PT for how long?

dna41, I think the average time is 12 weeks, unless, you are released sooner. I had my TKR on March 23rd, 2026. I missed a few sessions due to illness. I was going twice a week, now I only go once a week.

How do you think you are doing without the PT?

I have extended mine due to balance issues and my gait. I am still doing exercises at home faithfully.

Prayers & Blessings....

what is your range of motion I think is the big question. And keep up your strength and balance and heel slides. Ask your surgeon for a check up and get that input.

@covidstinks2023 I think I am doing quite well. My range of motion is very good. My main complaint now is balance. Also, my other knee needs a TKR so that makes it hard for me to tell how well I am doing because I'm still experiencing pain with stairs. squats, etc. I just didn't know what the suggested time-frame for PT was.

@insicknessandinhealt Range of motion is good. I will admit I am not doing as much exercise as I should. I know that my surgeon may be able to tell me more but I couldn't get an appt. until January 2027!

perhaps your surgeon has an assistant to consult with. If you know your ROM, what is it? and DO your Exercises~~ they are MOST important!

I tMuscle declines quickly when we don't continue with strength training. I would also suggest PT at a private office bc they have more equipment to help build mobility and strength.

Don’t stop your PT exercises! Whether you do them with a physiotherapist or on your own at home, keep going! Incorporate them into your daily activities. Make them a habit that you never break. Especially important if you are looking at a second TKR, because they will serve as pre-hab. My PT kept reminding me that the soft tissue around the joint and leg takes a year or longer to adjust and align and strengthen. Don’t stop! Keep working on it!

PT DURATION TOTALLY DEPENDS ON THE PATIENT.

@vtsun Thank you for highlighting the importance of PT. I have become too complacent and need to do better. Appreciate your encouragement.

You’ve gotten lots of good commentary and information imo. I had two TKRs (one in Jan 23, one in Jan24). I have continued to stretch and strengthen to this day. I try to go to yoga class at my local YMCA once or twice a week, and work out (cardio and weights) 2-3 times a week. I also stretch my knees every night as I go to bed.

My surgeon (a friend of mine) told me that I would always know that these “are not my God-given knees”. I get it now. If I let up on the stretches and workouts, the stiffness returns. Will this change with time? I don’t know but I suspect not.

The good news is that this activity is good for me as I age (I’m 69). Further, any discomfort is significantly less than the pre-op pain levels. Any hopes I had (thankfully?) of becoming a couch-potato in my later years are dashed.

Keep working and be thankful that, hopefully, you’re now more mobile and in less pain than before. Best of luck to you.