Objective To compare the effects of teach-back based on Social Cognitive Theory （SCT） on the short-term recovery of patients following total knee arthroplasty （TKA）.Methods One hundred unilateral TKA patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 50 patients in each group.The control group received standard intervention.The intervention group received a teach-back educational rehabilitation intervention designed based on SCT.Both interventions lasted for 4 weeks.We compared self-efficacy in rehabilitation exercise, compliance with rehabilitation exercise, knee joint scores, quality of life, and knee joint activity between the two groups before and at the fourth week after discharge.Results At the fourth week after discharge, the intervention group exhibited significantly higher self-efficacy, compliance with rehabilitation exercise, knee joint scores, Timed Up and Go test results, knee flexion and extension angles, and quality of life scores compared to the control group （all P＜0.05）.Conclusion The teach-back based on SCT can improve exercise compliance and self-efficacy in patients after TKA, and facilitate the recovery of knee joint function.