Don’t Let Your Knee Surgery Go to Waste: Why Rehab Makes All the Difference in Osteoarthritis Prevention

Rebecca Brown
Feb 27
4 min read

Updated: Feb 28

So, you’ve had knee arthroscopy—maybe for a meniscus tear, an ACL repair, or a cartilage clean-up. You’ve ticked off the surgery, your knee feels a little better, and you’re keen to get back to normal life. But here’s the thing: surgery is just the first step. What happens next is what really determines the future of your knee health.

Many people assume that once the structural issue is “fixed,” they’re in the clear. But research shows that without a solid rehabilitation plan, the risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) significantly increases.

So, let’s talk about why post-surgery rehab is so important, what happens if you skip it, and how committing to the process can protect your knee for years to come.

"But My Knee Feels Fine - Do I Really Need Rehab?"

Short answer? Yes.

Long answer? Even if your knee feels better now, that doesn’t mean it’s fully recovered.

Here’s why:

A history of knee injury increases the risk of OA—whether you’ve had surgery or not. Research shows that:

Surgery repairs damage, but it doesn't restore strength, movement control, or joint stability.

Your knee may be pain-free for now, but if muscle weakness or movement imbalances persist, extra stress is placed on the joint.
Over time, this can lead to faster cartilage breakdown, increasing the risk of OA.

Small deficits in strength and stability can have big consequences down the track

Even a 10-20% loss in quadriceps strength can change how force is distributed through the knee.
This might not cause immediate pain, but it accelerates joint wear over time.

Bottom line? Your knee needs more than just time to heal—it needs targeted movement, strength, and control to truly recover.

What Happens When People Skip (or Half-Commit to) Rehab?

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I had knee surgery a few years ago, and now my knee just isn’t the same”, chances are they didn’t complete an effective rehabilitation program.

Here’s what can happen when post-surgery rehab takes a backseat:

Muscle Weakness & Instability

After surgery, the quadriceps and hamstrings naturally weaken, affecting joint stability.
Without rebuilding strength and neuromuscular control, the knee takes on more stress, which can contribute to cartilage wear.

Altered Movement Patterns

Ever notice someone walking differently after a knee injury? That’s compensation in action.
Avoiding full knee extension, limping, or shifting weight to the other leg creates long-term imbalances that don’t just affect the knee—they can also impact the hips, back, and ankle.

Increased Risk of Osteoarthritis

Research shows that knees with a history of injury or surgery experience cartilage changes at a faster rate, especially if joint stability and strength aren’t restored.
The good news? Rehab helps reduce this risk by ensuring the knee functions as optimally as possible.

Common Reasons People Don’t Fully Commit to Rehab (And Why They Should Anyway)

1. "My Knee Feels Better, So I Must Be Healed"

Pain is only one part of recovery. Feeling better doesn’t mean your knee has fully regained strength, coordination, or movement control. Skipping rehab too soon is like taking off a cast and expecting your arm to be as strong as before—it takes work to rebuild.

2. "I’ll Just Rest to Avoid Making It Worse"

This is a big one! While it’s understandable to want to protect the knee, avoiding movement completely can actually slow recovery. Muscles weaken further, the joint becomes stiffer, and confidence in movement decreases.

3. "I Wasn’t Told That Rehab Was Essential"

Unfortunately, rehabilitation isn’t always emphasised enough after arthroscopy. Many people assume that because the surgery went well, recovery will happen naturally. But the reality is:

Surgeons repair the structure. Rehab restores function.

A successful surgery doesn’t automatically mean a successful outcome—that depends on what you do after.

Rehabilitation: The Best Long-Term Investment in Your Knee Health

The good news? Committing to rehab now can make a big difference in how your knee feels in 5, 10, or 20 years.

A well-structured rehabilitation plan will:

Rebuild strength – Ensuring the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes properly support the knee.
Restore mobility – Regaining full range of motion so stiffness doesn’t limit function.
Improve stability & balance – Training the knee to handle daily movements safely and confidently.
Gradually reintroduce load – So you can move without hesitation and return to the activities you enjoy.

Rehab doesn’t have to be a burden—it’s an investment in how well your knee will support you for years to come.

Your Future Knees Will Thank You

Arthroscopy can be a valuable tool for managing knee injuries, but surgery alone isn’t the solution. What happens after surgery—the effort you put into recovery and rehabilitation—is what truly determines long-term knee health.

So, if you’ve had an arthroscopy for a meniscus or ACL injury, remember: rehab isn’t just about short-term recovery—it’s about setting your knee up for the future.

The question isn’t "Should I do rehab?"—it’s "How can I make sure I do it right?"

Need guidance on what post-surgery rehab should look like? Reach out and let’s make sure your knee gets the care it deserves!

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References:

Machado, S., Érika Santana, Brito, V., Maciel, L., Quintans Júnior, L. J., da Silva Junior, W., & de Farias Neto, J. (2022). Knee Osteoarthritis: Kinesiophobia and Isometric Strength of Quadriceps in Women. In Pain Research and Management (Vol. 2022). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1466478

Poulsen, E., Goncalves, G. H., Bricca, A., Roos, E. M., Thorlund, J. B., & Juhl, C. B. (2019). Knee osteoarthritis risk is increased 4-6 fold after knee injury – a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(23), 1454–1463. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-100022

Steidle-Kloc, E., Wirth, W., Glass, N. A., Ruhdorfer, A., Cotofana, S., Eckstein, F., & Segal, N. A. (2015). Is Pain in One Knee Associated with Isometric Muscle Strength in the Contralateral Limb?: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 94(10), 792–803. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000262

Yang, Y., Ding, X., Gong, Y., Liu, Q., Shi, S., & Xu, M. (2024). Isometric exercise for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian Journal of Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.11.179