You are very welcome Nina.

It's fine and normal to have some fear before any surgery, The fact that you are seeking advice ahead of your TKR tells me that you know how to lessen that fear, with information and knowledge.

And please know that the first week after surgery is the 'worst". It is a traumatic (to the body) surgery, so there will be some pain and stiffness as you start to rehab your new knee. I comforted myself by the fact that the pain was 1). less than I experienced before surgery and 2) the pain and stiffness lessened each day I did the rehab work (which was everyday!).

And if you change your point of view from "I have no choice" to "The surgery will work and it will make me feel much better in the near future", the journey will be a little easier.

Now at age 70, I've had both knees replaced (2022), my right hip replaced (March 2025) and on Aug 6th this year (yep, two weeks ago) I had my left shoulder replaced, I have faith and trust in the surgeons I work with, and the process of joint replacement has seen incredible advances over the last 30 years or so.

Again I wish you well. Reach out to me anytime before or after your surgery. I know you'll be feeling a lot better this Christmas!

Joe