Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery can feel daunting, but the first week of recovery follows a fairly predictable pattern. Knowing what to expect helps reduce anxiety and sets you up to engage confidently in your early physiotherapy — which plays a huge role in your long-term outcome.

Days 1-2: Rest, Pain Management, and Early Movement

Immediately after surgery, the focus is on pain control and beginning very gentle movement — often with physiotherapy support starting the same day or the day after. Simple ankle pumps and assisted knee bends help prevent stiffness and support circulation.

Days 3-4: Building Independence

Most patients begin practicing getting in and out of bed, standing, and short walks with a walker or crutches during this window. Swelling is usually most noticeable here, and ice, elevation, and gentle movement all help manage it.

Days 5-7: Increasing Mobility and Confidence

By the end of the first week, walking distances typically increase, and many patients start practicing stairs under supervision. Physiotherapy exercises during this stage focus on regaining knee bend (flexion) and straightening (extension), both essential for normal walking mechanics later.

What's Normal vs. What Needs Attention

Some swelling, stiffness, and discomfort are expected throughout the first week. However, contact your surgical team promptly if you notice increasing redness, fever, sudden severe pain, or the knee feeling unstable — these can indicate complications that need medical attention.

Why Early Physiotherapy Matters

The exercises done in this first week directly influence how much knee motion you regain long-term. Scar tissue forms quickly after surgery, and gentle, consistent movement in these early days helps prevent stiffness that becomes much harder to treat later. This is exactly why home-based physiotherapy in this period — rather than waiting for a clinic appointment days later — can make a meaningful difference in recovery speed.