Is It Normal to Still Have Pain Months After Joint Replacement?
Published by Dr Oliver Khoo at Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Joint replacement is a major surgical procedure. The body needs time to heal soft tissues, bone, and the surrounding nerves that have been affected by the operation.
Pain and swelling are most intense immediately after surgery. This is expected as tissues recover from the surgical trauma. Most people will be given pain relief and encouraged to begin gentle mobility exercises within days of their procedure. Swelling and discomfort during this stage are completely normal and part of healing.
For many patients, pain continues to decrease gradually over this period. Around six weeks, swelling often reduces significantly, and mobility should steadily improve. Your physiotherapist and surgeon will track your progress and advise on safe activity levels.
This is where many patients start to feel real functional improvement. By three to six months, most of the intense post-operative pain should have eased. However, it isn’t unusual for mild discomfort or stiffness to persist — particularly with changes in weather, activity levels, or after longer periods of walking or standing. Complete recovery, including full strength and flexibility, can take up to a year.
Key point: Long-lasting pain immediately after surgery is not unusual in this timeline — but its intensity and pattern gradually change as healing progresses.
Even when recovery is progressing normally, pain at the surgical site is influenced by several factors:
As soft tissues settle and nerves regenerate, sensations can shift, fluctuate, or feel different from the original arthritic pain. Some patients report tingling or burning as nerves “reconnect” — and this can feel uncomfortable though it’s often part of the nerve healing process.
Scar tissue can restrict mobility and create tightness or soreness around the joint. Appropriate physiotherapy helps minimise this.
Muscles around the new joint need to regain strength. If muscles remain weak, this can cause strain and discomfort even months after surgery.
Increased activity as you return to normal life — walking, climbing stairs, gardening — can temporarily elevate pain levels. This is different from surgical pain and often responds to rest, ice, and guided exercise.
While some pain is normal, there are important symptoms that are not expected and should prompt medical review:
If pain does not gradually improve over time and instead remains constant or increases, this could be an early sign of a complication.
Watch for:
A clicking, catching, or grinding sensation that wasn’t present during early recovery may indicate implant alignment problems.
Joint infections can occur early or even months after surgery. Symptoms may include redness, excessive warmth, unusual swelling, fever or increased pain. Although uncommon, infection of the prosthetic joint can be serious and sometimes requires surgical or antibiotic treatment.
Here are ways to support your recovery and keep pain within normal bounds:
Regular, guided physiotherapy helps build strength and flexibility — essential for a lasting recovery.
These can help reduce swelling after activity.
Gradually return to daily tasks and avoid high-impact movements until your surgeon or physio advises.
Report any new or concerning symptoms early — early intervention often prevents bigger issues.
1. Is it normal to still feel pain 3 months after joint replacement?
Yes. Many patients continue to feel mild to moderate discomfort at three months. Pain should be gradually decreasing and usually less intense than in the first eight to 12 weeks. If pain is severe or increasing, talk to your surgeon.
2. When should pain prompt immediate medical attention?
Seek urgent advice if you experience fever, a hot or very swollen joint, severe night pain, redness, or pain that gets worse instead of better. These signs could suggest infection or other complications.
3. Can you have pain 6 months after joint replacement?
Yes — mild pain, stiffness and sensitivity to weather or activity are common up to six months and beyond. Full recovery can take up to a year.
4. What’s the difference between normal healing pain and something serious?
Normal healing pain should gradually improve and respond to rest, icing, and gentle exercise. Pain that’s worsening, occurs suddenly, or comes with other symptoms (like swelling, redness or fever) isn’t typical and should be assessed medically.
5. Will my joint ever be completely pain-free?
Many patients experience significant long-term pain reduction compared with their arthritis before surgery. However, sensitivity or mild discomfort may remain, particularly after intense activity. Discuss realistic expectations with your surgeon.
It’s normal to experience some pain months after joint replacement as part of the healing journey. But the pain should gradually subside over time and not interfere with your recovery. Understanding the typical recovery timeline and knowing what symptoms are red flags empowers you to take charge of your healing and seek medical advice when needed.
If you have any persistent concerns or unusual symptoms, your orthopaedic surgeon or health team is the best resource to help you understand what’s happening and keep your recovery on track.