Kneeling After TKA

Yes the “ facts” are interesting but the point of this kind of site is sharing our experiences … with kindness and respect

After reading this article which I found interesting, @kathi100 posted, I'd be very curious to know how many patients actually had PT that involved any type of recommended therapy to help with kneeling? I know I did not. Even with my knee pain prior to replacement, I was able to kneel easily, but not afterwards. I do think this needs to be something addressed with a patient prior to surgery. My doctor never mentioned kneeling could be a potential issue & as it was mentioned in the article, many patients have expectations that include being "back to normal" which includes kneeling.

Nothing came up in my PT, though it didn't occur to me to ask and I had a very good therapist to work with. All I found in my own pre-surgery research was that it was difficult for some patients. So I just experimented with various types of cushion material until I found what worked for me. I can kneel when I need to, but it will never be comfortable.
I was not impressed with the YouTube videos that claimed you can desensitize yourself by doing it often. I can anticipate the discomfort of kneeling on a hard object and ease myself down slowly, but the prostheses will always remain hard, and always be there.

I agree that it is something that should be addressed clearly before surgery and also during PT. Not everyone can kneel before surgery due to weight, strength and mobility issues. But those that are active kneelers should be given better instructions on how to resume kneeling.

Maybe it doesn't come up because the normal allowed PT instruction time of 4-6 weeks has not yet allowed the knee and scar to fully heal and they don't want you to put that kind of pressure on the knee yet. I don't remember how long after surgery I started kneeling.

I'm 9 months out & was unable to get a Jiffy because of previous knee surgery. I cannot see me kneeling any more. The promise you'll be exercising & dancing once again, can't see that yet. All the exercise caused problems with hips that have already been a little problem. Looking forward to that almost back to "normal"! At this point putting off surgery on other knee, The difficulty of age!

Hugs always nice, thank you. Hope you are well.

Can you do yoga after knee replacement surgery

I don’t know about yoga, but I do Pilates several times a week, both mat and reformer.

Yes, but it depends on regaining your knee flex to a good level. Sitting cross legged, I can't get my knees down to the floor as far as before, so heel on opposite knee won't go, and you have to be careful of not putting too much twist pressure on the knee. But that doesn't mean you can't adapt positions to what you can manage.

Something like child's position with both knees on the floor has become more comfortable with time. I used to need an extra pillow under the knees, but now I am fine with just the living room carpet.

I have not been able to kneel since my double knee replacement. The person that recommended my surgeon was a dancer and that was a question I asked. She dropped to her knees with no pain. I was so looking forward to getting back to yoga. My right knee was never as good as my left and I went back for a number a years and their was nothing they could see that was wrong with the knee. I went for 2 second opinions. First doc said total knee replacement. The second said the only thing he saw was that the knee didn't line up exactly and there was some overhang and a lot of scar tissue. I don't want another surgery. I can walk much better and do so every day. I tried chair yoga...not the same experience.

@mark3248
Quality of life with less pain.
That was my goal and now I am rehabbing my second TKR.
Blessings to all.