Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Programme
Recovering from knee replacement surgery can feel uncertain, particularly in the early weeks when swelling, pain and reduced movement are common. During this period, the right support can make a meaningful difference to how smoothly recovery progresses.
At The Reinge Clinic, in Kenilworth, we offer a structured post-knee replacement recovery programme, designed to support this time-sensitive phase and guide progression into longer-term strength and stability. Rather than a series of isolated appointments, this programme provides everything needed for the early weeks after knee replacement. Letting you relax knowing we will keep you on track.
Early Recovery Phase (0–6 Weeks)
The first 6 weeks following knee replacement surgery are the most important in terms of the final outcome of your procedure. Our early-stage rehab program takes the guess work out of this phase, as we work with you week by week to ensure you get the best result possible.
Pain, swelling and scar management are some of the early challenges faced immediately post operatively. Our weekly home visits will help:
- To reassure you that all is progressing as normal.
- To encourage you to push your knee movement within safe limits.
- To ensure your scar heals correctly, avoiding the stiffness that often accompanies knee replacements.
Over the first 6 weeks or so Ian will help you to achieve to full knee flexion and extension, with hands on work as well as targeted strength and mobility exercises.
Scar management is essential in knee replacement recovery. We provide reassurance that your scar is healing correctly and advise when movements can be “pushed” without hindering the scar healing. A stiff scar line can create movement and pain issues later in the process, so we use hands on techniques when appropriate to help the scar soften.
We provide a professional home cryotherapy machine, helping to control pain and swelling in the early weeks. Many clients find this one of the most helpful elements. This unit is yours to keep and use both in the early stages and as function and strength increases.
It is important to ensure early balance, stability and strength are encouraged. With our weekly sessions, you will feel confident to push your knee into the movement ranges needed to ensure full return to walking and beyond. We provide a clinical level knee-support to help your knee and limit swelling in these early stages.
This is a bespoke program based on you and your knee, nothing in this program is standard.
Functional Strength & Stability Phase
As your recovery heads into the second 6-week period, the focus is on strength, stability and return to usual activities as well as sport. This second stage program is designed for people who have full knee movement and swelling under control.
If your recovery is not at this stage we would encourage you to book the early-stage program, irrespective of how many weeks post-operatively you are. Ian will assess your knee and work to get the early milestones hit, before moving on.
During this second stage we are looking at increasing the load through the knee, using exercises such as deep squats, static bikes and more challenging balance work. Many people struggle at this stage, as they are scared to load their new knee fully, as a result they don’t get the best result from their knee replacement.
The stabiliser muscles of the knee can be very problematic in the second stage of recovery. These muscles are very important when looking at walking gait. To ensure these muscles fire correctly we provide you with a clinical level TENS machine. This will allow you to stimulate these muscles and ensure they do the job of stabilising your knee correctly.
Confidence is enormously important during this stage, as is continuing to manage swelling, pain and the scar line. We can work with you in your home, or in the clinic depending on preference.
- If you are a gym member we can start to create you a specific gym program, using weights machines, as well as bikes, rowers and cross-trainers.
- Whether a gym member or not, we can give you bespoke exercises to do at home that will get your knee strong and functional. We will provide you with the necessary equipment needed, which is yours to keep.
This stage is designed to get you safely and efficiently back to full function and doing the things you love, whether gardening, walking or even running.
How the Recovery Programme Works
The programme is structured in two distinct phases, designed to reflect how recovery typically progresses after knee replacement surgery.
The first phase focuses on the early weeks following surgery, when restoring movement, controlling swelling, protecting the scar and re-establishing muscle activation are most important.
Once these early milestones are achieved, rehabilitation progresses into a second phase, focused on rebuilding strength, stability and confidence in everyday activities.
Using these programs together will give you a managed, bespoke route from initial operation to full function. We take the worry and stress out of the recovery process, enabling you to focus on the task at hand.
You can choose just to access one program or opt for both, you can access either at any stage of your recovery. If things aren’t progressing fast enough at any stage, we can come in and create a bespoke solution to get you back on track.
Who This Programme Is For
This programme is designed for individuals who want structured, expert-led support following knee replacement surgery. Typically for clients who are looking for reassurance and support, especially in the early days when pain is a limiting element.
For those who are struggling with the exercise sheet they have been given and would value one-to-one, face-to-face help to get started with post-knee replacement rehab. They may be unable to get out to the NHS exercises classes and be looking for home-based help.
It is also designed for those who have been working through the early-stage rehabilitation exercise sheets, but not getting the result they are looking for. The knee movement may be limited, the scar stiff and the pain levels still high. Their walking confidence and ability low. They may have had their 6-week check and the consultant said they aren’t where they need to be.
This program is also designed for those who have great movement but are struggling with confidence walking, unable to get back to sport or activities they love, due to pain and weakness through the leg.
There is no correct time to access these programs. As they are bespoke, we can ensure you end up on the correct pathway for your post-rehabilitation needs.
What Is Included
The programme is delivered in two defined phases, reflecting how recovery typically progresses following knee replacement surgery. Each phase provides structured clinical input over six appointments, supported by carefully selected rehabilitation tools.
Not everyone will require both phases. Your starting point depends on your stage of recovery and how your knee is responding.
Early Recovery Phase
Focuses on the first few weeks after surgery, or on people who feel they haven’t progressed as expected.
- Structured physiotherapy focused on restoring extension, functional flexion and normal walking patterns.
Swelling management and guidance to support safe early movement.
Use of dedicated cryotherapy support to assist post-operative recovery.
Clinically selected knee support to provide muscular support, reduce swelling and improve confidence.
Ongoing review, checking against expected recovery milestones.
(0–6 weeks post-surgery or for delayed early progress)
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Physiotherapy home visits
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Exercise Advice and Support
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Cryotherapy machine
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Clinical knee support
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Scar Management
Call us to discus your specific situation
Functional Strength & Stability Phase
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Progressive lower limb strength and stability training to aid stair climbing, walking and return to sport and activity.
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Targeted work to address inner quadriceps muscle inhibition, movement control and skin sensitivity needs.
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Structured stability and balance progression ensuring confidence and function return.
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Ongoing monitoring to guide safe return to higher-demand activities.
(Once early milestones are achieved or for those who feel recovery has plateaued)
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Physiotherapy home visits
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Targeted Exercise Program
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Electrotherapy machine
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Exercise Equipment
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Scar Management
Call us to discus your specific situation
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, we would ideally like to come and see you pre-operation to see how you move and function before the surgery. We can then begin your program immediately on your return home from surgery.
That will depend on your specific needs. We may start the early package with more than one session a week, before spacing it out, or we may see you once a week. We aim to provide 6 sessions, but if we need to add sessions in, that is fine and all covered by the programme.Â
Our goal is not session counting, it is getting you to where you need to be.Â
Yes, we specifically come to your house in the early rehab sessions. We would not expect you to come to us.Â
The first few weeks after knee-replacement surgery are not the time to be coming to us. This is designed as a home based service for as long as you need. Â
If you choose the later package but need home visits, that is absolutely fine.Â
If you are based in Kenilworth, Leamington Spa or Warwick, this is included in the price. If you are further afield we will need to add a small mileage charge.
Typically we provide 6 sessions of up to an hour in each package.
However, do not cap the number of sessions, if you need 12Â x 30min sessions, that is fine, if a mixture of half hour and one hour sessions are needed, that is also fine.
If we need to do a few extra sessions, that is all included in the programme.Â
Yes we can absolutely help. Ian will come and assess you to see where you are. He will then create you a bespoke programme based on the early stage plan, to get you back to where you need to be.
You can book in by emailing us or calling us directly. Ian’s number is 07917 301410.
It is important that we speak to you prior to your booking to ensure we get the correct package for you.Â
We don’t use a receptionist, so when you call or email you get directly either Ian or Gina, who can answer any questions you may have. Â
Ian is a CSP Chartered Physiotherapist and so is able to work with most insurance companies.Â
We work with most insurance companies, with the exception of BUPA and AXA. You will need to obtain authorisation before commencing your programme with us.Â
It is always best to check with your insurance company before starting treatment. If your knee replacement is being performed privately, you may need to obtain authorisation for the post-operative physiotherapy to be given by us rather than the hospital.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Helen Littlewood
October 19, 2022
Totally looked after by Ian - really reassured that he can help and support me in my goals Thank you
Hilary Hardwick
November 4, 2022
My first appointment with Ian and very impressed, I may finally get somewhere with my dodgy hip
Fiona Robinson
November 21, 2022
Really nice experience ( apart from elbow in hip…ouch)
Matt Morrisey
December 8, 2022
EXCELLENT , HELPED ME UNDERSTAND ALL MY ISSUES AND HOW TO START TO RE AJUST
Sonia Chamberlain
September 5, 2023
Gina is a brilliant therapist! Very friendly, supportive and provides a holistic approach to MSK problems.