Can You Use a Vibration Plate After a Knee Replacement?
Knee-replacement surgery (or knee arthroplasty) is a procedure that replaces worn-out joints in the knee with a prosthesis (an artificial joint made of metal or plastic). The operation can be life-changing, drastically reducing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing quality of life.1 Recovery takes time, though, sometimes a full year or more.2
Your surgeon will offer personalized instructions for your rehabilitation plan, but a big part of healing and recovery that first year is physical therapy and at-home exercises that strengthen muscles in the knee and reduce stiffness.2 One thing that might be beneficial after an arthroplasty is whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy—standing on a vibrating platform called a vibration plate.3
In this guide, we'll look at the advantages, possible risks, and safety considerations of using a vibration plate after knee-replacement surgery.
Understanding Vibration Plate Therapy
First, let's touch on the basics of vibration plate therapy and why some people might consider it following a knee replacement.
What Is Whole-Body Vibration (WBV)?
Whole-body vibration therapy involves standing on a vibration plate or doing other simple exercises on the platform. The platform sends rapid vibrations up into the feet and throughout the rest of the body, creating slight instability and engaging several muscle groups, especially in the lower body.
Without requiring much mental effort to stay balanced, WBV can offer some of the same benefits of strength training and aerobic exercise, like enhanced blood circulation, stronger muscles, reduced stiffness, improved joint flexibility, and increased bone density.4,5
Why Consider It After Knee Replacement?
Whole-body vibration has been shown to help with symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (when cartilage in knee joints wears down), including relieving pain and stiffness.6 Using a vibration plate for knee pain can also improve strength in the lower body, particularly in muscles that support the knees, like the quadriceps (front of the thigh), hamstrings (back of the thigh), popliteus (back of the knee), calves, and hips.7
Recovering from a knee-replacement surgery is about more than just healing from the procedure and adjusting to the prosthesis. To regain lost mobility and joint function, you'll need to build strength and continuously work on flexibility and balance.2 WBV can help as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that includes physical therapy and daily movement, like walking, stretching, and day-to-day tasks.
Research-Backed Benefits of Vibration Plates Post–Knee Replacement
Let's see what the research says about using a vibration plate post-knee replacement.
Increased Muscle Strength
One study looked at the effects of supplementing physical therapy with whole-body vibration for rehabilitation in people who had a total knee arthroplasty. It found that WBV helped significantly improve strength in the knee extensor (muscles that extend the knee joint to straighten the leg), as well as joint function and overall mobility.3
The results of whole-body vibration therapy were similar to resistance exercises traditionally used in arthroplasty rehab programs. But WBV is a low-impact activity, meaning it minimizes strain on the joints, which can be crucial following a surgery or when just starting out on a strength-building routine.8
Reduced Pain & Swelling
Another study found that knee-replacement patients who used WVB therapy after the procedure showed not only increased knee extensor strength but also reduced pain and swelling around the calf, which is common following this type of surgery.9
These benefits are likely due to the boost in blood circulation from using a vibration platform, which can help lower inflammation—inflammation can cause pain and the fluid buildup in tissues that leads to swelling.10
Support for Balance & Bone Health
Bone mineral density often decreases during the first few months following a knee-replacement surgery, partly due to the drastic decrease in weight-bearing physical activity during the healing process. It can also happen with age, and people who get knee arthroplasties are usually 60 years or older.11
Whole-body vibration therapy has been shown to increase bone density along with muscle mass, which is critical in the first year after a total knee replacement. This improves overall functionality in the lower body, helping with balance and stability while reducing the risk and fear of falling.12
Typical Vibration Plate Protocol After Surgery
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise or therapy, especially if you've recently had surgery. Your surgeon, physical therapist, or care team can give you personalized guidance on whether WBV is suitable for your unique needs and recovery timeline.
Having said that, here are some general guidelines for those who get medical approval to use a vibration plate after a knee replacement.
When to Start
There's no one-size-fits-all best time to start WBV following a major operation. In some cases, your care team or physical therapist might say you can start whole-body vibration therapy as soon as two weeks after knee surgery. But depending on factors like how the incision is healing, swelling, and pain level, it may be better to start three to six weeks after the procedure.9 If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to ask your provider about who cannot use vibration plates to make sure it’s safe in your situation.
Progressive Approach
As with any form of physical therapy or exercise routine following a surgery, a progressive approach is best. In other words, starting with very short sessions, even just two to five minutes at first, on the lowest intensity level and gradually building up as your strength and balance improve. For guidance, learn how often should you use a vibration plate in our blog, especially during rehabilitation.
It's also recommended to begin with static standing (standing upright with your feet planted on the vibration plate, knees slightly bent) and then add in other moves such as squats and balance movements over time. This will help prevent muscle strain and over-exertion while you're still healing.
Safety Considerations
The studies mentioned above showed no adverse effects of whole-body vibration therapy for knee arthroplasty patients.3,6 Still, you'll want to be as safe as possible when using a vibration platform after knee surgery. If you’re researching options, be sure to consider what to look for in a vibration plate so you get the right model for recovery and long-term use. Beyond following your healthcare provider's post-op instructions, here's what we suggest.
General Safety of Vibration Plates for Joint Replacements
As mentioned, it's best to start slowly with short sessions and a low-intensity vibration level. A vibration plate with a built-in handlebar is ideal for those building up their strength and balance, as it helps keep you steady on your feet. Also, be sure to wear proper footwear (athletic shoes with high-traction outsoles) for optimal stability.
During those first few weeks after knee arthroplasty, you may want to have someone nearby during your WBV sessions. They can help you step on and off the platform and assist in case of an emergency.
Medical Conditions That May Be Contraindications
Certain medical conditions might be contraindications to whole-body vibration, meaning they could make the therapy unsafe. Ask your provider if you're unsure, but generally speaking, you should avoid a vibration plate if you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a pacemaker, severe osteoporosis, or an uncontrolled heart condition, such as angina (chest pain), untreated high blood pressure (hypertension), or aortic stenosis (narrowed aortic valve).
Clinical Study Spotlight
A randomized controlled trial looked at the effects of WBV on patients who had total knee arthroplasty. Compared to those who didn't use vibration therapy, those who used a vibration plate regularly showed more improvements in joint function, lower-body muscle strength, and bone density six months after surgery.13
Another clinical study found that vibration therapy helped those with knee osteoarthritis by reducing pain, inflammation, swelling, and joint stiffness in just three weeks without any adverse effects reported.14
The Lifepro Advantage in Post-Surgical Recovery
At Lifepro, we understand that everyone's journey to rehabilitation and long-term wellness is unique. That's why we're committed to providing people with the tools they need to recover, gain strength, maintain mobility, and achieve lifelong well-being.
Our carefully constructed vibration plates are designed for safe, home-friendly use. To accommodate beginners and those in post-surgical rehab programs, we have models with multiple intensity levels, guided routines, secure handrails, and adjustable handlebars.
Again, always ask your physical therapist or surgeon before using WBV. Once they give you the go-ahead, consider purchasing one for convenient at-home use. Need help deciding? Our Lifepro vibration plate comparison guide is a great place to start.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic. Knee replacement. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/knee-replacement/about/pac-20385276
- Cleveland Clinic. Knee Replacement. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8512-knee-replacement
- Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. Whole-body vibration strengthening compared to traditional strengthening during physical therapy in individuals with total knee arthroplasty. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09593980902967196?journalCode=iptp20
- Mayo Clinic. Is whole-body vibration a good way to lose weight and improve fitness?. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/whole-body-vibration/faq-20057958
- Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. Vertical whole body vibration for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a pilote monocentric prospective, randomized trial. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00402-025-05842-8
- Joint Bone Spine. The application of whole-body vibration training in knee osteoarthritis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1297319X21001494
- Arthroplasty. Improving pain, function and quality of life in end-stage knee osteoarthritis: a patient-preference cohort study on whole-body vibration and exercise as bridging therapies for total knee replacement. https://arthroplasty.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42836-025-00301-6
- Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity. Vibration therapy: clinical applications in bone. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4458848/
- Journal of Clinical Medicine. Early Post-Operative Intervention of Whole-Body Vibration in Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6912668/
- Cleveland Clinic. Inflammation. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NVBI). Vibration Applications After Total Knee Arthroplasty in Osteopenic Women. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06988033
- Journal of Physical Therapy Science. Effect of Whole Body Vibration Exercise in the Horizontal Direction on Balance and Fear of Falling in Elderly People: A Pilot Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4135203/
- Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. The effect of whole-body vibration in osteopenic patients after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35028919/
- BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Effect of low-magnitude, variable-frequency vibration therapy on pain threshold levels and mobility in adults with moderate knee osteoarthritis—randomized controlled trial. https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-023-06334-9
- Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. https://medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/2032
