Good points. There's the pain of rehab/PT, and then there's just the pain of recovering from a major surgery.

A TKR is a common but traumatic surgery. The incision is around 8" long and cuts are made first into the skin and then the knee capsule. There is a small incision made into the quadriceps to release the patella so the surgeon can move it aside. The metal prostheses are set in place with taps from a surgical hammer.

I don't mean to be so graphic, but this is what usually happens. Once the work is done and the incision closed, and any nerve blocks wear off, it's gonna hurt. That's why it's best to take pain medication before the nerve block wears off. In some cases, the anesthesiologist will attach a unit that pumps a diluted nerve block for a few days.

Then there is the pain - discomfort really - of the rehab/PT. You're gonna bend and flex your knee and walk each day, multiple times a day. That pain is best described as soreness. It's gonna be worse the first few days but should start to get better, especially as swelling starts to increase. Again, you can take pain meds before rehab/PT to lessen the soreness during exercise.

But please be diligent. It is so very important with a TKR to do the exercises prescribed early and often (3x/day).

(One other thing I wasn't told - a tight tourniquet is applied around your thigh during surgery to reduce bleeding. This is removed before you wake up. It will most likely leave a large and intimidating-looking bruise in the days after surgery. Just be ready for it. It doesn't hurt much. Also, always look for the signs of infection, although that is rare.)

All the best to you rainer, and to all who get a TKR, or two, like me.