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Knee replacement surgery – exercises

It is important to start being active as soon as possible after surgery to prevent complications and achieve good mobility in the joint. There are no restrictions after you have had a knee joint replacement, but it is important to maintain a good balance between activity and rest to prevent swelling as much as possible.

Before

How much activity you should do after surgery varies from person to person. If you develop swelling one day, you have probably done too much too soon. It is then important to take more breaks during the day. You may want to lie down with your leg elevated for about half an hour after activity and exercise.

It is important that pain does not prevent you from exercising and moving your knee. Therefore, we recommend taking the painkillers prescribed by the doctor who operated on you for as long as you need them.

Some people may need aids such as a long-handled shoehorn or long-reach grabber to manage on their own after surgery. You can borrow aids from the assistive technology centre in your municipality.

Use crutches!

After surgery, you can put your full weight on the operated leg. However, you should use crutches at first to reduce the strain on your muscles and wound, and to help you develop the best possible walking pattern.

Use crutches until you can walk without limping. If you use only one crutch, hold it on the side opposite your operated leg.

Always use ice grips on your crutches if walking on slippery surfaces. Check regularly that the rubber tips on your crutches are not worn out. If they are worn and need replacing, you can buy new tips at a pharmacy.

Dame med krykker med den ene benet foran det andre

Walking up and down stairs

Dame som viser hvordan man gåer opp en trapp med krykker

Going up: Lift your unoperated leg first, then the operated leg and the crutches.
Dame som viser hvordan man går ned en trapp med krykker

Going down: Put the crutches down first, then the operated leg, and finally the unoperated leg.

During

After surgery, it is important to keep your blood circulation going. Start the exercises as soon as you have had surgery. Continue doing them until you begin physiotherapy. Do 10 repetitions of each exercise several times a day.

Exercise 1

To strake ben med tærne pekende oppover

Lie with your legs straight. Bend and extend your ankles fully up and down.
To strake ben med tærne pekende bortover

Exercise 2

Dame som ligger på ryggen på en matte

Tighten your thigh and buttock muscles and press the backs of your knees down into the mattress. Hold, then release.

Exercise 3

Dame som ligger på ryggen på en matte med det ene benet trukket mot seg

Lie on your back. Bend your operated leg and pull it towards you while sliding your heel along the surface.

Exercise 4

En dame som sitter på en stol med det ene benet strukket fram

Sit on a chair or the edge of the bed. Place a cloth or similar under your foot and slide your leg backwards to bend your knee. Hold for 5 seconds before slowly sliding it forward again. This exercise is especially important if you have difficulty bending your knee.

Exercise 5

En dame som ligger på en matte med det ene benet hvillende på en pute

Important exercise if you have difficulty straightening your knee: Place a firm pillow under your ankle so that the knee joint is raised off the surface. You should feel a stretch
behind your knee. Try to lie like this for 10 minutes, 3–5 times a day.

After

Once you are home, start physiotherapy at a physiotherapy clinic. You must contact a physiotherapist yourself for follow-up after surgery, and we recommend that you do this well in advance of your operation.

In addition to starting physiotherapy, you should do the exercises below on your own.

Further exercise programme

You can wait until about 14 days after surgery before doing these exercises. Do 5–10 repetitions, 3–5 times a day.

Exercise 1

En dame som holder i en stol og løfter det ene benet
Lift your operated leg in front of you.

Exercise 2

En dame holder i en stol og står på tærne

Do slow heel raises.

Exercise 3

En dame holder i en stol og bøyer knærne

Bend your knees and hips, and push your buttocks out as if you were going to sit on a low chair. Keep your back straight.

Exercise 4

En dame holder i en stol og setter det ene benet bak det andre

Place your operated leg behind you. Try to keep your knee straight while placing your heel on the floor. You should feel a stretch in the muscles at the back of your thigh and calf. Hold for about 20 seconds.

Exercise 5

En dame sitter på en stol og løfter det ene benet rett ut

Sit on a chair. Lift your operated leg so that you fully straighten your knee. Hold for a few seconds before slowly lowering it again.

All photos: Østfold Hospital

Last professionally updated 27.05.2026

Contact

  • Contact the Orthopaedic Department

    Location

    Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinic, 1st floor of the hospital’s main building, E Wing.
    Sørlandet sykehus Arendal sett fra luften.

    Sørlandet Hospital Arendal

    Sykehusveien 1

    Sykehusveien 1, 4838 Arendal

    Getting here

    Transport

    You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder Public Transport to find your route:akt.no

    You may be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses when travelling to and from your place of treatment.

    As a general rule, you should use public transport, and you must pay a deductible. To claim reimbursement for travel expenses you have paid, complete a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient travel.

    Practical information

    You can fill prescriptions and buy pharmacy products at the hospital pharmacy in Arendal.
    You’ll find us on the first floor of the main building, just inside the entrance.
    Open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

    Arendal Hospital Pharmacy

    Doesn’t the appointment time suit you? If you receive your appointment letter digitally via helsenorge.no, you can now send a message directly to the department you are due to visit if you need to reschedule. You must be a registered user of Helsenorge to access this service.
    You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00
    ​

    Children and young people are affected when someone in the family is ill, and they need to understand what is happening. You may be a patient or a relative, or a parent of a sick child who has siblings. At the hospital, we will help ensure that the children and young people in your family are well cared for.

    Children as next of kin


    Visiting hours may vary between departments and locations. Please check with the department where you have an appointment for more information.

    See an overview of the hospital departments

    General visiting hours:

    Arendal:
    5:00–7:00 pm on weekdays
    2:00–4:00 pm and 6:00–7:00 pm on weekends and public holidays

    Flekkefjord:
    2:00–3:00 pm and 6:00–7:00 pm
    Maternity ward: 5:00–7:00 pm (rest period/no visitors: 2:00–4:00 pm)

    Kristiansand:
    5:00–7:00 pm on weekdays
    2:00–4:00 pm and 6:00–7:00 pm on weekends and public holidays

    Maternity ward: 4:00–6:00 pm every day for the newborn’s healthy siblings.

    The patient library in Arendal is in the basement of the main building. It is self-service and open around the clock. You can borrow books and read newspapers and magazines here.

    Many people want to bring flowers when visiting a patient in hospital, but due to allergies and the risk of infection, several of our departments are flower-free. If you would like to bring the patient a gift, we would appreciate it if you chose something other than flowers.

    Some patients are also allergic to perfume or perfumed creams. Please bear this in mind.

    Many patients and relatives want to take photos or videos or blog about their time in hospital. This is of course permitted, provided you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.

    Here are a few useful tips on using social media for patients and relatives:

    • Be considerate of others. You must have consent to take photos or videos of patients or staff. All patients are entitled to privacy while in hospital.
    • Parents/guardians decide whether you may take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. Once a child has turned 12, their views must be given significant weight. Once a child has turned 15, they decide for themselves whether they are comfortable being photographed and whether the photos may be published.
    • Remember that staff must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
    • You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If someone has posted photos of you online without your permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they refuse, you can contact: www.slettmeg.no.

    Audio recording
    It is not illegal to record conversations in which you are a participant for private use. However, publishing or sharing the recording requires the consent of the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations in which you are not participating is illegal.

    Have you worked in healthcare or received healthcare outside the Nordic countries in the past year?

    This may include, for example, a hospital admission, extensive outpatient treatment or a visit to the dentist. In that case, your GP must test you for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (such as MRSA).

    Ask your GP to send you the test result before your appointment with us and bring it with you when you come to the hospital.

    For a day visit or hospital stay, please bring the following:

    • Bring indoor shoes, a change of clothes and toiletries
    • Bring your regular medication. It may take time to obtain the same medication from the pharmacy.
    • Bring a list/overview of your regular medications
    • Medical equipment for daily use

    ​Sometimes we need a room for rest and reflection. We have three such rooms available for you and your loved ones. The rooms are open to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or faith.

    In Arendal, the hospital’s prayer room/chapel is on the basement level of the main building. In Kristiansand, the room is on the first floor of the main building, north entrance. Both rooms are open 24 hours a day. In Flekkefjord, the chapel is by the parking lot to the left of the main entrance.

    It is also possible to hold a memorial service in the chapel following a death. To arrange this, contact the hospital chaplains.

    Eg Church in Kristiansand is open every weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for those who would like a quiet place for reflection. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends.

    Kiosk
    The kiosk is located in the lobby on the first floor.

    The kiosk sells items such as newspapers, weekly magazines, fruit, chocolate, biscuits, ice cream, soft drinks, cards, flowers, some toiletries and various gift items.

    You can also buy sweet rolls, chicken wraps, bread rolls, salads, calzone, panini and hot dogs.

    Opening hours:
    Monday–Friday: 07:00–21:00
    Saturday and Sunday: 09:00–20:00

    ​If you have a serious illness that will be treated or monitored over a period of time, you may be entitled to be assigned a contact doctor in the specialist health service.

    The contact doctor scheme in the specialist health service is intended to ensure that your follow-up as a patient is better, safer and more effective. Having a contact doctor is a right for you as a patient and an obligation for the specialist health service.

    The contact doctor’s responsibilities

    The contact doctor has a particular responsibility for following up with you during treatment or follow-up in the specialist health service. The contact doctor’s responsibilities include:

    • being your regular medical point of contact throughout your course of care
    • being involved in your treatment or follow-up
    • keeping informed about the status of your treatment
    • helping ensure that your course of care proceeds as planned
    • contacting relevant staff/treatment unit if there are challenges with your course of care
    • informing you and your loved ones
    • being available to you and healthcare personnel for medical questions
    • a contact doctor does not replace your general practitioner

    Guide to contact doctors in the specialist health service

     

    Parking at Sørlandet Hospital is subject to a fee Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 20:00. Anyone wishing to park on hospital grounds must follow the signs and instructions on the payment machines.

    At the hospitals in Arendal and Kristiansand, you can pay for parking using EasyPark (mobile app) or by card at other locations. Check the signs for payment options and time limits.

    At the hospital in Kristiansand, you can register your parking using the EasyPark app, at the machine where you park, or on the Flowbird website.

    Register your payment on the website

    Overview of parking areas at Eg in Kristiansand
     

    At the hospital in Arendal, cameras read vehicle registration numbers as vehicles enter and leave the parking garage using the Autopay service. Follow the signs and read the instructions.

    Pay at the payment machine

    If you have not created a profile onAutopay.io​, you can pay at the machine by the main entrance. Enter your vehicle’s registration number. You can pay by card.

    Pay automatically

    Register as a customer using your registration number and bank card at www.autopay.io. Once registered, you will automatically be charged each time you park in the garage.

    At certain times, for example when there is a lot of snow, it may be difficult to find a parking space. We therefore recommend allowing plenty of time.

    For electric vehicles:

    Electric vehicles are subject to a fee from the first hour.

    Need to charge your car? Not all our hospital sites have charging stations, and those that do have a limited number. You should therefore not count on being able to charge your car while you are inside as a patient or visitor. You can see all charging stations here:

    All charging stations on one map - Norwegian Electric Car Association​

    Blood donors park free of charge at the hospital.
    For more information, contact the blood bank.


    Guardians of children (under 18) who are staying in hospital for more than 14 daysreceive free parking for the remainder of the child’s stay. This also applies if the child’s stay began at another hospital. Contact the hospital department for more information.

    A valid disabled parking permit entitles you to free parking in designated spaces
    Contact the Service Desk to register your disabled parking permit. Vehicles displaying a disabled parking permit are exempt from time limits unless otherwise stated on the sign.

    Parking for expectant mothers in Kristiansand
    Parking is free for expectant mothers outside the Women’s Department at the hospital in Kristiansand. The maximum parking time is 2 hours.

    Smoking can cause discomfort to others. Thank you for being considerate and helping Sørlandet Hospital maintain a smoke-free environment.

    ​The Service Desk in Arendal is located right by the main entrance. You can ask questions here about your appointment at the hospital.

    Opening hours:
    Weekdays: 07:00–21:00.
    Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 09:00–20:00.

    Need someone to talk to? Our hospital chaplains have extensive experience supporting people in different life situations. They will meet you on your terms, regardless of your faith, beliefs or outlook on life. The hospital chaplains are available 24/7 for patients, relatives and staff.

    Would you like to get in touch? You can ask hospital staff for help or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00.

    The hospital chaplains can also put you in touch with other faith and belief communities.

    If you need an interpreter, please notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. Interpreter costs are covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no

    Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.Helsenorge.no/interpreter

    All visitors can use the hospital’s free wireless internet.

    Look for HSO-Gjest in your network list and follow the instructions to log in.

    If you can’t find the network, you are in an area that has not yet been connected.

  • En by omgitt av trær og en elv

    Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand

    Egsveien 100, building 10

    Egsveien 100, building 10, 4615 Kristiansand

    Directions

    Transport

    You can reach our locations by public transport. Visit Agder public transport to find your route:akt.no

    You may be entitled to reimbursement of necessary expenses when travelling to and from your treatment location.

    As a general rule, you must use public transport and pay a co-payment. To get reimbursed for travel expenses you have paid, you must complete a travel expense claim form and send it toPatient Travel.

    Practical information

    At the hospital pharmacy in Kristiansand, you can fill prescriptions and buy pharmacy products.

    You’ll find us on the ground floor of the main building, just by the entrance.
    Open weekdays from 08:30 to 16:30.

    Hospital Pharmacy Kristiansand

    Does the appointment time not work for you? If you receive your appointment letter digitally via helsenorge.no, you can now send a message directly to the department you are due to visit if you need a new appointment time. You must be a registered user on Helsenorge to access the service.
    You can also contact the department where you have an appointment or call the switchboard on: 38 07 30 00
    ​


    Visiting hours may vary between departments and locations. Please check with the department where you have an appointment for more information.

    See an overview of the hospital’s departments

    General visiting hours:

    Arendal:
    17:00–19:00 on weekdays
    14:00–16:00 and 18:00–19:00 on weekends and public holidays

    Flekkefjord:
    14:00–15:00 and 18:00–19:00
    Maternity ward: 17:00–19:00 (quiet time/no visitors: 14:00–16:00)

    Kristiansand:
    17:00–19:00 on weekdays
    14:00–16:00 and 18:00–19:00 on weekends and public holidays

    Maternity ward: 16:00–18:00 every day for the newborn’s healthy siblings.

    Most inpatient wards in Kristiansand have a small collection of books that patients and relatives can borrow. Contact your department for more information and assistance.

    Many people wish to bring flowers when visiting a patient in hospital, but due to allergies and the risk of infection, several of our departments are flower-free. If you would like to bring the patient a gift, we would appreciate it if you chose something other than flowers.

    Some patients are also allergic to perfume or scented creams. We ask you to bear this in mind.

    Many patients and relatives want to take photos/videos or blog about their time in hospital. This is of course permitted, as long as you respect the privacy of other patients and staff.

    Here are some good tips for using social media if you are a patient or a relative:

    • Be considerate of others. You need consent if you want to take photos or videos of patients or employees. All patients are entitled to privacy while in hospital.
    • Parents/guardians decide whether you can take photos of children or publish photos of their children online. Parents should consider what is best for the child. When the child turns 12, the child's views must be given considerable weight. When the child turns 15, they decide for themselves whether they are happy to be photographed and whether the photos may be published.
    • Remember that employees must also give their permission if you want to publish photos you have taken of them.
    • You should remove content you have published if the person concerned asks you to. If others have posted photos of you online without permission, you can ask them to delete them. If they do not listen, you can contact: www.slettmeg.no.

    Audio recordings
    It is not illegal to record conversations in which you take part for private use. However, publishing and sharing recordings requires the consent of the person you are speaking with. Secretly recording conversations in which you do not take part is illegal.

    Our hairdresser is located on the third floor of the hospital's main building and is open to everyone. If needed, the hairdresser can come to the ward. The hairdresser also fits wigs. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 09:00 to 16:00.
    To book an appointment: ​ 94 81 59 01 

    See alsowww.harspesialisten.no​​to book an appointment.

    Have you worked in healthcare or received healthcare outside the Nordic countries during the past year?

    This may include, for example, a hospital stay, extensive outpatient treatment or a visit to the dentist. In that case, your GP must test you for bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics (for example, MRSA).

    Ask your GP to send you the test results before your appointment with us and bring them with you when you come to the hospital.

    From time to time, we need a room for rest and reflection. We have three such rooms available for you and your relatives. The rooms are open to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or faith.

    In Arendal, the hospital's quiet room/chapel is on the basement level of the main building. In Kristiansand, the room is on the first floor of the main building, north entrance. Both rooms are open 24 hours a day. In Flekkefjord, the chapel is by the car park, to the left of the main entrance.

    The chapel can also be used for memorial services in the event of a death. To arrange this, contact the hospital chaplains.

    Eg church in Kristiansand is open on weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00 for those who would like a quiet space for reflection. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 at weekends.

    ​Kiosk
    You will find the kiosk on the ground floor in the main building's lobby at Eg.

    Opening hours:
    Monday–Friday: 08:00–20:00
    Saturday and Sunday:​ 09:30–20:00

    At the kiosk, you can buy newspapers, magazines, fruit, chocolate, biscuits, ice cream, soft drinks, flowers, cards and various gift items.

    Cafeteria
    The “Kilden” cafeteria is located next to the kiosk and has the same opening hours.

    The cafeteria serves, among other things, rolls, baguettes, salads, cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs.

    Parking at Sørlandet Hospital is subject to a fee Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 20:00. Anyone wishing to park on hospital premises must follow the signs and instructions on the payment machines.

    At the hospitals in Arendal and Kristiansand, you can pay for parking using EasyPark (mobile app) or by card at the other locations. See the signs for payment options and time limits.

    At the hospital in Kristiansand, you can register your parking via the EasyPark app, at the payment machine where you park, or on the Flowbird website.

    Register payment on the website

    Overview of parking spaces at Eg in Kristiansand
     

    At the hospital in Arendal, cameras read vehicle registration numbers as vehicles enter and leave the car park through the Autopay service. Follow the signs and read the instructions.

    Pay at the payment machine

    If you have not created a profile onAutopay.io​, you can pay at the machine by the main entrance. Enter the vehicle registration number. You can pay by card.

    Pay automatically

    Register as a customer using your registration number and bank card at www.autopay.io. Once you have registered, you will be charged automatically each time you park in the car park.

    At certain times, for example when there is a lot of snow, it can be difficult to find a parking space. We therefore recommend that you allow plenty of time.

    For electric cars:

    Electric cars are charged a fee from the first hour.

    Need to charge your car? Not all our hospital sites have charging stations, and those that do have a limited number. You should therefore not count on being able to charge your car while you are here as a patient or visitor. You can view all charging stations here:

    All charging stations on one map - Norwegian EV Association​

    Blood donors can park for free at the hospital.
    For more information, contact the blood bank.


    Guardians of children (under 18) who have been in hospital for more than 14 daysreceive free parking for the remainder of the child's stay. This also applies if the child's stay began at another hospital. Contact the hospital ward for more information.

    A valid disability parking permit entitles you to free parking in designated spaces.
    Contact the Service Desk to register your disability parking permit. Vehicles displaying a disability parking permit are exempt from time limits unless otherwise indicated on the signs.

    Parking for expectant mothers in Kristiansand
    Free parking is available for expectant mothers outside the Women's Department at the hospital in Kristiansand. The maximum parking time is 2 hours.

    The Service Centre in Kristiansand is located right by the main entrance. You can contact us here with questions about your appointment at the hospital.

    Opening hours:
    Weekdays: 07:30–21:00.
    Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 08:00–21:00.

    Do you need someone to talk to? Our hospital chaplains have extensive experience supporting people in different life situations. They will meet you on your terms, regardless of your faith, beliefs or outlook on life. Hospital chaplains are available around the clock, every day of the week, for patients, relatives and staff.

    Would you like to get in touch? You can ask hospital staff for help or call the switchboard on 38 07 30 00.

    Hospital chaplains can also put you in touch with other faith and belief communities.

    If you need an interpreter, please notify the hospital well in advance of your appointment. Interpreter costs are covered by the health service.Helsenorge.no

    Patients not fluent in Norwegian are entitled to an interpreter.Helsenorge.no/interpreter

    All visitors can use the hospital’s free wireless internet.

    Look for HSO-Gjest in your network list and follow the instructions to log in.

    If you cannot find the network, you are in an area that has not yet been covered.

TEST VERSION
Machine-translated copy of sshf.no for testing only. Not official information.