Anxiety about the recovery period is one of the main reasons patients delay knee replacement surgery. The reality is that modern surgical techniques have changed what recovery looks like significantly — and for most patients, the progress within the first three months is far better than they anticipated. Here is a realistic guide to what the first 12 weeks involve.

Days 1 to 3: The Hospital Stay

The typical hospital stay following knee replacement is one to two nights. On the day of surgery, a physiotherapist will help you to stand and begin walking — usually within hours of the procedure. This is a very important part of recovery; early mobilisation is a core principle of modern joint replacement care. It reduces the risk of blood clots, prevents stiffness, and begins the process of restoring movement in the new joint.

Before you are discharged, the physiotherapy team will ensure you can safely get in and out of bed, manage stairs with a walking aid, and understand your home exercise programme. A follow-up plan will be confirmed before you leave.

Weeks 1 to 2: Home Recovery

Once home, the priority is keeping the knee moving while allowing the surrounding tissues to heal. A walking frame or crutches will be needed initially, and you will have specific guidance about what movements to avoid. Ice packs applied to the knee for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day are effective at managing swelling and discomfort.

Your home exercise programme at this stage will focus on regaining range of movement — particularly straightening the knee fully and bending it progressively. These exercises are not optional; the range of movement you establish in the first few weeks has a significant influence on your long-term outcome.

Weeks 3 to 6: Building Strength and Mobility

During this phase, most patients transition from a walking frame to a single crutch or walking stick. Swelling reduces gradually, and movement becomes noticeably easier. The goals are consistent daily walks, a reliable exercise routine, and continuing to increase the bend in the knee.

Most patients are advised not to drive for at least six weeks after knee replacement surgery — Mr Kosuge will confirm when it is safe for you, based on which leg was operated on and your individual recovery progress.

Weeks 6 to 12: Returning to Normal

By the six-week mark, many patients are walking without a walking aid and experiencing a marked reduction in pain compared to before surgery. Mr Kosuge reviews progress at the six-week post-operative appointment and advises on returning to activities including driving, swimming, and gentle recreational exercise.

By 12 weeks, the majority of patients are back to most normal daily activities. The knee continues to improve beyond this point — full recovery typically takes 12 months though.

What Helps Recovery Go Well

Preparation before surgery makes a meaningful difference. Being as physically active as possible beforehand, maintaining a healthy weight, and stopping smoking all contribute to a smoother recovery. Mr Kosuge provides personalised pre-operative guidance as part of your care pathway.

To book an appointment with Mr Kosuge at The Rivers Hospital:

• Online booking

• Telephone: 01279 602675

Mr Kosuge is pleased to announce that robotic-assisted total knee replacement using the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution will be available at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth, from July 2026. This is a significant development for patients in Essex and Hertfordshire seeking the most advanced approach to knee replacement surgery — one that combines Mr Kosuge's surgical expertise with a technology designed to improve precision and personalise each procedure to the individual patient.

What Is the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution?

VELYS is a state-of-the-art surgical technology developed by DePuy Synthes, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech — one of the world's leading orthopaedic companies. The system uses pre-operative planning and real-time intraoperative guidance to assist the surgeon in performing total knee replacement with exceptional accuracy.

Before surgery, a personalised plan is created based on each patient's individual anatomy. During the procedure, VELYS provides continuous real-time data and feedback, helping to ensure the implant is positioned precisely in line with that plan — adjusting dynamically for even the subtlest variations in the patient's anatomy as surgery progresses.

It is important to be clear about what VELYS is and is not. The robot does not operate independently. Mr Kosuge remains entirely in control throughout the procedure. VELYS acts as an advanced assistive tool — enhancing the precision with which the surgery is performed, not replacing the judgement or skill of the surgeon.

Why Precision Matters in Knee Replacement

The accuracy of implant positioning is one of the most consequential factors in knee replacement outcomes. When an implant is correctly aligned to a patient's anatomy and biomechanics, patients typically experience better function, less post-operative pain, and a more natural-feeling result in the replaced knee.

Traditional knee replacement uses mechanical guides and surgical expertise to achieve this alignment — and in experienced hands, outcomes are consistently excellent. VELYS adds a further layer of technological precision, providing objective real-time data to support the surgical plan and helping to ensure consistent accuracy throughout the procedure.

What the Evidence Shows

A peer-reviewed study published in 2025 found that VELYS robotic-assisted total knee replacement was associated with improved mobility, a reduction in hospital stay, shorter surgical duration, and better psychological outcomes compared to conventional approaches. Independent research has also demonstrated greater post-operative range of motion and reduced pain in patients who underwent robotic-assisted procedures.

In one study, all 101 cases achieved the target coronal plane alignment within 3 degrees — a measure of how accurately the implant is positioned in the knee. This level of consistency is a key aim of robotic-assisted surgery and an important contributor to long-term implant function.

Is Robotic-Assisted Surgery Right for You?

VELYS-assisted total knee replacement is suitable for the majority of patients requiring total knee replacement surgery. A consultation with Mr Kosuge will determine whether this approach is appropriate for your specific anatomy, the extent of your joint damage, and your overall health. Not every patient will be an ideal candidate for every technique — Mr Kosuge will always recommend the approach that is best suited to the individual.

For more information about VELYS robotic-assisted surgery.

Book a Consultation

If you are considering knee replacement surgery and would like to discuss whether VELYS-assisted surgery is the right option for you, Mr Kosuge is happy to talk through your situation in detail at an initial consultation. Appointments are available at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth — with VELYS robotic-assisted surgery available from July 2026.

• Online booking

• Telephone: 01279 602675