Everything You Need to Know About Knee Replacement
What is Knee Replacement?
Knee replacement (also called knee arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged or worn-out parts of the knee joint with artificial components. It’s usually done when someone has severe arthritis or long-term knee damage that doesn’t improve with other treatments. The goal is to reduce pain, improve movement, and restore function.
An analogy…
Think of the knee like a door hinge that’s become rusty and worn out. When oiling or repairing the hinge no longer works, you replace it with a new, smooth-moving hinge. That’s what a knee replacement does. It swaps out the damaged parts for new ones that move better and hurt less.
What are other names that knee replacement can be called?
- Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
- Total Knee Arthroplasty
- Knee Replacement Surgery
- Knee Resurfacing (in some cases)
What causes knee replacement to be needed?
- Severe osteoarthritis (most common reason)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis (after injury)
- Knee deformity or instability
- Long-term stiffness and limited mobility
- Chronic pain that doesn’t improve with physio, medication, or injections
What are the signs and symptoms that might lead to knee replacement?
- Constant knee pain, even at rest or during the night
- Difficulty walking, standing, or climbing stairs
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Swelling and inflammation that doesn’t go away
- Grinding, clicking, or bone-on-bone sensation
- Significant change in leg alignment (e.g. bow-legged or knock-kneed)
What tests are used to diagnose issues that need knee replacement?
- X-rays: show joint space loss, bone spurs, and cartilage wear
- MRI or CT scan: sometimes used for more detailed images
- Physical exam: checks movement, alignment, and joint stability
- Patient history: important to determine how symptoms affect daily life and mobility
How long does knee replacement take to heal?
- Hospital stay: usually 1–3 days
- Walking with a walker or crutches: within days
- Returning to light daily activities: 4–6 weeks
- Resuming most activities (including driving and walking unaided): 6–12 weeks
- Full recovery and strength: often takes 6 months to a year
How does knee replacement happen?
During surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with metal and plastic implants. These components are shaped to mimic the normal movement of the knee. The surgeon ensures proper alignment and stability, then closes the incision. You’ll begin moving the knee with help shortly after surgery.
What treatment can help after knee replacement?
- Pain management with medication, ice, and elevation
- Physiotherapy to restore movement, strength, and balance
- Manual therapy to improve flexibility and reduce scar tightness
- Progressive strength exercises for quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves
- Walking with assistive devices
- Daily stretching to prevent stiffness
- Monitoring for swelling, infection, or wound healing issues
What exercises or stretches can I do for knee replacement?
- Ankle pumps and quad sets (immediately post-surgery)
- Heel slides to restore knee bending
- Straight leg raises to strengthen the thigh
- Seated knee extensions
- Bridges and step-ups in later rehab
- Stationary bike or walking in a pool (as recovery progresses)
- Stretching for calves, hamstrings, and hip flexors
What products can help with a knee replacement?
We don't offer magic fixes or cures, but a sustainable approach to back pain.
Our Osteopaths will offer you a road map to help you take control of your back pain and feel great again.
BOOK YOUR OSTEOPATH VISIT TODAY
Book a Time with Dr Luke Madden Below
Book a Time with Dr Melinda Madden Below
Already have an account?
Book as a guest
- Book an Appointment
A hip flexor strain happens when one of the muscles at the front of your hip, mainly the iliopsoas or rectus femoris, gets overstretched or torn. It’s a common injury in sports that involve kicking, sprinting, or sudden movements, causing pain at the front of the hip or groin.
An analogy…
Think of the hip flexor muscles like strong elastic bands that lift your knee toward your chest. If they are stretched too quickly or too far, they can tear like a snapping rubber band.
What are other names that a hip flexor strain can be called?
Hip Flexor Injury, Iliopsoas Strain, Psoas Strain, Hip Flexor Tear, Strained Iliopsoas Muscle, Torn Iliopsoas Muscle, Pulled Hip Flexor
What causes a hip flexor strain?
The hip flexors are a group of muscles that help you lift your thigh toward your body. A strain happens when the muscle fibres are overloaded, usually from a sudden burst of force or a rapid stretch beyond their limit. This causes small (or large) tears in the muscle or its tendon near the pelvis.
What are the signs and symptoms of a hip flexor strain?
- Sharp pain at the front of the hip or groin area
- Tenderness when pressing the hip flexor muscles
- Pain with lifting the knee, sprinting, kicking, or climbing stairs
- Stiffness or weakness in the hip, especially when bending forward
- Swelling or bruising in the front of the hip
- Pain when stretching the hip backward
What tests are used to diagnose a hip flexor strain?
Palpation: Feeling for tenderness in the front of the hip
Resisted hip flexion test: Pain when lifting the knee against resistance
Stretching tests: Extending the hip backward reproduces symptoms
How long does a hip flexor strain take to heal?
Grade 1 (mild) strains often heal in 1 to 2 weeks. Grade 2 (moderate) strains usually take 3 to 6 weeks. Grade 3 (severe) strains (significant tearing) can take 8 to 12 weeks or more to fully recover.
How does a hip flexor strain happen?
- Sudden sprinting or kicking movements
- Explosive acceleration or direction changes
- Tight hip flexor muscles
- Poor warm-up or muscle preparation
- Weak glutes and core, causing the hip flexors to overwork
- Fatigue or previous hip injuries increasing the risk
What treatment can help a hip flexor strain?
- Relative rest from aggravating activities early on
- Ice application for the first 48–72 hours to control swelling
- Manual therapy (massage, dry needling, and stretching)
- Progressive strengthening and controlled stretching of the hip flexors
- Postural retraining and core strengthening
- Gradual return to running, kicking, and sport-specific drills
What exercises or stretches can I do for a hip flexor strain?
- Isometric hip flexor holds
- Glute and core strengthening exercises
- Gentle hip flexor stretches
- Straight leg raises to rebuild control
What products can help with a hip flexor strain?