Objective <p>We aimed to evaluate the improvement effect of proprioceptive enhancement training combined with staged rehabilitation training on knee joint function in patients post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA).</p> Methods <p>This prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 80 patients with knee osteoarthritis after TKA, who were randomly allocated to a control group (routine rehabilitation training, <i>n</i> = 40) or an observation group (proprioceptive enhancement training + staged rehabilitation training, <i>n</i> = 40). Both groups underwent continuous training for 4 weeks, with the intensity tailored to the patients’ tolerance levels. Outcome measures included pain (VAS), knee function (HSS score), balance (BBS), range of motion (MKFA), and daily living ability (ADL). Postoperative complications were recorded.</p> Results <p>Both groups showed noticeable post-intervention improvement in all functional measures. After the intervention, the observation group had lower VAS score (Z = -4.448, η² = 0.228, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and ADL score (Z = -2.654, η² = 0.088, <i>p</i> = 0.008), and higher HSS score (t = 3.219, Cohen’s d = 0.720, <i>p</i> = 0.002), BBS score (t = 2.980, Cohen’s d = 0.665, <i>p</i> = 0.004), and MKFA (t = 4.464, Cohen’s d = 0.999, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) than the control group. The observation group exhibited a lower incidence of postoperative complications after TKA than the control group (<i>p</i> = 0.048).</p> Conclusion <p>Proprioceptive enhancement training &amp; staged rehabilitation training provides superior outcomes in pain relief, functional recovery, and complication reduction post-TKA. This combined approach presents a clinically valuable strategy for optimizing postoperative knee rehabilitation.</p>