How Much Should You Walk After Knee Replacement? 3 Key Tips for Recovery

How Much Should You Walk After Knee Replacement?

After a total knee replacement, you should walk as much as possible while following these 3 guidelines:

1. Walking should not worsen your swelling significantly.
2. It should not cause a significant increase in pain.
3. You should be able to walk without limping.

Let’s break down each of these points further.

Walking Should Not Worsen Swelling In Your Knee

It's normal for your knee to swell a bit after you put it down to walk, especially if you’ve been icing and elevating it as recommended.

However, if your knee swells dramatically and doesn’t return to baseline after icing and elevating again, you might be walking too much.

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Adjust your walking time or distance until you find a balance where the swelling doesn’t worsen significantly.

Walking Should Not Worsen Your Knee Pain

After major surgery like a knee replacement, some pain is normal when you start moving again.

However, pain that worsens significantly after walking and persists long after you stop walking should be avoided.

This may be a sign that you need to reduce your walking time or intensity.

If your pain doesn’t return to baseline shortly after resting, try walking for shorter periods or using assistive devices like a wheeled walker or cane to reduce the load on your knee.

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Why Avoiding a Limp Is Crucial After A Knee Replacement

Walking without a limp is crucial for a full recovery. If your muscles tire out and you start limping, it’s a sign that you may be overdoing it.

Progressing too quickly from a walker to a cane, or from a cane to walking unaided, can lead to a persistent limp.

This, in turn, can cause other issues, such as hip or back pain, months or even years down the road.

It’s better to use a cane for a little longer than to rush the process and risk developing a limp.

Walking with a limp can become a new habit, even after your knee pain subsides, and can lead to long-term problems.

Taking the time to recover properly and avoid limping will pay off in the long run.

Learn how to walk without a limp after knee replacement surgery.

Conclusion

Walking is a crucial part of your recovery after knee replacement surgery, but it’s important to listen to your body.

Walk as much as you can without worsening your swelling, pain, or developing a limp.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be on your way to a smoother, more effective recovery.