Looking at a Joint Replacement? What to Expect Before and After Surgery

Updated September 2026: This article has been updated to reflect Live Your Life’s current service and payment options in Minnesota and Florida.

Leaves are changing and the cool weather is starting to set in. This is the season when people contemplate scheduling a joint replacement surgery. The two most common joint replacement surgeries are total hip arthroplasty (THA), also known as a hip replacement, and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also known as a knee replacement.

Arthritis is a common condition that may lead your healthcare provider to recommend joint replacement surgery.¹ ² Joint replacement may be a treatment option for persistent severe joint pain, stiffness, limited mobility, and swelling after non-surgical options, including physical therapy, have been exhausted.¹

Despite joint replacement surgeries being common among older adults, there are still risks and recovery time associated with any surgery. After a total knee replacement, recovery and improvement may continue for up to a year, although many people return to usual activities sooner. Following a total hip replacement, recovery also varies, with continued improvement possible throughout the first year.¹ ²

Undergoing joint replacement surgery is a big decision. Understanding what may happen before and after surgery can help you prepare for recovery.

Pre-Hab Before Joint Replacement Surgery

According to the Arthritis Foundation, pre-habilitation, or “pre-hab,” involves exercise and physical therapy before surgery.³ Pre-hab may include a combination of strength, aerobic, and flexibility exercises to improve your fitness prior to surgery.³

Research cited by the Arthritis Foundation has found benefits associated with preparing for surgery through pre-hab.³ Talk with your surgeon about whether pre-hab may be appropriate for you and when you should begin.

Live Your Life also offers a Ready for Surgery program designed to help individuals prepare physically for an upcoming procedure.

Rehabilitation After Joint Replacement Surgery

Physical therapy commonly begins soon after joint replacement surgery. Getting out of bed and beginning appropriate movement can be an important part of recovery and may help reduce the risk of post-surgical complications.⁴ Your physical therapist can also educate you about precautions and provide exercises appropriate for your stage of recovery.

After discharge from the hospital, physical therapy may continue in your home or an outpatient setting. The frequency and duration of therapy depend on factors including your surgery, post-surgical protocol, functional limitations, and individual recovery.

Your physical therapist may assess areas such as function, range of motion, strength, skin and scar integrity, walking, and mobility. Together, you can establish goals and a rehabilitation plan based on your needs.

Understanding Insurance and Private-Pay Options

Insurance coverage for pre-hab and rehabilitation varies by insurance plan, location, and individual circumstances. Before surgery, contact your insurance provider to understand your specific benefits and talk with your surgeon about your rehabilitation options.

In Minnesota, Live Your Life may provide insurance-covered home health physical therapy through partnerships with Medicare-certified home health agencies when an individual qualifies for home health services. Live Your Life does not directly bill Medicare or private insurance for these home health services.

In Florida, all Live Your Life services are private pay.

Live Your Life also offers private-pay mobile physical therapy and wellness services for individuals who want additional support preparing for or recovering from surgery.

If you’re preparing for joint replacement or working toward your goals after surgery, contact Live Your Life to discuss which services may be appropriate for you.

Related Reading

Do I Need Physical Therapy After Surgery?
Learn how physical therapy can support strength, mobility, balance, confidence, and everyday function following surgery.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do in Your Home?
Learn how in-home physical therapy addresses movement, safety, strength, balance, and everyday activities in the environment where you live.

References

¹Total Knee Replacement Surgery Information | Cleveland Clinic: Health Library. Cleveland Clinic. Published 2016. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8512-knee-replacement

²Mayo Clinic. Hip replacement – Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. Published 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hip-replacement/about/pac-20385042

³Pre-hab for Surgery | Arthritis Foundation. www.arthritis.org. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/preplanning/pre-hab-for-surgery

⁴Life After Joint Replacement: Why Physical Therapy Is Key. www.henryford.com. Accessed October 1, 2023. https://www.henryford.com/blog/2021/12/physical-therapy-joint-replacement