Post-Op PT Timelines for Common Surgeries
Total knee, total hip, rotator cuff repair, ACL — typical timelines and milestone checks.
9 min read
Realistic post-op timelines anchor expectations and reduce the urge to push too hard too early. The five most common outpatient post-op cases each have characteristic arcs.
Total knee replacement: 6–12 weeks for return to most daily activities. Focus on early range of motion, quadriceps activation, gait normalization. Final functional plateau at 6–12 months.
Total hip replacement: faster than knee in most cases. 4–8 weeks for most daily activities. Posterior precautions vary by surgical approach.
Rotator cuff repair: sling immobilization for 4–6 weeks, passive motion only in early phase, gradual progression to active motion and then strengthening. Return to demanding overhead work at 4–6 months.
ACL reconstruction: as covered in the knee piece — 6–9 months for return to cutting sport, with objective testing at each phase.
Across all of these, communication between surgeon and PT, and a written precautions list, prevent the most common setbacks.