When Can I Return to Sport After a Knee Replacement?
- Emma Glynn
- Jun 30, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
By Emma Glynn - APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist | Clinical Exercise Physiologist
“Can I ever play tennis again?” “When can I get back to golf?”
If you’ve asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone. Returning to sport after total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most common- and confusing-topics in joint replacement rehab.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
Some people are told 3 months. Others hear 6 months or even 12. But here’s the truth: there’s no single timeline that works for everyone.
Instead, your return to sport should be guided by how your body is recovering- not just how many months it’s been. That means:
Regaining strength (especially in the quads and glutes)
Restoring range of motion and balance
Building control and confidence with daily tasks
And yes, for some sports, you’ll also need sport-specific readiness testing (Witjes et al., 2016).
Why Generic Timelines Don’t Work
Let’s say you hit the 12-week mark post-op. You feel okay, so you head back to tennis or your weekly bushwalk. But within days, your knee swells, your gait’s off, and pain kicks in.
It’s not a setback- it’s a sign your knee wasn’t ready for that level of impact.
Returning to sport too soon (or without a plan) increases your risk of:
Poor movement mechanics
Joint overload or irritation
Swelling that lingers
Losing confidence in your new joint (Mehin et al., 2012)
It’s not just about avoiding injury- it’s about getting the most out of your replacement.
The Hip & Knee Physio's Guide to Return to Sport Protocol: A Better Way Forward
That’s why I created the Return to Sport After Knee Replacement – The Hip & Knee Physio's Guide. This isn’t a fluffy, one-size-fits-all pamphlet. It’s a structured, milestone-based roadmap designed to give patients, physios, and surgeons a shared language- and a clear way forward.
It includes:
Phased recovery stages based on function- not time
Objective tests for strength, balance, and control
Sport-specific recommendations (low- and high-impact)
A collaborative model to use with your physio or specialist
Is Sport Safe After a Knee Replacement?
For most people: yes- with the right rehab.
Low-impact sports like golf, swimming, cycling, and walking are widely supported post-TKR (AAOS guidelines; ACSM, 2018).
Higher-impact sports like skiing, singles tennis, or running carry more joint load, but they’re not always off the table. If you meet strength and control benchmarks, and your surgeon agrees, a return might still be possible (Witjes et al., 2016).
What matters most is how you return- not just when.
Common Mistakes That Delay Return to Sport
Skipping proper rehab - or stopping once the pain goes
Returning based on time, not performance
Avoiding movement out of fear, leading to weakness and hesitation
Rehab should progress from daily tasks to dynamic movement to sport-specific drills. Each step matters.
What’s Next?
If you’re not sure whether your knee is ready- or you feel stuck between recovery and return- it’s time for clarity.
✅ Download the Return to Sport Post TKR Protocol now - and see what a safe, evidence-informed pathway actually looks like.
Returning to sport after a knee replacement doesn’t have to be confusing or risky. The key is having the right plan- and knowing when your body is ready.
If you're unsure what your next step should be, Book a consult with me, Emma, at The Hip and Knee Physio to get a tailored recovery plan that suits your goals.
👉 Call now on 9978 9833 or book online to take the first step toward pain-free movement.
Not sure what’s behind your hip or knee pain?
Take this free, 60-second quiz created by APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Emma Glynn. It’s designed to help you identify the most likely cause of your pain — from fat pad irritation to osteoarthritis — and guide your next step.
👉 Take the quiz now and get tailored insights to move forward with confidence.
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Disclaimer
The content provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
While The Hip and Knee Physio strives to present accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee results or outcomes based on the information provided. Any exercises, strategies, or recommendations featured on this site should not be considered a personalised treatment plan.
Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider before starting any exercise program, particularly if you are experiencing pain, injury, or a pre-existing medical condition.
Use of this website does not create a physiotherapist–patient relationship. The Hip and Knee Physio accepts no responsibility for any injury or loss arising from reliance on or use of this information.
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References:
Witjes, S., Gouttebarge, V., Kuijer, P. P., van Geenen, R. C., & Poolman, R. W. (2016). Return to sports and physical activity after total and unicondylar knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 46(2), 269–292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0421-9
Mehin, R., Jones, B., & Zhu, Q. (2012). Sport participation following joint replacement. Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 43(3), 471–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocl.2012.03.003
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). (2021). Total Knee Replacement Exercise Guide. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org
American College of Sports Medicine. (2018). ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription (10th ed.).
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