The Knee Replacement Protocol™
Get back to doing what you love
The Knee Replacement Protocol™
Your knee replacement is one day. Your recovery is a process.
A step-by-step recovery program designed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy to help you prepare for surgery, manage the early weeks, rebuild strength and mobility, and take an active role in your recovery.
Knee replacement can be overwhelming. What should you do before surgery? How much swelling is normal? Which exercises should you be doing? When should you progress? What should you eat? What can you do at home to support healing?
This program puts the entire recovery process in one place.
Instead of piecing together advice from handouts, YouTube videos, friends, and internet searches, you'll have a structured roadmap to follow from before surgery through the later stages of recovery.
Physical therapy is an essential part of knee replacement recovery, but recovery involves more than your knee. Surgery creates a major physiologic demand on the body. Swelling, inflammation, sleep disruption, reduced activity, muscle loss, nutritional demands, and stress can all influence how you feel during recovery.
That's why this program takes a broader approach.You'll learn how to support:
Mobility • Strength • Swelling • Lymphatic Flow • Nutrition • Recovery • Healing • Return to Activity
BEFORE SURGERY
Go into surgery knowing what to expect and what you can do beforehand to prepare.
You'll learn about:
Preparing your body and home
Pre-operative exercises
Setting realistic recovery expectations
Equipment and supplies that may be useful
Planning for the first days after surgery
YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY ROADMAP
Follow a progressive home exercise program organized into recovery phases.
Phase 1: Protect & Restore
Focus on early mobility, swelling management, knee motion, muscle activation, and safe movement.
Phase 2: Rebuild
Progress strength, range of motion, walking capacity, balance, and functional movement.
Phase 3: Return to Life
Build the strength, endurance, confidence, and capacity needed for everyday activities and long-term function.
Each phase includes exercise demonstrations so you can see exactly how the movements are performed.
Who is this program for?
This program is designed for adults who:
✓ Are preparing for a total knee replacement
✓ Recently underwent knee replacement surgery
✓ Want a structured home recovery plan
✓ Want to better understand swelling and lymphatic management
✓ Want to support recovery through movement, nutrition, and lifestyle
✓ Want clear guidance between physical therapy appointments
✓ Prefer having their recovery information organized in one place
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ideally, you can begin with the pre-operative material before surgery. If you've already had your knee replacement, you can begin with the section corresponding to your current stage of recovery, subject to your surgeon's and treating physical therapist's recommendations.
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No. The program is designed to complement your medical care and rehabilitation, not replace individualized physical therapy or your surgeon's recommendations.
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Yes. The phased structure allows you to identify the material most relevant to your current stage, although progression should be based on your individual recovery rather than time alone.
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Lifetime access.
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Yes, the rehab process is the same.
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Contact your surgeon or appropriate medical provider. Increasing redness, drainage, fever, significant calf pain or swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms require appropriate medical evaluation. This online program is not intended to diagnose or manage surgical complications.