Transform Knee Surgery Recovery with the Smooth Knee Protocol
Clinician-designed positioning tools and a proven rehabilitation hierarchy — developed over 30+ years of orthopedic practice and validated by measurable patient outcomes.
Outdated post-op tools are costing your patients — and your outcomes.
Stacked pillows. Rolled towels. Makeshift props. CPM machines. Too many post-op protocols rely on inconsistent positioning, allowing the knee to rest in slight flexion — undermining recovery from the start.
In the critical first 10–14 days after surgery, failure to keep the knee fully extended and elevated leads to a cascade of complications that are difficult to reverse.
The right tool changes everything.
before protocol
after protocol
One surgeon. One year. One protocol. After comparing outcomes between patients following standard care and those following the Smooth Knee Protocol with a proper Positioner, the results were night and day — and convinced an entire surgical team to adopt a unified standard.
The Smooth Knee Protocol
Developed over 30+ years of orthopedic practice, the Smooth Knee Protocol is a hierarchy-based rehabilitation framework built on a single principle: control swelling first, then restore motion, then build strength. The Positioner is the tool that makes it possible.
Rest
Optimize time in the Positioner. Limit the knee in a dependent position to 10 minutes at a time.
Ice
Apply ice with compression continuously except during exercise and bathroom breaks.
Elevation
Place the Positioner under the patient's leg as soon as possible after surgery — ideally in the OR.
Therapy
Exercises begin in the PACU and are performed four times per day, focused on extension and flexion.
The hierarchy that drives outcomes
The Smooth Knee Protocol is not just a set of tools — it is a sequenced approach. Edema control and ROM are addressed in the critical first 10–14 days. Higher-level strengthening and balance training begin only after that window is secured. This sequence is what separates the Smooth Knee Protocol from standard protocols — and what the data consistently validates.
The tool that makes the protocol work.
Both positioners are designed to hold the knee in terminal extension while elevating the lower extremity — creating optimal conditions for swelling control and early motion. Choose based on your facility's clinical goals, patient volume, and budget.
ElevateX Positioner
Advanced Support for Premium Outcomes
LRU Positioner
Reliable Recovery at ScaleNot sure which is right for your facility? Contact us for a custom recommendation.
Contact UsThe data that convinced a surgical team.
After one year of comparing outcomes between standard care and the Smooth Knee Protocol, the results were unambiguous — and led an entire surgical team to adopt a unified protocol.
"Since implementing the Smooth Knee Protocol and the Positioner, we've seen faster recoveries, fewer complications, and happier patients. Our passion is to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes so they can return to the things they enjoy."
— Scott Johnson, PT & Dr. Matthew Lawless, MD — Co-Founders, Knee Rehab ProsThree steps to better outcomes at your facility
Choose Your Positioner
Select the ElevateX or LRU Positioner based on your clinical goals, patient volume, and budget.
Implement the Protocol
Download the resources, train your team, and begin applying the Smooth Knee Protocol from day one post-op.
Deliver Results That Set You Apart
Help patients recover faster and more fully — while positioning your team as leaders in orthopedic care.
Everything you need to get started.
All resources are available on the Smooth Knee Protocol page — ready to download or preview instantly. Share them with your surgical team, administrators, and clinical staff.
PowerPoint Pitch
A ready-to-present deck for introducing the Smooth Knee Protocol to surgeons, administrators, and clinical teams.
Facility Implementation Plan
Complete step-by-step guide for surgical and therapy teams — covering post-op care, exercises, positioner instructions, and HSS research alignment.
Patient Daily Rehab Guide & Tools
A take-home reference for patients — daily reminders, exercise cues, and positioner instructions to keep them on track through the first 10–14 days.
Research Report
Three clinical studies and outcome data behind the Smooth Knee Protocol — the evidence that led hospitals to implement this approach.
All downloads and previews are available on the Smooth Knee Protocol page →
Ready to elevate your outcomes?
Contact us for facility pricing, a custom demo, or to discuss how the Smooth Knee Protocol can be implemented at your hospital or outpatient center.