Activity Guidelines
As with any surgery, there are guidelines as to what activities you can participate in at certain times after surgery. For some individuals, some of the activities listed may never be appropriate for them to participate in. Please consult with your surgeon.
First six weeks
Walking with appropriate gait aid in and outdoors
After knee surgery, you may begin:
- Stationary upright or recumbent bicycle
- Treadmill walking
After six weeks
- Stationary upright or recumbent bicycle.
- Treadmill walking.
- Driving a car.
- May begin gentle exercising in the water. Please discuss with your physiotherapist before attempting.
After 12 weeks
- Golfing
- Bicycling
- Bowling
- Water aerobics
- Swimming
- Rowing
- Slow dancing
- Gardening with assistive devices and stool
Long-term after surgery
- Low impact aerobics
- Ballroom, jazz and square dancing
With previous experience
- Doubles tennis
- Recreational ice skating or rollerblading
- Recreational or light downhill skiing
- Cross country skiing
- Road cycling
- Weight machines
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
Activities to avoid
- Do not lift objects more than 50 pounds repeatedly.
- Avoid jogging, basketball or any sports that are high impact and involve twisting and pivoting on the new knee.
- Avoid HEAVY weightlifting or training.
