How Long Does Recovery Take From Partial Knee Replacement?
Daily activities at 2–4 weeks, near-normal function at 3 months, full recovery at 6–12 months.
Recovery happens in three overlapping phases. The first phase (weeks 0–2) is about wound healing, basic mobility and getting off crutches. Most patients walk unaided indoors by 2 weeks.
The second phase (weeks 2–12) is about strength, range of motion and returning to daily life. Driving usually returns at 2–4 weeks, desk work at 2–3 weeks, and most patients are walking 30+ minutes comfortably and back to gentle gym work by 6–8 weeks.
The third phase (months 3–12) is about full functional return. The knee continues to improve, swelling continues to settle and proprioception keeps refining. Most patients say their knee feels essentially 'normal' between 6 and 12 months. UKA recovery is notably faster than total knee replacement at every phase.
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