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A Sixty and Me report says many people return to low-impact activities after hip or knee replacement, with the timing depending on recovery and clearance from their care team. It advises building activity gradually and says the effect of higher-impact sports on implant longevity remains uncertain.
A report from Sixty and Me outlines how people may return to activity after hip or knee replacement, from walking during early recovery to low-impact exercise later on. It says timing varies and that patients should follow guidance from their surgeon or physical therapist, particularly before resuming sports or other demanding activities.
The report says many patients stand and take their first steps with assistance on the day of surgery, often using a walker or cane while strength and balance recover. Walking is then extended gradually as part of rehabilitation. A clinician should advise when it is safe to stop using the aid; it is intended to help prevent falls during recovery.
For knee replacement, the report says much of the ability to bend and straighten the knee returns within about six weeks. It recommends doing prescribed exercises daily during that period, even when stiffness persists. Swimming can generally resume after the incision has fully healed and the surgeon confirms it is safe. Many other activities may return at around three months, but the report says this depends on the surgeon’s clearance and that progress is not always steady from week to week.
After recovery, activities described as commonly realistic include walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, golf and doubles tennis. The report says kneeling is not thought to damage a knee replacement, though it may feel uncomfortable at first; a cushion or folded towel can make it easier to try. Running, singles tennis and pickleball are higher-impact examples for which advice varies, and patients are urged to discuss a specific sport with their surgeon.
Building Activity Without Overloading the Joint
Returning to movement can be a central goal of joint replacement, but recovery does not end when formal physical therapy does. The report says muscles around a replaced hip or knee can continue to gain strength for a year or more, making sustained exercise and gradual progression relevant well beyond the first few months.
Its practical advice is to add time or distance in small increments and notice how the joint feels the next day. New pain or swelling the following morning is described as a cue to ease back temporarily rather than increase activity. Short sessions count, and activity on most days may be easier to maintain as a routine than occasional strenuous efforts.
The report also notes that the opposite hip or knee and the lower back can carry more load before surgery and during recovery. A new ache in those areas should be raised with a surgeon or physical therapist. This matters because resuming activity involves monitoring the wider effects of movement, not only the replaced joint.
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Recovery Milestones After Surgery
The report frames activity advice around a staged recovery: assisted steps soon after surgery, regular walking and prescribed exercises in the early weeks, and a broader return to activity after clinical review. These are general milestones from the article, not a personalized schedule. The pace can vary, and a patient’s own surgical team remains the source for decisions about walking aids, exercise and return to sport.
Its distinction between lower- and higher-impact activity reflects different levels of force placed on the joint. The article describes low-impact pursuits as options many people resume, while noting that surgeons do not have a definitive answer on whether higher-impact exercise shortens an implant’s life. It does not provide study findings or numerical estimates for that risk.
““For many, the answer is yes.””
— Sixty and Me report
Higher-Impact Sports Remain Unsettled
The report does not establish a single timetable for returning to activity. Its reference to about three months for many activities is a general guide, not a guarantee, and it says patients should wait for surgeon clearance. Individual recovery, the type of operation and the activity being considered may affect that decision.
It also says the effect of high-impact sports on implant longevity is not definitively known. The source provides no quantified risk, study details or consensus among surgeons. People considering such sports are advised to discuss the specific activity with their own surgeon before resuming it.
Follow the Recovery Plan
For someone recovering from replacement, the next steps described in the report are to keep up prescribed exercises, extend walking gradually and use a walker or cane until the care team says it is no longer needed. Swimming should wait until the incision is healed and the surgeon has confirmed it is appropriate; other activities should wait for the relevant medical clearance.
As activity increases, patients can track how the joint responds the following day and reduce their effort if new pain or swelling appears. Questions about kneeling, sports or aches in the opposite joint or back can be raised with a surgeon or physical therapist. The report gives no universal return date for higher-impact exercise, leaving that decision to an individual discussion with the clinician.
Key Questions
When can someone return to activity after hip or knee replacement?
The report says many patients begin assisted walking on the day of surgery, while many other activities may resume around three months. These are general milestones; the care team should determine the timing for an individual patient.
Which activities may be possible after recovery?
The report lists walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, golf and doubles tennis as low-impact activities many people return to. Readiness depends on recovery and clinical guidance.
Can a person kneel after knee replacement?
The report says kneeling is not thought to damage a knee replacement, although it can be uncomfortable initially. It suggests starting on a soft surface, such as a cushion or folded towel.
Is running safe after joint replacement?
The report says higher-impact activities such as running remain a matter of debate among surgeons, and there is no definitive answer on whether they shorten implant life. Patients should discuss the specific sport with their surgeon.
What should someone do if pain or swelling increases after exercise?
The report advises easing back if new pain or swelling appears the following morning, then increasing activity more gradually. Concerns about symptoms should be discussed with a surgeon or physical therapist.
Source: sixtyandme.com
