Return to Work After Knee Replacement Surgery

When can I return to work after knee replacement surgery?

For most administrative jobs, a 6-week timeframe to return to work after knee replacement surgery is recommended. For occupations that require prolonged standing, walking, climbing or crawling a 12+ week recovery timeframe is recommended.

It is important to know that 15 to 30% of people may never return to work according to one study. [1]

To learn more about total knee replacement recovery timeframe, click here.

Return to Work After a Double Knee Replacement

Bilateral total knee replacement may be done one the same day or 6 weeks apart.

Bilateral Knee Replacement Same Day

If you are planning a bilateral knee replacement on the same day, expect a longer recovery. The most common complaint following bilateral knee replacement surgery includes low iron due to blood loss resulting in rapid onset fatigue.

Patients will often tell me even 6-weeks after a bilateral knee replacement that they can’t believe how quickly they get tired.

“I can barely wash a couple dishes before I need to sit down and take a break.”

Double Knee Replacement 6 or More Weeks Apart

Returning to work 6 weeks after the second knee replacement is more likely when there has been adequate time between knee surgeries.

In this following screenshot a member from our Total Knee Replacement Support Group for Kind People asked this question:

“I’m new to the page but will have a total knee replacement in April and again in July. I’m a second grade teacher and I’m wondering if am I being unrealistic in saying that I will be able to go back to work in 6 weeks? I would only have two weeks left of school but I really would like to be the one to send my students off for the summer. I am 51 if the age would help in letting me know your thoughts.”

What are Predictive Factors for Early Return to Work?

A 2011 study suggested the following preoperative factors might predict an early return to work after total knee replacement.

Patients who reported a sense of urgency about returning to work were found to return in half the time taken by other employees (acceleration factor = 0.468; p < 0.001).

• Being female (acceleration factor = 0.783), self-employment (acceleration factor = 0.792), higher mental health scores (acceleration factor = 0.891),
• higher physical function scores (acceleration factor = 0.809),
• higher Functional Comorbidity Index scores (acceleration factor = 0.914),
• a handicap accessible workplace (acceleration factor = 0.736)

A slower return to work was associated with

• having less pain preoperatively (acceleration factor = 1.132),
• having a more physically demanding job (acceleration factor = 1.116),
• and receiving Workers’ Compensation (acceleration factor = 4.360). [2]

7 Tips to Return to Work After Knee Replacement

1.) Plan for the worst, hope for the best –

Have an action plan in place just in case you experience complications like an infection, implant failure, or a negative response to anesthesia.

2.) Prepare your recovery cove –

Have a dedicated space at home to recover from knee replacement surgery over the next 6-weeks. Have healthy meals prepared and either frozen or ready to eat. Have amply fluids to stay hydrated and try to get the best sleep you can.

3.) Prepare your workspace –

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Have proper seating and the ability to sit, stand, and change position frequently while working. The hardest thing is to force your knee replacement to stay in one position for prolonged periods of time.

4.) Keep it fun –

Returning to work should be something you look forward to. Try to find little things you enjoy about work and create a reward system for yourself to keep work enjoyable.

5.) Have an exit strategy –

If you find that it is just too much to handle, have an exit strategy in place. This will reduce the stress and make it more enjoyable.

[1] Maillette P, Coutu MF, Gaudreault N. Workers’ perspectives on return to work after total knee arthroplasty. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2017 Sep;60(5):299-305. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2017.01.004. Epub 2017 Mar 24. PMID: 28347691.

[2] Styron JF, Barsoum WK, Smyth KA, Singer ME. Preoperative predictors of returning to work following primary total knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2011 Jan 5;93(1):2-10. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.I.01317. PMID: 21209263.