This may be painful but must be done in order to achieve your goals. It will not cause any damage to your incision or the joint replacement. Within 2 to 3 days, you will begin to walk with a walker or crutches. You will be taught how to climb stairs before you go home. The average length of stay in hospital following a total knee replacement is about 7 days.
Most people go directly home on discharge and manage very well.
Emphasis continues to be on gaining movement, both bending and straightening, improving the strength of the thigh muscles, and improving walking . It is good to go for a walk everyday. In good weather when sidewalks are free of ice, walk outside. In poor weather, walk in the hallway of an apartment building or in a shopping mall when it's not busy. The knee will continue to be warm and swollen for several weeks following surgery, and variable discomfort will be present.