90
45-min Follow-up
45 minutes
Your Knee Rehabilitation Specialists
Our team averages 19+ years of clinical experience. Every therapist is a senior clinician — no junior staff. View all team profiles.
Naomi Patrick
Clinical Director & Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Julia Pervin
Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Seena Thomas
Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Sarah Grisenthwaite
Senior Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy
Rosie Watts
Senior Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy
Naomi Gibson
Senior Physiotherapist
PhysiotherapyFrequently Asked Questions
When should I start physiotherapy after knee replacement?
Ideally within the first week of being home. You will have been given basic exercises in hospital, but guided, hands-on physiotherapy within the first 2-5 days of discharge makes a significant difference. The first 6 weeks are the golden window for regaining range of movement — early intervention prevents scar tissue from limiting your bend. Contact us before your operation if possible so we can visit within days of you returning home.
How often will I need sessions?
Most patients benefit from two sessions per week in the early stages (weeks 1-6), reducing to once per week as strength and range improve. Some people prefer more intensive input initially. There are no contracts — you can increase, decrease, or stop sessions at any point.
When can I drive again after knee replacement?
Most surgeons advise waiting at least 6 weeks after surgery, and only once you can perform an emergency stop safely. For left knee replacements in an automatic car, this may be sooner. Your therapist can assess your readiness and advise when it is safe to begin driving again. You should also check with your insurance provider.
What equipment will I need at home?
Common items include a raised toilet seat, a perching stool for the kitchen, a bed lever, and ice packs. Some patients also benefit from a long-handled shoe horn and a sock aid. Our OTs assess your specific needs during the initial visit and can recommend and source temporary equipment quickly. Most items are only needed for the first few weeks.
Can you visit me in a care home during respite?
Yes. Many patients spend a few weeks in a residential or nursing home for convalescence after surgery. We visit you there to ensure your rehabilitation starts immediately, working alongside the care home staff. Once you return home, we continue your programme in your own environment.
Which areas do you cover?
We provide home visits across Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. This includes Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Ringwood, and the surrounding towns and villages.
Start Your Knee Recovery at Home
Do not wait weeks for NHS outpatient appointments. Contact us today to arrange your first home visit — we can usually see you within days of discharge.