Going Home

Part of The Joint Replacement Guide — Phase 5: Recovery and Rehabilitation · Article 31 of 42 · Hip & Knee

Key Points

Most patients go home within one to three days after surgery, depending on the joint replaced and their individual recovery.
Pain, swelling and fatigue typically improve steadily but unevenly over the first six weeks.
Wound care, driving, and stairs each have specific, sensible guidance worth knowing in advance.
Medications, particularly blood thinners, are usually continued for a defined period after discharge.

Most patients are discharged within one to three days of surgery, once they can mobilise safely with any walking aid provided, manage stairs if needed at home, and have adequate pain control on oral medication. This is exactly why arranging support at home in advance, as discussed earlier in this guide, matters — having a clear plan for the first few days makes a real difference to how smoothly this transition goes.

Pain, Swelling and Fatigue

Expect pain and swelling to improve gradually but unevenly over the first six weeks — a good day followed by a more uncomfortable one is normal and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. Swelling, particularly around the ankle and foot after a knee replacement, is common and usually helped by elevating the leg regularly and staying appropriately active. Fatigue is also very common in the first few weeks — your body is doing genuine repair work, and tiredness is a normal part of that process, not a sign that something is wrong.

Wound Care

You’ll be given specific instructions about your dressing and wound care before discharge, including how long to keep the wound covered and when it’s safe to shower. Some redness, warmth and minor ooze in the first few days is normal; increasing redness, spreading warmth, worsening pain, or discharge beyond the first few days are not, and should prompt you to contact your team — covered in more detail in the dedicated article on red flags after surgery.

Sleep

Disturbed sleep is common in the first few weeks, both from discomfort finding a comfortable position and from the joint itself. Sleeping with a pillow between your knees (after hip replacement) or slightly elevating the leg (after knee replacement) can help, and this generally improves steadily as pain and swelling settle.

Driving

Most patients are advised not to drive until they can perform an emergency stop confidently and comfortably, and have full, unmedicated control of the affected leg — typically somewhere between four and six weeks after surgery, though this varies by individual, by which leg and joint was operated on, and by your car (automatic versus manual). Check with your own surgical team and, separately, with your insurer before resuming driving.

Stairs and Medications

You’ll be taught a safe technique for managing stairs before discharge — typically leading with your stronger leg going up, and your operated leg going down first, until your strength and confidence improve. Blood-thinning medication to reduce clot risk is usually continued for a defined period after discharge, commonly several weeks, following the guidance given to you — it’s important to complete this course as prescribed rather than stopping early.

In More Depth

The first six weeks broadly represent the period during which the surrounding soft tissues are healing and early bone integration (for uncemented implants) is taking place, which is part of the biological rationale behind some of the specific precautions and pacing given during this window, including the hip precautions discussed in the next article. Beyond six weeks, most patients see a marked step-up in what they can comfortably do, though full recovery of strength and confidence typically continues for several months longer, particularly for knee replacement.

This article is general information and does not replace individual clinical advice. Please follow the specific instructions given to you by your own hospital and team.

Sources

NHS.uk — recovering from hip and knee replacement
NICE guideline NG89 — venous thromboembolism prevention
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy — post-operative recovery guidance

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