After a knee replacement, you’ll need to stay in hospital for up to five days. You’ll be given painkillers to help relieve any pain. There will be a tube attached to your knee to help drain any fluid that builds up around your knee. You will be encouraged to start walking around on crutches usually within 24 hours. Our physiotherapy team will teach you exercises to help strengthen your knee. You will need some help when you get home. It’s a good idea to arrange for a family member or friend to stay with you for the first few days. It can take between six and 12 weeks to recover from surgery but everyone is different. Your consultant will let you know when you can go back to everyday activities like work, driving and sport.