Short answerYes, for the first few months. Exercise with a physiotherapist improved function and pain compared with minimal physiotherapy. Home programs did as well as clinic visits.
Probably helps a little
What it is
After a knee replacement, people are given exercises to regain strength and movement. Some have supervised sessions at an outpatient clinic. Others follow a home program with a check by a physiotherapist.
What the research shows
with 1,739 people looked at exercise after knee replacement. Compared with minimal physiotherapy, exercise improved physical function and pain at three to four months. Benefit lasted up to six months in the higher quality studies. No long term benefit was found, and the studies were small.
Outpatient sessions did no better than a home program for function or pain. Home exercise did a little better for knee bending in the short term. Adding balance work or cycling, or using a pool, made no difference.
Risks and effort
The effort is regular exercise for weeks to months. Some soreness is expected. Tell your surgeon if swelling, redness or pain gets worse.
What usually works instead
A structured home program with a physiotherapy review is a sound option for many people. Ask your surgical team what they advise. See Total Knee Replacement.
Questions people ask
Do I need to attend a clinic?
The review found no difference between clinic and home programs for function or pain.
How long should I keep exercising?
The trials followed people for months. Many surgeons suggest continuing strength and walking exercise beyond the first few months.
What if my knee is stiff?
Tell your surgeon and physiotherapist early, so that they can adjust the program.
What mistakes should I avoid after a knee replacement?
In the trials, people who kept up their exercises did better in the first months than those who had minimal physiotherapy. The common mistakes are stopping the exercises too early, waiting too long to report a stiff knee, and ignoring swelling, redness or pain that is getting worse. Tell your surgeon and physiotherapist early if any of these happen. A home program with a physiotherapy review did as well as clinic visits, so not being able to get to a clinic is no reason to skip the exercises. See What helps recovery after knee replacement?
Sources
Select a source to read what the study or guideline found, in plain words, with a link to the original.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Next review due October 2028.
