Total knee replacement

Yes, there are many who have a positive experience with a TKR. Most people posting here are seeking solutions and possible suggestions when their outcomes were not what they hoped for. The people with good experiences have no need to hang around for very long, so you won't read too many positives here, which is a shame for those considering surgery. I had both knees done, one year apart and am very happy with the results. No more pain, and I can kneel using pads for gardening, full mobility otherwise, stairs no problem. I have 5 friends and/or family members that have had TKR's and none had problems so far.

Thank you. I was getting very discouraged by the experiences I was reading. You have given me the motivation to continue my research especially with a good doctor.

I am 6 1/2 months out from TKR at 66 years old. Walking was good at two months, but struggled with going up steps until two weeks ago. My new knee was warm to the touch until then, but when the temperature went down my pain soon went away then climbing steps was easier. I’m pretty happy now. Hope you have a good experience. Good luck to you.

I did all of those measures... ended up with the MUA though. So many variables to consider.
I can't say enough how valuable an ice machine is for pain alleviation!

Hi Vucci,

I'm a 70 y/o male and very fit, in the gym everyday.

In my 30s and 40s I ran marathons, a lot of them. I also inherited osteoarthritis from my Mom. Anyway the combination of all that pavement pounding and deteriorating cartilage in my knee left me bone on bone at age 66.

The last time I ran was in 2003. From there, the OA just got worse. I saw an ortho surgeon in 2021. At that time, I was bone on bone. The surgeon recommended I hire a well-qualified trainer at my gym to get my leg muscles strong before a replacement.

I did that and in 2022 I had both knees replaced, 3 months apart. I did the recommended rehab exercises and PT with a lot of energy and dedication, 3x/day for about a month for each knee.

My knees have never felt better. Please keep in mind that this is a traumatic surgery. There will be some pain, especially when doing the rehab exercises for at least two weeks. But every day it will be less painful.

I recommend finding a surgeon is his or her mid 30s to mid 40s, with a good pedigree from a medical school, residency, or both. My surgeon also used the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant for much better accuracy.

All the best to you! I hope this helps.

Joe

Thanks Benny. I had both knees replaced at age 67. Recovery took about two months, and sticking with the rehab exercises 3x/day for at least one month post-op.

The last thing to go away was slight pain going up or down stairs. Once that was gone, in about 3 months give or take, my knees never felt better.

The first two weeks post-op are the hardest. Some rehab exercises to increase flexion (bending the knee) just really hurt. But I pushed to the point of pain, and backed off. Each day the pain was a little less and I could go further.

I have had both knees replaced, three years apart. Both are a success. The second (right knee) was more painful, but not horrible. The second also needed a bit more effort to achieve full extension. My right knee (2nd replacement) was in quite bad shape. I had very little pain pre surgery with either knee, but more pain post surgery with the second knee. Now, 7 months post second surgery, I am walking daily, and climbing the hills in my yard. Happy, happy. I am so glad I had my knees replaced, and also so glad it's over.

I’m post 15 months and I still can not go down stairs freely, one step at a time.
At work I walk all day.

Funny you say that, I’m 10 post op and still struggling with the stairs, how do you go about walking all day?

Joe, were your Stryker/Mako robotic assistant surgeries done without cutting quads? I think this is referred to as "quad sparing." I appreciate your story of success! Thank you for sharing.