Last reviewed: September 29, 2026

Usually within two to three months. The kind of job makes the biggest difference.

In pooled studies, return to work took about 9 to 13 weeks on average, with a wide range. By a year after surgery, about 9 in 10 people who had been working were back. Older people returned less often.

In a Dutch study, about 8 or 9 in 10 people in office-type jobs were back at work six months after surgery, compared with about 6 in 10 in manual jobs. By a year, the gap had narrowed.

Return was slower for people who had been off work before surgery, whose work was physically heavy, or who were on workers’ compensation. It was faster for people who expected to go back soon or felt they needed to, and for people who were self-employed.

Changes at work helped. In a Finnish study, more than half of people had their work adjusted, most often by working from home or limiting their tasks. Programs that connected the surgeon with an occupational health team got people back about two to four weeks sooner. These programs have not been tested in randomized trials.

Limited evidence suggests that going back to physical work does not shorten how long a knee replacement lasts. In one study, people who were more active had fewer redo operations later.

In general:

  • Tell your surgeon before surgery what your job involves and when you hope to go back.
  • Talk with your employer early about working from home, shorter hours or lighter tasks at first.

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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