Recovery Timeline

Total & Partial Knee Replacement

Dr. Ward uses one post-op packet for both total and partial knee replacement, so the steps below apply to both.

Partial knee: a partial knee replacement is a smaller surgery, so recovery is usually quicker: about 6 weeks, compared with about 12 weeks for a total knee replacement.

At a glance

Week by week

1. Day of surgery
   • Hospital stay: Recovery room, then the “phase two” area for about 2–4 hours. You will need to urinate before you go home. If you are staying overnight, therapy clears you before discharge.
   • Pain: Medication injected in your knee during surgery gives relief for 2 to 3 days. Start your pain medication once you feel it wear off.
   • Walking: Full weight on your leg right away, with a walker.
2. Days 1–3
   • Dressing: Ace bandage comes off on day 2. Leave the Mepilex on.
   • Pain and swelling: Stay ahead of your pain for the first 3 days. Ice machine: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
   • Blood clots: Aspirin twice a day (14 days total). Wear your compression stockings; take them off if the top band is too tight.
3. Week 1
   • Dressing: Mepilex stays on for 7 days. It can get a little wet in the shower, but do not soak it.
   • PT and exercises: Physical therapy starts the week after surgery. Home exercises: calf pumps, assisted heel slides (0–90°), straight-leg strengthening, and resting with a block under your heel.
4. Week 2
   • Dressing: Day 7: take the Mepilex off. The mesh underneath stays on and can get fully wet. Showers are OK. No pool or bath.
   • Follow-up: First visit with Dr. Ward at 10–14 days, with an X-ray at the 2-week visit.
   • Blood clots: Aspirin ends at day 14.
   • Work: Desk jobs may return at 2 weeks.
   • Scar care: Gentle scar and soft tissue massage may begin at 2 weeks.
5. Weeks 3–4
   • Dressing: The mesh comes off 3 weeks from the day of surgery. Trim it as it peels; do not pull.
   • Exercises: Bend past 90° as tolerated. Begin the stationary bike (goal: a full turn of the pedals) and upper-body exercises.
   • Walking: Walker to cane once your therapist clears you. Most people use the walker for about 1–3 weeks, then a cane until about 4–6 weeks.
   • Work: Jobs where you are mostly on your feet may return at 4 weeks.
6. Weeks 5–6
   • Exercises: Leg press, hip extension exercises, and the stationary bike with a lower seat.
   • Day 30: You may walk in a pool if the incision is completely healed. A lotion or cream with Vitamin E may now be used on the scar.
   • Follow-up: 6-week visit (no X-ray). Goal: knee bend of 115°.
   • Activity: Until 6 weeks: no lifting over 20 lbs, no ladders, avoid kneeling.
7. Weeks 7–12
   • PT: 1 to 2 times a week. Work on walking normally and taking stairs one step per stair.
   • Water: You may submerge if the incision is completely healed. Full swimming in weeks 11–12.
   • Activity: Bike, elliptical, and stair machine for conditioning. Kneel with a pad. Use caution on uneven ground.
   • Golf: Putting and chipping at about 6 weeks; full swing at about 3 months.
   • Follow-up: 12-week visit with an X-ray. Goal: knee bend of 125°.
8. Months 4–6
   • PT: You graduate from physical therapy. Keep doing your home exercises.
   • Activity: No impact activity. Progressive strengthening and balance training.
   • Goals: Full return to work and recreational activity, normal walking, and strength equal to your other leg. Swelling and stiffness keep improving for up to 1 year.

Total Hip Replacement

There are no special hip precautions after Dr. Ward’s hip replacement. You may progress your activity as you tolerate it, sleep in any position that is comfortable, and kneel any time.

At a glance

Week by week

1. Day of surgery
   • Hospital stay: Recovery room for 30–45 minutes, then the “phase two” area for 2–4 hours, or your hospital room if you are staying overnight.
   • Pain: Medication injected in your hip during surgery gives relief for 2 to 3 days. Start your pain medication once you feel it wear off.
   • Walking: Up with a walker.
2. Days 1–3
   • Pain and swelling: Stay ahead of your pain for the first 3 days. Ice: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off (never directly on skin).
   • Blood clots: Aspirin twice a day (30 days total). If you take your own blood thinner, restart it the evening of the day after surgery. Pump your ankles often.
   • Common: Bruising around the hip, buttock, and even down to the ankle is common. If you cannot urinate for more than 8 hours, go to the ER.
3. Week 1
   • Dressing: The Mepilex stays on for 7 days. It can get a little wet in the shower, but do not soak it.
   • PT: Physical therapy starts the week after surgery. Do your home exercises between sessions.
4. Week 2
   • Dressing: Day 7: take the Mepilex off. The mesh underneath stays on and can get fully wet. Showers are OK. No pool or bath.
   • Follow-up: First visit with Dr. Ward at 10–14 days, with an X-ray at the 2-week visit.
   • Work: Desk jobs: 2 weeks is the usual minimum.
   • Pain: The sharp pain usually eases after the first week or two.
5. Weeks 3–4
   • Dressing: The mesh comes off 3 weeks from the day of surgery. Trim it as it peels; do not pull.
   • Walking: Progress from a walker to a cane as tolerated. Most people use the walker for about 1–3 weeks, then a cane as needed until about 4–6 weeks.
   • Blood clots: Keep taking aspirin through day 30.
   • Work: On-your-feet jobs: 4 weeks is the usual minimum. Office jobs: most people are comfortable at 4 weeks.
6. Weeks 5–6
   • Day 30: Aspirin ends. You may walk in a pool if the incision is completely healed. A lotion or cream with Vitamin E may now be used on the scar.
   • Follow-up: 6-week visit.
   • Work: Standing jobs: most people are comfortable at 6 weeks.
7. Weeks 7–12
   • Water: You may submerge if the incision is completely healed. Lap swimming at about 6–12 weeks, once the incision is fully healed.
   • Ice: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off when the hip is swollen.
   • Golf: Putting and chipping at about 6 weeks; full swing at about 3 months.
   • Follow-up: 12-week visit with an X-ray.
   • Normal: Warmth, slight redness, and an ache with therapy are normal for up to about 3 months.
8. Months 4–6
   • PT: Physical therapy usually finishes between 3 and 6 months. Keep doing your home exercises.
   • Other side: Dr. Ward generally recommends waiting until the 3-month mark before having your other hip or knee done.
   • Recovery: Most people feel recovered by about 3 months and keep improving for up to 1 year.

Total Shoulder Replacement

You can start pendulum swings right away. Good range of motion is a key part of a successful, pain-free shoulder recovery.

At a glance

Week by week

1. Day of surgery
   • Hospital stay: Recovery room for about 30–45 minutes, then home the same day.
   • Pain: The shoulder block given before surgery gives relief for 2 to 3 days. Start your pain medication once you feel it wear off.
   • Sling: For comfort only. Stop wearing it when you are comfortable.
2. Days 1–3
   • Pain and swelling: Stay ahead of your pain for the first 3 days. Ice: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off (never directly on skin). Bruising of the shoulder and arm is expected.
   • Exercise: Pendulum swings, 3 sessions a day.
   • Blood clots: No routine blood thinner is needed after shoulder replacement. Get up and walk several times a day.
3. Week 1
   • Dressing: The Mepilex stays on for 7 days. It can get a little wet in the shower, but do not soak it.
   • PT: Physical therapy starts the week after surgery. Raise your arm forward and out to the side; you may use your other hand to help.
   • Limits: No lifting over 10 lbs. No ladders or step stools.
4. Week 2
   • Dressing: Day 7: take the Mepilex off. The mesh underneath stays on and can get fully wet. Showers are OK. No pool or bath.
   • Follow-up: First visit with Dr. Ward at 10–14 days.
   • Driving: Generally around 2 weeks, once you can hold the wheel with both hands and react quickly.
   • Work: Desk jobs: 2 weeks is the usual minimum.
   • Scar care: Gentle scar massage may begin at 2 weeks.
5. Weeks 3–4
   • Dressing: The mesh comes off 3 weeks from the day of surgery. Trim it as it peels; do not pull.
   • Exercises: Pendulums, assisted forward and side raises, and the lying “touchdown” raise with a rod. You may begin a recumbent (seated, reclined) bike.
   • Work: On-your-feet jobs: 4 weeks is the usual minimum. Office jobs: most people are comfortable at 4 weeks.
6. Weeks 5–6
   • Day 30: You may walk in a pool if the incision is completely healed. A lotion or cream with Vitamin E may now be used on the scar.
   • Follow-up: 6-week visit with X-rays.
   • Work: Standing jobs: most people are comfortable at 6 weeks.
7. Weeks 7–12
   • PT: 1 to 2 times a week. Shoulder blade strengthening; strengthening starts in weeks 11–12 as motion returns. Your therapist may add pool therapy.
   • Activity: No weight limit, but progress gradually. Elliptical (no push/pull) and treadmill walking; you may consider jogging in weeks 11–12.
   • Golf and swimming: By about 12 weeks, most people are starting to get back to golf, hiking, and swimming.
   • Follow-up: 12-week visit.
8. Months 3–6
   • PT: You graduate from therapy at around 3 months. Keep doing your home exercises.
   • Activity: Avoid contact sports until closer to 6 months or until your therapist releases you.
   • Goals: Full, pain-free motion compared with your other shoulder and a full return to work and social activities.

Knee Arthroscopy (Meniscectomy)

These steps follow Dr. Ward’s post-op packet for knee arthroscopy with meniscectomy (trimming a torn meniscus). If a different procedure was done during your arthroscopy, follow the packet you were given.

At a glance

Week by week

1. Day of surgery
   • Going home: A driver and someone to stay with you for 24 hours. Most people go home the same day, about 1–2 hours after surgery.
   • Pain: If you had a nerve block, it gives relief for 2 to 3 days. Start your pain medication once you feel it wear off.
   • Walking: Weight as tolerated, with crutches.
2. Days 1–3
   • Dressing: Leave it on for 3 days, then switch to band-aids. Keep it dry in the shower.
   • Pain and swelling: Stay ahead of your pain for the first 3 days. Ice: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
   • Exercises: Thigh and buttock tightening, straight-leg raises, calf pumps, and heel slides. Goal: knee motion from 0 to 90°.
   • Blood clots: No routine blood thinner is needed for most people. Calf pumps and walking help keep blood moving.
3. Week 1
   • Dressing: Band-aids until day 7.
   • PT: If ordered, therapy starts the week after surgery.
   • Crutches: Wean off as you are able. Most people are off crutches within about 1–2 weeks.
   • Work: Desk job: about 3–7 days. Physical job: about 4–6 weeks.
4. Week 2
   • Dressing: Incisions open to air once dry; shower lightly and pat dry. Steri-strips may come off at 14 days.
   • Follow-up: First visit with Dr. Ward at 10–14 days.
   • Driving: Once completely off crutches and no narcotics for 4 hours. Most people drive at about 1–2 weeks.
   • Scar care: Gentle scar and soft tissue massage may begin at 2 weeks.
5. Weeks 3–4
   • Exercises: Practice walking normally. Stationary bike (seat high at first). Knee extensions, partial squats (not past 90°), and quad stretches.
   • Golf: Putting and chipping at about 2–3 weeks; full swing at about 4–6 weeks.
6. Weeks 5–6
   • Exercises: Step-ups, single-leg partial knee bends, and hamstring stretches.
   • Day 30: You may walk in a pool if the incisions are healed (no aggressive kicking). Vitamin E lotion may be used on the scars.
   • Sports: Return to sports at about 6 weeks.
   • Follow-up: A 6-week visit, then as needed.
7. Weeks 7–12
   • Activity: No longer need crutches. Increase activity as tolerated; foot-flat exercise preferred. Weeks 9–10: walk up to 2–3 miles and begin leg press and squats to 90°.
   • Water: You may submerge if healed. Full swimming in weeks 11–12.
8. Months 4–6
   • Exercises: Lunges, strengthening, balance, agility, and a jogging program (increase 10–20% a week).
   • Goals: Running without pain, hopping on one leg, equal leg strength, and a full return to work and recreation.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

This timeline is for shoulder arthroscopy when no repair is done. Your sling is for comfort only. If a repair was done during your arthroscopy (for example a rotator cuff repair), follow the Rotator Cuff Repair timeline instead.

At a glance

Week by week

1. Day of surgery
   • Going home: Most people spend 1–2 hours in recovery and go home the same day. You need a driver and someone with you the first night.
   • Pain: The shoulder block gives relief for 2 to 3 days; your arm may feel numb for about 12–24 hours. Start your pain medication once you feel it wear off.
   • Sling: For comfort only.
2. Days 1–3
   • Dressing: Leave it on for 3 days, then switch to band-aids. Keep it dry in the shower.
   • Pain and swelling: Stay ahead of your pain for the first 3 days. Ice: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off (never directly on skin).
   • Exercises: Pendulum swings and forward raises with your other arm helping, 3 sessions a day.
   • Blood clots: No routine blood thinner is needed after shoulder arthroscopy. Get up and walk several times a day.
3. Week 1
   • PT: Physical therapy starts the week after surgery.
   • Sling: Stop wearing it when you are comfortable.
   • Limits: No lifting over 10 lbs. No ladders or step stools.
   • Work: Desk work or school is often possible within days to a couple of weeks.
4. Week 2
   • Dressing: Day 7: incisions open to air once dry; shower lightly and pat dry. Steri-strips may come off at 14 days.
   • Follow-up: First visit with Dr. Ward at 10–14 days.
   • Scar care: Gentle scar and soft tissue massage may begin at 2 weeks.
5. Weeks 3–4
   • Exercises: Forward and side raises with your other arm helping, plus the lying “touchdown” raise with a rod. You may begin a recumbent (seated, reclined) bike.
   • Driving: Usually possible around 2 to 3 weeks, if you can safely hold the steering wheel.
6. Weeks 5–6
   • Day 30: You may walk in a pool if the incisions are completely healed. Vitamin E lotion may be used on the scars.
   • Follow-up: 6-week visit with Dr. Ward.
7. Weeks 7–12
   • Motion: Progress range of motion as tolerated. Goals: raise the arm to 160°, rotate out to 25°, and reach behind to your lower back.
   • PT: 1 to 2 times a week. Shoulder blade strengthening; light strengthening in weeks 11–12 as motion returns.
   • Activity: No weight limit, but progress gradually; use caution overhead. Elliptical (no push/pull) and treadmill; you may consider jogging in weeks 11–12.
   • Work, golf, and swimming: Physical or overhead work: about 6–12 weeks. Golf: about 6–12 weeks. Lap swimming at about 6–12 weeks.
   • Follow-up: 12-week visit.
8. Months 3–6
   • PT: You graduate from therapy at around 3 months. Keep doing your home exercises.
   • Activity: Avoid contact sports until closer to 6 months or until your therapist releases you.
   • Goals: Full, pain-free motion and a full return to work and social activities. Full recovery: about 3–4 months.

Rotator Cuff Repair

The repaired tendon needs time to heal to the bone. For the first 6 weeks, wear your sling and do not lift the repaired arm on its own. Your other arm does the lifting during your exercises.

At a glance

Week by week

1. Day of surgery
   • Going home: Rotator cuff repair is usually done arthroscopically. Most people spend 1–2 hours in recovery and go home the same day. You need a driver and someone with you the first night.
   • Pain: The shoulder block gives relief for 2 to 3 days; your arm may feel numb for about 12–24 hours. Start your pain medication once you feel it wear off.
   • Sling: On when you are up and moving.
2. Days 1–3
   • Dressing: Leave it on for 3 days, then switch to band-aids. Keep it dry in the shower.
   • Pain and swelling: Stay ahead of your pain for the first 3 days. Ice: 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off (never directly on skin).
   • Exercises: Pendulum swings and passive forward raise (your good arm lifts) up to 90°, 3 sessions a day.
   • Blood clots: No routine blood thinner is needed after rotator cuff repair. Get up and walk several times a day.
3. Week 1
   • PT: Physical therapy starts the week after surgery.
   • Limits: Do not lift your arm on its own. No lifting over 10 lbs. No ladders.
   • Work: Desk job: about 1–2 weeks (one-handed, in the sling). Physical or overhead work: about 4–6 months.
4. Week 2
   • Dressing: Day 7: incisions open to air once dry; shower lightly and pat dry. Steri-strips may come off at 14 days.
   • Follow-up: First visit with Dr. Ward at 10–14 days.
   • Scar care: Gentle scar and soft tissue massage may begin at 2 weeks.
5. Weeks 3–4
   • Exercises: Passive raises up to 120°, plus the lying “touchdown” raise with a rod. You may begin a recumbent (seated, reclined) bike.
   • Driving: Usually possible around 2 to 3 weeks, if you can safely hold the steering wheel.
   • Sling: Week 4: wear it only when you leave the house or are in public.
6. Weeks 5–6
   • Day 30: You may walk in a pool if the incisions are completely healed. Vitamin E lotion may be used on the scars.
   • Week 6: Stop wearing the sling for good. 6-week visit with Dr. Ward.
7. Weeks 7–12
   • Motion: After 6 weeks, you may begin lifting your arm on its own. Goals: raise the arm to 160°, rotate out to 25°, and reach behind to your lower back.
   • PT: 1 to 2 times a week. Shoulder blade strengthening; light strengthening in weeks 11–12 as motion returns.
   • Activity: No weight limit, but progress gradually; use caution overhead. Elliptical (no push/pull) and treadmill; you may consider jogging in weeks 11–12.
   • Follow-up: 12-week visit.
8. Months 3–6
   • PT: You graduate from therapy at around 3 months. Keep doing your home exercises.
   • Golf: Putting and chipping at about 3–4 months; full swing at about 4–6 months.
   • Swimming laps: Lap swimming at about 4–6 months.
   • Goals: Full, pain-free motion and a full return to work and social activities; prepare to return to sports at 6 months. Full strength can take up to about 12 months.