How Much Time Off Work Do You Need After Knee Surgery?
Plan for 2–3 weeks at minimum; 6–12 weeks for heavy manual roles.
For a partial knee replacement, plan a minimum of 2–3 weeks completely off, with a phased return after that. For total knee replacement, plan 4–6 weeks off plus a phased return.
Office and sedentary work can resume earlier if you can work from home, take breaks to elevate the leg and avoid commuting. Roles requiring continuous standing, walking long distances, climbing, kneeling or driving for long periods need substantially longer — typically 8–12 weeks for partial and 12+ weeks for total.
Ask the rooms for a written medical certificate at your pre-operative visit so you can submit it to HR in advance. We can also provide a 'fit-to-work with restrictions' note for a phased return.
Educational content only. Prefer to speak first? Try the Knee Check or contact the rooms directly.