Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Usually yes, though many people find they cannot at first, and a good number never try. The studies disagree a lot on how many manage it, which tells you it depends on the person more than the operation.

What stops people is rarely the knee itself. It is pain or tenderness over the front of the knee, numbness around the scar, and being afraid of damaging the implant. There is no evidence that kneeling harms a knee replacement.

The numbness is worth understanding. The incision cuts small skin nerves, and the patch of skin over the front of the knee often stays numb or strange feeling. That is expected and it is not a sign that something is wrong.

Two things help. Kneeling tends to get easier with time rather than worse. And people who are shown how to do it, and who practice, mostly end up able to do it, including some who had given up.

In general:

  • There is no evidence that kneeling damages a replacement.
  • Try it on something soft before you try it on a hard floor.
  • Numbness over the front of the knee is expected after surgery.
  • If it hurts at six weeks, try again at six months.
  • Practice it rather than avoiding it.

Drafted with AI assistance from published sources, reviewed and edited by Babak Sheikh, MD.

Sources:

This is general information about what published research shows. It is not medical advice and it is not about your situation. Reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship with me. I am a retired orthopedic surgeon and I do not see patients. Talk with your own doctor before changing anything about your care. If something feels suddenly or seriously wrong, get medical care promptly rather than waiting.

This page is provided as is. I make no guarantee that it is accurate, complete or current, and medical evidence changes. Use of it is at your own risk.

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