I am 81 and was 80 when I had a right TKR. I was severely misaligned before surgery so I could barely walk without severe pain. I had complete faith in my surgeon (more on that later) but I feared general anesthesia. My surgeon's general approach is regional anesthesia and I made sure with the anesthetist that I was having that.

Shortly before my surgery I met with my surgeon. I told him that I would like to be able to resume playing golf by the end of the fourth week. He replied that was an aggressive target but he was up to the challenge if I was. I was. He was. on the 27th day after the surgery I was playing golf.

My surgeon did a minimally invasive procedure (mid vastus); did not use a tourniquet; used a robot to assist him (CORI); put in a bicruciate retaining implant (BCR); corrected my severe valgus misalignment with a Functional alignment; and did a plastic surgery close.

I was prepared for pain and had filled the oxycodone RX. But I had zero pain and the oxy bottle remains unopened. My surgeon's recovery protocol was to essentially rest the first two weeks while constantly icing with a quality ice machine (e.g., NICE or Game Ready) and then commence physical therapy in the third week. That week my therapist measured my ROM as 122 and my extension as flat.

At six months I was basically not noticing that my right knee was made of oxidized zirconium while my left knee was made of bone. At my six month checkup, my surgeon told me I had no limitations.

I ascribe credit as follows: 5% for me for finding the surgeon (he replaced my left hip five years ago and I had no pain then either); 90% for the incredible skill and experience of my surgeon; and 5% for luck (good in my case). I believe that the key factor is finding that great surgeon, even at our advanced ages.