How Soon Can You Walk After Partial Knee Replacement?
Most patients stand and take steps within hours of surgery.
Walking begins on the day of surgery in most cases. A physiotherapist gets you out of bed within hours of returning to the ward and helps you take the first steps with a walker or crutches.
By discharge (usually day 1 or 2 post-op), you should be walking comfortably with crutches, climbing a few stairs and managing the bathroom independently. Crutches are typically used for 7–14 days and then dropped as confidence and strength return.
Walking distance increases week by week: 5 minutes at day 5, 20 minutes at week 2, 45 minutes at week 6, full unrestricted walking by 8–12 weeks. Listen to the knee — swelling the next day is a sign you overdid it.
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