Persistent pain after knee replacement: online pain rehabilitation
An evidence-based online program developed by a rehabilitation medicine specialist to help people manage pain that persists after knee replacement surgery
No sign up required
How Kneed differs from standard rehabilitation programs
Kneed is not an exercise-only rehabilitation program.
Rather than focussing only on the knee joint, Kneed addresses how pain is processed and maintained by the nervous system after knee replacement, helping people to understand their pain and learn strategies to manage it.
It combines pain neuroscience education, movement retraining, brain training and teaches self-management skills to address factors known to contribute to persistent pain after surgery.
Kneed is the only online rehabilitation program for persistent pain after knee replacement that has been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.
How does Kneed work?
Kneed is a 13-module online program focused on understanding and managing persistent pain after knee replacement. Kneed provides a structured, flexible way to move forward when pain has persisted longer than expected.
• You choose which modules to complete and when
• Clear written content to explain pain and recovery
• Videos by an accredited Australian Physiotherapist demonstrating safe exercises
• Support to set goals, create personalised exercise and activity plans and manage flare-ups
• Accessible online, from home, on any device
Why pain can persist after knee replacement
Many people recover well after knee replacement surgery. However, for some people, pain can continue for months or even years despite the knee joint healing as expected.
Research, including our own, has shown that persistent pain after knee replacement is common, particularly when pain before surgery was severe or long-standing.
Importantly, ongoing pain is not simply a problem with the knee joint itself.
Pain is influenced by how the nervous system and brain respond to injury and surgery.
Over time, this system can become more sensitive and protective, even after tissues have healed.
Pain is also shaped by factors such as sleep, stress, mood, and worry, all of which can change during long periods of pain and recovery.
This does not mean that anything has “gone wrong” or that it is anyone’s fault. It means that pain after knee replacement can become a complex condition that needs a broader rehabilitation approach.
Kneed was developed to address these factors, helping people understand why pain persists and learn safe, evidence-based strategies to manage it and return to enjoyable activities.
What does the Kneed Program include?
Kneed combines education, exercise, movement and self-management strategies that reflect current evidence about persistent pain after knee replacement
Pain education
Clear explanations of why pain can persist after knee replacement and what it means, helping you informed decisions about recovery, exercise and activity.
Exercise and movement retraining
Guidance on safe, progressive exercise and movement that helps you build confidence in using your knee to return to everyday activities at your own pace.
Brain training
Do you see a left or right knee?
Targeted strategies that include motor imagery and tactile stimulation to address changes in movement control and pain processing after surgery.
Relaxation and stress regulation
Practical techniques you can use to manage the interaction between stress, tension and pain during recovery.
Strategies to manage flare-ups
A structured way to recognise flare-ups early and respond with safe and effective strategies that allow you to continue moving forward without setbacks
Sleep and activity strategies
Support to establish routines for sleep and strategies such as pacing activity that make rehabilitation more enjoyable and sustainable.
Goal setting and self-management
Tools to help you set meaningful goals and apply what you learn in ways that fit your life, values and priorities.
The Research Behind Kneed
Evidence base
Kneed was developed as part of a PhD program at Monash University by Dr Nathan Johns, a specialist rehabilitation medicine physician, with the aim of translating contemporary pain science into an accessible online rehabilitation program.
The program was evaluated in a pilot randomised controlled trial, comparing people who completed the Kneed program with those who continued with usual care.
The study examined feasibility, acceptability, and participant-reported outcomes, reflecting the early-stage evaluation of a complex rehabilitation program.
Results from this research were published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Clinical Rehabilitation.
Kneed continues to be refined and developed in line with emerging evidence and clinical research.
What the research tells us
The trial findings support that an online, education- and self-management-focused rehabilitation program is feasible and acceptable for people with persistent pain after knee replacement.
Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and reported improvements in their ability to manage pain and function.
As with all rehabilitation research, responses varied between individuals.
Is Kneed the right fit?
Kneed might be the right fit for you if you still have perssistent knee pain more than 3 months after your knee replacement, especially if pain is affecting exercise, confidence, sleep and returning to normal activities.
Kneed is unlikely to be suitable for you if you are seeking a diagnosis or have concerns about infection or prosthesis failure.
Starting the Kneed program
You can start by exploring Kneed for free or choose the paid options of a 1 week trial or 3 month full program
Free Kneed
Understand why pain can persist
Free Kneed is a short, self-paced educational introduction that explains why pain can continue after knee replacement, even when healing has occurred and your doctors have been reassuring.
It is designed to help you make sense of your experience and decide whether a rehabilitation approach like Kneed feels right for you.
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Education only
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No obligation to continue
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Designed for understanding, not treatment
Free
Trial Kneed - 1 Week
Explore the program
Full access to all Kneed modules for 1 week (no subscription).
You can explore how the rehabilitation approach works in practice.
This step is not intended to complete the program or achieve results in a week.
Most people use it to explore the structure and feel of Kneed before deciding whether to continue.
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Full program access
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7 days, no renewal
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Explore safely and without pressure
$60 AUD
(GST included)
Full Kneed – 3 months
Complete the program
Full access to all Kneed modules for 3 months (no renewal).
Kneed is a structured, evidence-based rehabilitation program designed to be completed over three months, at your own pace.
The full program combines education, movement retraining, brain training and self-management strategies informed by rehabilitation medicine and contemporary pain science.
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Three months access
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Self-paced
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No subscription or ongoing fees
$ 240 AUD
(GST included)
Kneed is an education and self-management program designed to complement and not replace care from your doctors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I still have pain after a knee replacement?
Pain after knee replacement can persist for different reasons.
While the knee joint itself may heal well, pain is also influenced by how the nervous system and brain respond to injury, surgery and how severe pain was before the operation.
Factors such as sleep, stress, changed movement patterns and how one feels about the knee can all contribute. Persistent pain after knee replacement is common and does not mean that surgery has failed or that anything is “wrong”.
Is Kneed a medical treatment or a replacement for my doctor?
No.
Kneed is an education and self-management program designed to complement and not replace care from your doctor or surgeon.
It does not provide a medical diagnosis or individual clinical treatment. Many people use Kneed alongside ongoing medical or physiotherapy care.
Is Kneed just exercises?
No.
Kneed is not an exercise-only program.
While movement and exercise are important parts of the program, Kneed also includes pain education, brain-based strategies, relaxation, flare-up management, sleep guidance and goal setting to reflect the current evidence about persistent pain after knee replacement.
Is Kneed evidence-based?
Yes.
Kneed was developed by a specialist rehabilitation medicine physician as part of a PhD program at Monash University.
It has been evaluated in a pilot randomised controlled trial and the results were published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. The program continues to be refined in line with emerging research and clinical evidence.
Will Kneed reduce my pain?
Kneed does not guarantee pain reduction.
Persistent pain is complex and individual and responses to rehabilitation vary. Kneed is designed to help people understand their pain and develop skills to manage it safely, improve confidence with movement and support participation in meaningful and enjoyable activities.
How long does the program take?
Kneed contains 13 modules that you can complete at your own pace.
Some people focus on specific modules, while others work through the full program over several weeks. The 3 month access option provides enough time for structured engagement, but there is no required schedule.
What if I have a pain flare-up whilst doing the program?
Pain flare-ups are common during recovery and rehabilitation.
Kneed includes specific modules that help you understand why flare-ups occur and how to respond safely, so that flare-ups do not automatically mean stopping or losing progress.
Can I start without committing to the full program?
Yes.
You can begin with Free Kneed, which provides access to the introductory module and quizzes. This allows you to explore the approach and decide whether it feels right for you before choosing any paid access.
Is Kneed suitable if my surgeon says my knee is “OK”?
Yes.
Kneed does not diagnose pain or assess the knee joint itself.
It is designed for people whose pain has persisted despite reassurance that the knee replacement is structurally sound and who want a rehabilitation approach that addresses pain processing and recovery more broadly.
Do I need my doctor's or surgeon's permission to do Kneed?
No.
You do not need permission to access Kneed. However, you should continue to follow the advice from your treating health professionals, particularly if you have specific medical restrictions.
What equipment do I need?
Kneed is completed online using a computer, tablet or phone.
Exercises and brain training use minimal equipment that can be found at home.
Prefer to learn more first?
If you’re not ready to start the program, you can receive a short educational email series explaining why pain can persist after knee replacement and how Kneed is designed to help.
