PATIENT TOOL

Your recovery, week by week

Choose your operation and move through each phase to see how patients typically feel, what to work on, what is normal, and exactly when to call us.

An educational guide, not medical advice. Your surgeon's plan always comes first.

Recovery timeline · Dr. Vishnu Baburaj, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Aster MIMS Kannur

drvishnubaburaj.com/recovery · Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

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Step 1 · Choose your operation

Knee Replacement: the road back, phase by phase

At a glance

Hospital stay

3 to 4 nights

Walking unaided

6 to 8 weeks

Driving a car

4 to 6 weeks

Desk work

4 to 6 weeks

Feeling yourself

3 to 6 months

Step 2 · Move through your recovery

Day 0 to 1

Days 2 to 4

Weeks 1 to 2

Weeks 2 to 6

Weeks 6 to 12

Months 3 to 6

Day 0 to 1 Phase 1 of 6 · Knee Replacement

Surgery and first steps

Groggy but relieved. Most patients stand and take their first steps with a walker the same day or the next morning.

Support: Walker Driving: Not yet Work: Not yet

Focus this phase

Stand and take a few steps with the walker
Ankle pumps and deep-breathing exercises every waking hour
Begin gentle knee bending and straightening in bed

Usually normal

Swelling and warmth around the knee
Pain that needs regular medication
A poor first night of sleep

Call us if

Chest pain or sudden breathlessness (emergency)
Calf pain or tightness in either leg
Numbness that does not fade as the anaesthesia wears off

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Days 2 to 4 Phase 2 of 6 · Knee Replacement

In hospital: finding your feet

Swelling usually peaks around day two or three. You walk short distances several times a day, and most patients go home between day three and four.

Support: Walker Driving: Not yet Work: Not yet

Focus this phase

Walk to the bathroom and along the corridor with the walker
Bend the knee to about 90 degrees
Practise a few stairs with the physiotherapist before discharge

Usually normal

Bruising spreading down the shin and ankle
More swelling in the evenings
Soft clicking feelings in the new joint

Call us if

Fever above 100.4 F (38 C)
Redness spreading outward from the wound
A wound that keeps soaking its dressing

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 1 to 2 Phase 3 of 6 · Knee Replacement

Settling in at home

For many patients the hardest stretch: progress feels slow day to day but is obvious week to week. Keep to the exercise routine.

Support: Walker, then stick Driving: Not yet Work: Light desk work from home, for some

Focus this phase

Daily home physiotherapy: bending, straightening, walking practice
Elevate the leg and use ice packs for swelling
Sutures or staples usually come off around two weeks

Usually normal

Broken sleep and daytime tiredness
A knee that stays warm to the touch
Mild pain after exercise sessions

Call us if

Any discharge from the wound, or an opening edge
Fever at any point
Pain that worsens day after day instead of easing
New calf swelling or tenderness

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 2 to 6 Phase 4 of 6 · Knee Replacement

From walker to walking stick

Each week is noticeably better than the last. Walking distance grows, and the stick replaces the walker as balance returns.

Support: Stick Driving: Car around 4 to 6 weeks; two-wheelers later, ask first Work: Desk work from 4 to 6 weeks

Focus this phase

Swap the walker for a stick as balance allows
Bend past 110 degrees and straighten the knee fully
Walk outdoors a little further each day; start a stationary cycle if advised
Stairs: stronger leg leads going up, operated leg leads coming down

Usually normal

Morning stiffness that eases with movement
Swelling after longer walks
A numb patch beside the scar (common, usually permanent, harmless)

Call us if

A fall onto the operated knee
Sudden new pain, or the knee giving way
Any wound or fever sign from the earlier phases

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 6 to 12 Phase 5 of 6 · Knee Replacement

Walking free

Most patients put the stick away in this phase and walk unaided. The knee starts to feel like your own.

Support: None for most Driving: Yes, for most Work: Field and standing work from 8 to 12 weeks

Focus this phase

Wean off the stick
Build strength: cycling, swimming once the wound has fully healed, longer walks
Return to light household and community activities

Usually normal

Mild warmth and swelling, which can persist to 3 to 6 months
Kneeling feels uncomfortable (it is not harmful; use a cushion)
Occasional painless clicks

Call us if

Increasing pain or swelling without a clear reason
Fever at any point
The knee suddenly giving way

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 3 to 6 Phase 6 of 6 · Knee Replacement

Back to your life

By six months most patients have the large majority of their final result, with small gains continuing up to a year.

Support: None Driving: Yes Work: All work types, for most

Focus this phase

Long walks, swimming, cycling, golf, doubles games as comfort allows
Keep a twice-weekly strengthening habit
Attend scheduled follow-up and X-ray reviews
Running and jumping sports are generally discouraged; floor-sitting and deep squats are worth discussing with us first

Usually normal

A knee that feels slightly different from a natural knee
A mild ache after very long days

Call us if

New pain, swelling, or fever even months later. An artificial joint can be seeded by infection elsewhere in the body, so tell any doctor treating you that you have an implant

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

The matching home exercises, illustrated

Hip Replacement: the road back, phase by phase

At a glance

Hospital stay

3 to 5 nights

Walking unaided

4 to 8 weeks

Driving a car

4 to 6 weeks

Desk work

4 to 6 weeks

Feeling yourself

3 to 6 months

Step 2 · Move through your recovery

Day 0 to 1

Days 2 to 5

Weeks 1 to 2

Weeks 2 to 6

Weeks 6 to 12

Months 3 to 6

Day 0 to 1 Phase 1 of 6 · Hip Replacement

Surgery and first steps

Most patients stand and walk a few steps with a walker on the day of surgery or the next morning. The deep arthritis ache is often gone immediately, replaced by surgical soreness.

Support: Walker Driving: Not yet Work: Not yet

Focus this phase

Stand and take a few steps with the walker
Ankle pumps and breathing exercises every waking hour
Learn your movement precautions from the team

Usually normal

Thigh and buttock soreness
Swelling in the thigh
A poor first night of sleep

Call us if

Chest pain or sudden breathlessness (emergency)
Calf pain or tightness in either leg
Numbness or foot weakness that does not fade

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Days 2 to 5 Phase 2 of 6 · Hip Replacement

In hospital: moving safely

Walking further each day with the walker. Most patients go home between day three and five, confident with stairs and precautions.

Support: Walker Driving: Not yet Work: Not yet

Focus this phase

Walk the corridor and manage a few stairs with the physiotherapist
Practise getting in and out of bed and chairs safely
Understand which movements to avoid in the early weeks

Usually normal

Bruising tracking down the thigh
Evening swelling
Tiredness after physiotherapy

Call us if

Fever above 100.4 F (38 C)
Redness spreading from the wound
A wound that keeps soaking its dressing

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 1 to 2 Phase 3 of 6 · Hip Replacement

Settling in at home

Home routines take shape around the movement precautions. A raised chair and firm bed make the fortnight much easier.

Support: Walker, then stick Driving: Not yet Work: Light desk work from home, for some

Focus this phase

Daily walking practice and home exercises
Follow the movement precautions you were taught (they are usually reviewed at 6 weeks)
Sutures or staples usually come off around two weeks

Usually normal

Broken sleep
A warm thigh
Mild ache after exercise

Call us if

Wound discharge or opening
Fever at any point
Sudden severe hip pain, or the leg looking shortened or turned: treat as an emergency
New calf swelling or tenderness

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 2 to 6 Phase 4 of 6 · Hip Replacement

From walker to walking stick

Walking becomes smooth and the limp fades. Many patients move to a stick early in this phase and walk further every week.

Support: Stick Driving: Car around 4 to 6 weeks Work: Desk work from 4 to 6 weeks

Focus this phase

Swap the walker for a stick as balance allows
Walk outdoors, building distance gradually
Keep to the precautions until your team relaxes them

Usually normal

Morning stiffness that eases with movement
Mild swelling after longer walks
A numb patch near the scar

Call us if

A fall onto the operated side
Sudden severe pain or a leg that looks shortened or turned
Any wound or fever sign

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 6 to 12 Phase 5 of 6 · Hip Replacement

Walking free

Most patients walk unaided, precautions are usually relaxed at the six-week review, and daily life feels close to normal.

Support: None for most Driving: Yes, for most Work: Field and standing work from 8 to 12 weeks

Focus this phase

Wean off the stick
Build strength: cycling, swimming once the wound has fully healed
Resume light community and household activities

Usually normal

Mild ache after long days
Occasional soft clicking

Call us if

Increasing pain without a clear reason
Fever at any point
Any dislocation warning sign above

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 3 to 6 Phase 6 of 6 · Hip Replacement

Back to your life

Most patients feel close to their final result by six months: long walks, travel, and low-impact recreation are back on the table.

Support: None Driving: Yes Work: All work types, for most

Focus this phase

Long walks, swimming, cycling as comfort allows
Keep a twice-weekly strengthening habit
Attend scheduled follow-up reviews
Running and impact sports are generally discouraged; deep floor-sitting is worth discussing with us first

Usually normal

A hip that occasionally reminds you it is artificial
Mild stiffness after long sitting

Call us if

New pain, swelling, or fever even months later; tell any doctor treating you that you have an implant

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

The matching home exercises, illustrated

ACL Reconstruction: the road back, phase by phase

At a glance

Hospital stay

Day-care or 1 night

Off crutches

1 to 2 weeks

Desk work

1 to 2 weeks

Jogging

Around 3 months

Competitive sport

9 to 12 months

Step 2 · Move through your recovery

Day 0 to 1

Weeks 1 to 2

Weeks 2 to 6

Months 2 to 3

Months 4 to 6

Months 6 to 12

Day 0 to 1 Phase 1 of 6 · ACL Reconstruction

Surgery day

Usually day-care or one night. You go home on crutches with the knee bandaged, and the work starts immediately: a fully straight knee is the first prize.

Support: Crutches Driving: Not yet Work: Not yet

Focus this phase

Quadriceps squeezes and ankle pumps from day one
Get the knee fully straight when resting: heel propped, nothing under the knee
Ice and elevation to control swelling

Usually normal

A swollen, stiff knee
Bloodstained ooze into the bandage in the first day
Discomfort at the graft site (hamstring or front of knee)

Call us if

Calf pain or tightness
Fever above 100.4 F (38 C)
Numbness that does not settle

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 1 to 2 Phase 2 of 6 · ACL Reconstruction

Extension first

Swelling settles and walking improves quickly. Most patients wean off crutches within one to two weeks once the leg holds steady.

Support: Crutches, weaning Driving: Not yet Work: Desk work often possible

Focus this phase

Full straightening: equal to the other knee
Bend to around 90 degrees
Walk with a normal heel-to-toe pattern as the crutches go
Sutures usually come off around two weeks

Usually normal

Kneecap-area soreness
Swelling after being on your feet
Hamstring tightness with a hamstring graft

Call us if

The knee locking and refusing to straighten
Wound redness or discharge
Fever, or calf pain

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 2 to 6 Phase 3 of 6 · ACL Reconstruction

Range and rhythm

The knee starts feeling trustworthy for daily life. Physiotherapy shifts from protection to rebuilding motion and early strength.

Support: None for most Driving: Once you have control: usually 2 to 6 weeks, side-dependent Work: Desk work; standing work towards 6 weeks

Focus this phase

Bend past 120 degrees
Stationary cycling once the bend allows
Physio-led strength work: closed-chain exercises to start

Usually normal

Mild swelling after exercise sessions
Clicking without pain
A numb patch near the incisions

Call us if

The knee giving way
A new injury or twist
Swelling that keeps increasing

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 2 to 3 Phase 4 of 6 · ACL Reconstruction

Strength block

The gym phase. The graft is remodelling and is protected by muscle, not luck, so this block matters more than any other.

Support: None Driving: Yes, for most Work: Most work types except heavy field work

Focus this phase

Progressive strengthening of quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and calves
Balance and control drills
Straight-line jogging around month three, only if strength and swelling criteria are met

Usually normal

Muscle soreness after sessions
A knee that tires before you do

Call us if

Giving way, locking, or new swelling
Pain that stops progress week after week

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 4 to 6 Phase 5 of 6 · ACL Reconstruction

Agility and confidence

Running smooths out, direction changes return, and the knee stops occupying your thoughts.

Support: None Driving: Yes Work: All work types, for most

Focus this phase

Agility drills, hopping, and landing control
Sport-specific movement patterns
Keep building strength towards symmetry with the other leg

Usually normal

Occasional aches after hard sessions

Call us if

Any instability or giving way
Recurring swelling after training

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 6 to 12 Phase 6 of 6 · ACL Reconstruction

Return to sport, tested

Clearance is earned through testing, not the calendar. Most athletes return to competitive sport between nine and twelve months.

Support: None Driving: Yes Work: All work types

Focus this phase

Pass return-to-sport tests: hop tests and strength close to the other side
Graded return: training before matches
Continue injury-prevention work after return; it lowers re-tear risk

Usually normal

Slight difference in feel between knees for up to a year

Call us if

Any giving-way episode
A new injury: come in early rather than late

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

The matching home exercises, illustrated

Rotator Cuff Repair: the road back, phase by phase

At a glance

Hospital stay

Day-care or 1 night

In a sling

4 to 6 weeks

Desk work

1 to 2 weeks, in the sling

Driving a car

6 to 8 weeks

Overhead strength

4 to 6 months

Step 2 · Move through your recovery

Day 0 to 1

Weeks 1 to 3

Weeks 4 to 6

Weeks 6 to 12

Months 3 to 6

Months 6 to 12

Day 0 to 1 Phase 1 of 6 · Rotator Cuff Repair

Surgery day

Usually day-care or one night, home in a sling. The nerve block wears off on the first night, so expect a pain spike: take the prescribed medication before bed rather than after the pain arrives.

Support: Sling Driving: Not yet Work: Not yet Sleep: Propped up or recliner

Focus this phase

Keep the sling on as instructed
Move fingers, wrist, and elbow freely several times a day
Ice over the shoulder dressing

Usually normal

A heavy, numb arm until the block fades
Significant first-night pain when it does
Swelling around the shoulder and upper arm

Call us if

Hand swelling with numbness or colour change
Fever above 100.4 F (38 C)
Chest pain or breathlessness (emergency)

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 1 to 3 Phase 2 of 6 · Rotator Cuff Repair

Protecting the repair

The repaired tendon is healing to bone and must not be tested. The sling is your friend; sleeping propped up or in a recliner is normal and temporary.

Support: Sling, most of the day Driving: Not yet Work: Desk work possible in the sling Sleep: Propped up or recliner

Focus this phase

Pendulum and passive exercises exactly as your physiotherapist teaches
No active lifting with the operated arm, not even a teacup
Sutures usually come off around two weeks

Usually normal

Night discomfort and broken sleep
Bruising down the arm
Stiffness in the shoulder blade area

Call us if

Wound redness or discharge
Fever at any point
Sudden severe pain after a jolt or fall

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 4 to 6 Phase 3 of 6 · Rotator Cuff Repair

Weaning the sling

The sling comes off gradually, guided by the size of the repair. The arm feels weak and stiff, which is expected, not a setback.

Support: Sling, weaning off Driving: Not yet Work: Desk work Sleep: Improving; pillow support helps

Focus this phase

Assisted range-of-motion exercises
Begin using the hand for light tasks below shoulder height
Keep the elbow and neck moving freely

Usually normal

Aching at the end of the day
A shoulder that fatigues quickly

Call us if

A sudden pop with new loss of motion
Any wound or fever sign

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Weeks 6 to 12 Phase 4 of 6 · Rotator Cuff Repair

Active motion returns

The arm starts working for you again: reaching, dressing, and light daily tasks return, with strengthening starting towards the end of this phase.

Support: None Driving: Usually 6 to 8 weeks, once out of the sling with control Work: Most non-manual work Sleep: Near normal for most

Focus this phase

Active range of motion in all directions
Light strengthening from around 10 to 12 weeks, physio-led
Posture and shoulder-blade control work

Usually normal

Stiffness that eases through the day
Weakness with overhead reach

Call us if

Escalating pain rather than gradual improvement
Any sign of infection, even late

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 3 to 6 Phase 5 of 6 · Rotator Cuff Repair

Building strength

Strength work becomes the priority. Overhead activities return gradually; heavy and overhead work waits until the end of this phase.

Support: None Driving: Yes Work: Heavy or overhead work from 4 to 6 months Sleep: Normal

Focus this phase

Progressive resistance strengthening
Gradual return to overhead reach and carrying
Sport-specific or work-specific conditioning

Usually normal

Muscle soreness after sessions
Occasional twinges with awkward movements

Call us if

A new injury or fall onto the arm
Pain that stops progress week after week

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

Months 6 to 12 Phase 6 of 6 · Rotator Cuff Repair

The long game

Tendon healing is slow biology: the repair keeps maturing up to a year. Most patients are back to full activity well before then, but heavy loads deserve patience.

Support: None Driving: Yes Work: All work types Sleep: Normal

Focus this phase

Return to full activity as strength allows
Keep a shoulder maintenance routine twice a week
Attend your final review

Usually normal

Minor aches after unusually heavy days

Call us if

Any new persistent pain or weakness: earlier review beats waiting

Helpline 0497 353 8000 · Emergency 9656 111 666

The matching home exercises, illustrated

Timelines assume an uncomplicated recovery and differ from person to person. The advice of your surgeon and physiotherapist always overrides this page.

At any stage

Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or fainting are emergencies: go to the nearest casualty or call 9656 111 666. Aster MIMS Kannur runs 24/7 emergency and trauma care.

Where these timelines come from

The ranges here reflect published rehabilitation protocols and modern enhanced-recovery practice for uncomplicated surgery, the same milestones we use when planning your rehabilitation at Aster MIMS Kannur. They are ranges, not promises: age, bone quality, diabetes control, and how consistently the exercises are done all shift the curve.

At your consultation you receive a written plan specific to your operation, your knee or hip, and your life. Bring your questions; booking an OP consultation takes two minutes.

And the day of surgery itself?

These timelines begin after the operation. For the day itself, hour by hour, walk through our surgery day guide.

Your surgery day

Common questions

Recovery questions, answered

How accurate are these recovery timelines?

They are typical ranges for an uncomplicated recovery, drawn from published rehabilitation protocols and modern enhanced-recovery practice. Some patients are faster and some are slower without anything being wrong. The plan your surgeon and physiotherapist give you always takes priority over this guide.

When can I drive after knee or hip replacement?

Most patients return to driving a car between 4 and 6 weeks, once they are off strong painkillers, can sit comfortably, and can press the brake firmly in an emergency. Two-wheelers need more balance and usually come later. Confirm with us at your follow-up before you drive.

What warning signs should I never ignore during recovery?

Fever above 100.4 F (38 C), a wound that becomes red, discharges, or opens, calf pain or swelling in either leg, chest pain or breathlessness, and pain that worsens day after day instead of easing. For chest symptoms go to the nearest emergency department. For the rest, call the hospital helpline 0497 353 8000 or the emergency line 9656 111 666.

Do these timelines apply to robotic knee replacement?

Yes. Robotic assistance (the CORI system) changes how precisely the implant is positioned, not the biology of healing, so the milestones are the same. Many patients find the early weeks more comfortable, which can make the same milestones feel easier to reach.