Getting Back to Kneeling, Golf, or the Garden

Posted in: | Tags: | Posted on: 02-Nov-2026

Knee arthritis can gradually take you out of the activities you enjoy, whether that’s a round of golf, a weekend tennis match, a long hike, or getting down on the floor with your grandkids. For active adults and weekend warriors, losing that ability can be just as frustrating as the pain itself. Knee replacement is often thought of as a way to relieve pain, but for many people, the bigger goal is getting back to the sports and activities they love.

Advances of the muscle-sparing approach to knee replacement with Mako SmartRobotics™ are helping many patients get BackInAction™ after knee replacement.. Here’s a realistic look at what recovery involves and when you can expect to return to your favorite activities.

Why Kneeling, Golf, and Gardening Matter After Joint Replacement

These three activities ask a lot of your joints. Kneeling puts direct pressure on the front of the knee. Golf combines walking with a rotating swing that loads your hips and knees. Gardening mixes squatting, kneeling, lifting, and long stretches on your feet. If arthritis has made any of these difficult, a total knee replacement, a partial knee replacement, or a total hip replacement may help you move with less pain.

Can You Kneel After Knee Replacement?

Kneeling is one of the most common questions after knee surgery, and the honest answer is that it varies. In one study of 253 knees, about 80% of patients found kneeling extremely difficult or impossible before surgery, and kneeling improved after surgery, although many patients still reported some difficulty two years later.1 The same research found kneeling ability was best after partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement.1

Another study tested patients at least five months after total knee replacement and found that knees able to bend past 100 degrees were more likely to kneel comfortably.2 That is one reason consistent work on your range of motion matters so much. Start on a cushioned surface, use a kneeling pad, and ask your surgeon when it is appropriate for your knee.

Returning to Sports and Golf After Knee or Hip Replacement

Golf is widely considered a joint-friendly activity. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists golfing among the lower impact activities that are preferable to high-impact sports after both knee and hip replacement.6,7 A Mayo Clinic survey of golfers who had total knee replacement found that 57% returned to golf within six months, 81% played as often or more often than before, and far fewer reported pain while golfing after surgery than before.3

After hip replacement, a large review found that most patients returned to sports, with time to return ranging from about 16 to 28 weeks.5 Your timing may be quicker or slower. Many golfers start with putting and chipping, move to half swings, and build up to a full round. Walking the course, when you are cleared to do it, can add healthy exercise to your game.3 If you want ideas for keeping your swing comfortable, you may enjoy this look at staying on the course after 50.

Easing Back Into the Garden

Think of gardening as a gradual return rather than a single milestone. Early on, raised beds, long-handled tools, and a garden stool can let you enjoy your plants without deep bending. As your strength and flexibility improve, kneeling and longer sessions may become comfortable. For hip replacement patients, AAOS guidance notes that patients with posterior hip precautions should avoid bending the hip past 90 degrees, and when kneeling, should kneel on the knee of the operated leg.7 Always follow the specific precautions you were given, since they differ from person to person.

How Your Procedure May Affect Your Timeline

Research suggests patients often return to sports somewhat more readily after partial knee replacement than after total knee replacement, with average return to low-impact sports at roughly 12 to 13 weeks for both.4 Tools such as Mako robotic-arm assisted knee replacement and robotic-assisted hip replacement are designed to help with precise implant placement. Still, no technique guarantees a timeline.

Why Sparing Your Thigh Muscle Can Matter

In the traditional approach, the surgeon cuts into the quadriceps tendon to reach the joint. The subvastus approach instead lifts the vastus medialis, the teardrop shaped muscle on the inner thigh, out of the way without cutting through it. A review of 20 randomized trials found that, compared with the traditional approach, patients who had the subvastus approach regained a straight leg raise about 1.7 days sooner, reported less pain on the first day, and had more knee motion at one week.8 A later analysis of 33 trials also found subvastus approaches performed best for early motion and pain.9 Both reviews note that these advantages are greatest in the first days and weeks and even out over time, which is the window when you are working hardest to get back on your feet.

How Robotic Assistance Can Help

Before surgery, a CT scan of your knee is used to build a 3D plan. During surgery, the robotic arm helps guide bone preparation to that plan, which can support precise implant positioning and balance while protecting the surrounding soft tissue. In one study, patients who had robotic arm assisted knee replacement had less early pain, needed less pain medication, reached a straight leg raise sooner, needed fewer physical therapy sessions, and went home sooner than patients who had conventional surgery.10 The robot does not operate on its own. Your surgeon guides every step.

Together, these techniques may help many patients walk with less pain earlier, start therapy more comfortably, and ease back into daily routines sooner. Your own recovery still depends on your health, your knee, and the work you put into rehab.

Smart Steps for a Safe Return to the Activities You Love

A few habits can help you move forward with confidence:

Follow your rehab plan and keep working on bending and straightening your joint.
Start each activity in short sessions and add time gradually.
Use supports such as kneeling pads, carts, and raised beds while you rebuild strength.
Favor lower impact activities over jumping or jogging, which can stress your new joint.6
Review your postoperative instructions and call the office if something does not feel right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long after knee replacement can you kneel?

It varies widely, and your surgeon will tell you when it is safe. Many patients notice improvement over the first year or two, and studies show kneeling often improves after surgery, though some people still find it uncomfortable.1

Can you play golf after a knee replacement?

Yes, many patients return to golf after knee replacement. In one survey, 57% of golfers returned within six months and most reported less pain while playing than before surgery.3

When can you golf after hip replacement?

Many patients return to sports within about four to seven months after hip replacement. Reviews report return times of roughly 16 to 28 weeks, but your surgeon gives the final clearance.5

Is gardening safe after joint replacement?

For many patients, gardening can be a healthy, low-impact activity once they are cleared. Starting with raised beds and long-handled tools, then adding kneeling and longer sessions gradually, may help protect a new joint.

Can a muscle sparing robotic knee replacement help you recover faster?

It can for many patients. Research shows the subvastus approach can mean less pain and a quicker return of motion and leg control in the first days and weeks,8,9 and robotic arm assisted surgery has been linked to less early pain and a shorter hospital stay.10 Your own timeline still depends on your health and your rehab.

Your Next Step Toward Getting Back Out There

Whether your goal is a comfortable kneel in church, a full eighteen holes, or a season in the garden, a clear plan makes the path easier, and for knee replacement, a muscle sparing robotic approach may help you take those first steps sooner. If hip or knee pain is keeping you on the sidelines in Oklahoma City, Edmond, or Norman, you can request an appointment online to talk through your options and what recovery may look like for you.

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AUTHOR: Dr. Paul B. Jacob, DO, MSPT, FAAOS - Master Surgeon

Dr. Paul B. Jacob, DO, MSPT, FAAOS, is a certified Master Surgeon in joint replacement and robotic joint replacement of the hip and knee at the Oklahoma Joint Reconstruction Institute. Dr. Jacob is recognized as one of the Top 3 Orthopedic Surgeons in Oklahoma, who has performed over 8500 robotic joint replacement procedures. Dr. Jacob is active in numerous research studies on joint replacement technology and robotic outcomes. He provides advanced, minimally invasive solutions designed to restore mobility, reduce pain, and support faster recovery.

Credentials & Recognition

Dr. Jacob earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and also holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. He completed orthopedic residency training followed by fellowship training in adult reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic. He is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and has achieved Master Surgeon accreditation in both Joint Replacement and Robotic Joint Replacement from the Surgical Review Corporation.

Awards & Recognition

Dr. Jacob has been named one of the Top 3 Orthopedic Surgeons in Oklahoma City by ThreeBestRated®, selected through a rigorous 50-point inspection covering reputation, patient satisfaction, and clinical excellence. He was also recognized by Becker's Healthcare as one of the "10 Orthopedic Surgeons to Know." In 2022, Dr. Jacob became the first orthopedic surgeon in Oklahoma to earn Surgical Review Corporation accreditation as a Master Surgeon in both joint replacement and robotic joint replacement.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Jacob specializes in primary and revision hip and knee replacement, robotic-assisted joint surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and rapid-recovery protocols aimed at improving long-term joint function and patient outcomes.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment recommendations, please consult with Dr. Jacob at the Oklahoma Joint Reconstruction Institute.

Content authored by Dr. Paul B. Jacob and verified against official sources.