Guide to Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Activity Guidelines

Ask your orthopaedic surgeon about any sports or activities you wish to do. The following are guidelines only.

Suitable during First 3 Months after Surgery

1. Walking
2. Swimming (after discussion with your surgeon)
3. Cycling on a stationary bicycle with the seat positioned high enough to avoid bending the knee excessively

Suitable Activities after 3 Months

1. Swimming (avoid twisting motions such as whip kick)
2. Golf
3. Cycling on a regular bicycle with the seat positioned high enough to avoid bending the knee excessively
4. Some types of dancing
5. Gardening with raised beds or long-handled tools or devices
6. Aquatic exercise and low-impact aerobics    

Activities Not Recommended

• Lifting and pushing heavy objects (more than 11 kg. or 25 lbs.)
• Contact sports
• Any activities involving fast or sudden stopping and starting, twisting or jarring, jumping
• Running, tennis, badminton, squash
• Modern dance (disco, tango, twist)
• Downhill skiing
• Some gym activities such as:
  • High-impact aerobics
  • Heavy weight-lifting

 

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