Recovering at Home After Hip or Knee Replacement: A Complete Physiotherapy Guide for Cornwall Residents

If you or a loved one has recently had a hip or knee replacement, returning home is a major milestone—and sometimes a little daunting. Here in Cornwall, many of us enjoy walking along coastal paths, tending gardens, or simply soaking in the sea air. After surgery at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, Duchy Hospital in Truro, or elsewhere, the goal is to regain mobility safely, steadily, and confidently so you can return to the activities you love.

Home physiotherapy offers significant advantages: care in a familiar environment, no stressful trips on winding Cornish roads, and exercises personalised to your daily routine. We provide support across areas like Truro, Falmouth, Penryn, Helston, Perranporth, St Agnes, and surrounding villages, with travel included in our fees.

This guide covers what to expect in the early weeks, essential home exercises, progression strategies, home adaptations for safety, managing swelling, and when to seek extra support.

Always follow your surgeon’s and hospital physiotherapy team’s instructions—these are general guidelines based on standard UK protocols.

The First 2 Weeks at Home – What to Expect

Most patients are discharged 1–3 days after surgery (sometimes same-day for hip replacements).

Early recovery involves:

• Pain and swelling around the joint (normal, managed with prescribed medications, ice, and elevation).

• Tiredness, as your body is healing from major surgery.

• Walking aids such as crutches, a Zimmer frame, or a walker.

• Gentle movement, which helps prevent stiffness, improves circulation, and begins rebuilding strength.

Tips for these early days:

• Move little and often—short walks around the house or gentle standing from a chair.

• Elevate your leg when resting (for knee replacements, avoid leaving a pillow under the knee permanently).

• Manage swelling: Apply ice packs to the joint for 10–15 minutes at a time, a few times per day. Always protect the skin with a thin cloth to prevent frostbite.

• Listen to your body: Mild discomfort is normal, but increasing pain, warmth, or swelling may indicate overdoing activity. Scale back or rest if swelling worsens.

• Watch for red flags: increasing redness, swelling, heat, calf pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately if these occur.

Essential Early Exercises You Can Do at Home

Start these exercises on the day of or day after surgery, as advised by your hospital physiotherapist. Aim for 3–5 sessions daily, starting with 5–10 repetitions. Stop or reduce activity if swelling or pain increases significantly, and give your body time to rest and recover.

1. Ankle Pumps – improve circulation, reduce clot risk

• Lie or sit with legs out. Point toes away, then pull them back toward you.

• Repeat slowly 10 times hourly at first.

2. Quad Sets / Thigh Squeezes – strengthen muscles above the knee

• Sit or lie with leg straight. Push the back of the knee down into the bed while tightening the thigh.

• Hold 5 seconds, relax. Repeat 10 times.

3. Glute Sets – stabilise the hip

• Squeeze buttocks together. Hold 5–10 seconds, relax. Repeat 10 times.

4. Heel Slides – improve knee bend (especially for knee replacements)

• Lie on your back. Slowly slide the operated heel toward your bottom, then back. Repeat 10 times.

5. Straight Leg Raise – strengthen the thigh once swelling reduces

• Lie flat. Tighten the thigh and lift the straight leg 10–20cm off the bed. Hold 3–5 seconds, lower slowly. Start with 5 reps.

  
  

6.Hip Abduction (for hip replacement strength)

• Lie on your back with legs straight. Place a small rolled towel or carrier bag under your foot for a gentle slide if needed. Slowly move the operated leg out to the side, keeping your knee straight, then return it to the midline. Repeat 10 times, 2–3 times per day. This helps strengthen the hip muscles that support stability and walking, especially important after hip replacement surgery.

Swelling tip: If your joint becomes more swollen or painful after exercise, apply ice for 10–15 minutes, elevate your leg, and rest. This is your body’s signal that you may have overdone it. Gradual progression is key.

Progressing Week by Week (Weeks 3–12)

Recovery speed varies, but these are common milestones. Always monitor swelling and pain as you increase activity:

Weeks 3–6:

• Increase reps to 10–15.

• Add mini-squats, holding a stable surface.

• Practice stairs carefully: up with the good leg first, down with the operated leg first.

• Short walks, gradually increasing distance.

• Balance exercises: stand on one leg holding support.

• Swelling guidance: If swelling increases noticeably after an activity, reduce intensity or take a rest day. Ice and elevate as needed.

Weeks 6–12:

• Bridges (lift hips lying on back, squeezing glutes).

• Step-ups on a low step.

• Aim for 20–30 minutes of walking without aids.

• Gentle hamstring and calf stretches.

• Swelling check: Continued swelling or discomfort after activity may indicate overuse—listen to your body and pace yourself.

Full recovery often takes 3–12 months, with strength and stamina improving steadily.

Managing Swelling & Pain

Swelling is common after joint replacement, especially with increased activity. Managing it effectively speeds recovery and prevents complications.

Daily tips:

• Ice: 10–15 minutes per session, 2–3 times daily, or after exercises.

• Elevation: Keep the leg raised above heart level when resting.

• Compression: Only if advised by your physiotherapist or surgeon.

• Activity pacing: Stop or reduce exercises if swelling worsens. It’s better to progress slowly than risk setbacks.

• Medication: Take prescribed pain relief as advised; it allows you to move safely.

Red flags—contact GP or NHS 111 immediately:

• Sudden increase in swelling, redness, or heat.

• Increased weeping from the wound

• Calf pain or tenderness.

• Shortness of breath or chest pain.

Infection and Sepsis Awareness

After a hip or knee replacement, your new joint is more vulnerable to infection. Even a minor infection elsewhere in your body—like a tooth abscess, urinary tract infection, or skin infection—can sometimes spread bacteria through the bloodstream and reach the joint. This can cause serious complications, including sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection.

What to watch for:

• Redness, warmth, or swelling around the joint that continues to worsen

• Pus or unusual discharge from any surgical wound

• Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell

• Severe fatigue or confusion

If you notice any of these signs, contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately, or seek urgent care. Good hygiene, prompt treatment of infections, and regular dental care are important preventive steps. Always tell your dentist or doctor that you have a joint replacement before procedures that may cause bleeding, as antibiotics may be advised to reduce risk.

Tip: Even something as simple as a tooth infection can affect your new joint, so don’t ignore dental pain or swelling—it’s part of keeping your joint safe.

Making Your Cornish Home Recovery-Friendly

Cornish homes often have stairs, uneven floors, or garden steps. Small adjustments can make a big difference:

• Clear clutter and rugs to prevent trips.

• Use a raised toilet seat or commode if bending is difficult.

• Keep frequently used items at waist height.

• For gardens: start on even paths; wear stable shoes for coastal walks.

• Bathrooms: install grab rails or sit to shower if needed.

• Consider walking aids for outdoor paths until confidence improves.

These changes support independence and help you safely navigate everyday spaces.

Common Setbacks and When to Call a Physio

• Persistent stiffness – gentle movement helps loosen the joint.

• Swelling after activity – ice, elevate, rest.

• Pain weeks after surgery – may indicate slowed recovery, overuse, or other issues.

Professional home physiotherapy can help if progress stalls. We assess your home, adjust exercises, and restore confidence for local activities like beach walks or tending your allotment.

Why Home Physiotherapy Works Better in Cornwall

• No traffic delays to Truro or Falmouth clinics.

• Treatment at home allows realistic goals—navigating stairs, gardens, or uneven paths safely.

• Personalised care accelerates recovery, reduces complications, and gets you back to the active Cornwall lifestyle sooner.

Additional Tips for Faster Recovery

• Nutrition: Eat protein-rich meals to support healing. Hydrate regularly.

• Sleep: Rest helps tissue repair.

• Social support: Ask family or friends for help with shopping, meals, or chores in the first weeks.

• Mental health: Recovery can be tiring; stay connected with loved ones and keep a positive mindset.

Getting Started

We offer initial home assessments from £95, £80 for follow ups, fully mobile across Mid-Cornwall.

Contact us:

• Call: 07440 542208

• Email: physio-at-home@outlook.com

• Website: https://www.physioathome.uk/

We help you move safely, comfortably, and confidently—right where you feel most at home.