Knee Replacement - Getting Prepared

Hi @johnbishop - Thanks for posting this! Dr. Ortiguera is my orthopedic surgeon and I'm having my second knee replacement early next year. He is excellent. I enjoyed watching his video!

I am getting ready to have my left knee done I had the right one done 2012 ,I had to spend three months in a rehab/ rest home.it was not fun .so I am not looking forward to this.

Hello @jenna16bella, you may notice I moved your discussion and combined it with a discussion titled, "Knee replacement - Getting prepared."

@jenna16bella, if you are comfortable sharing, what led to needing to be in a rehab/rest home for three months? Is that what has been suggested for your upcoming knee replacement for the other knee?

Jenna, I hope your left knee goes well and your rehab goes better than last time. Hopefully this time around you will be on your feet, bending the knee and feeling no pain much sooner than last time.

Hi @jenna16bella - So sorry to hear about your last TKR, but truly in medical technology years, the difference between 2012 and 2019 is HUGE. I had my first TKR in 4/17 and my second January of this year. In that time, my orthopedic surgeon had moved from traditional surgery to robotic arm assisted surgery which makes it much more accurate - resulting in less loss of bone, less pain, and quicker recovery time. My second knee proved that true for me. On every measure, I was further ahead this time than last - I quit taking pain meds sooner, I got released from PT sooner, I was able to manage all of the functional tasks (like climbing stairs and balance) sooner. I am hoping this will be true for you. Can you share what caused you to have to spend 3 months in rehab last time? Will you talk to your surgeon about your previous experience and see if he anticipates any improvement this time?

@jenna16bella I will be thinking of you when you have your TKR, when is it? I hope all will go well and you will not need to be in a rest home or rehab center for long, or at all. After my first TKR, I did go to a rehab hospital for 6 days. It was helpful, but I didn't bother with that after my second TKR.
Keep in touch so we can cheer you on when you have your TKR.
JK

I wanted to know if there is pre-physical therapy needed prior to my surgery.

Hi, @sunburned2020 I have had two TKRs and before the second one I asked my orthopedic surgeon about pre-surgery physical therapy. He asked if I was doing any exercises then. I was, both water exercises/jogging and riding my recumbent bike. He said that was perfect, that pre-PT would do no more than that, so if you have a bike, ride it, and if you can go to a pool which is probably not possible due to the current situation, then water jog. He likes both of these because there is no impact.

After the TKR he wanted me to do my bike for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, skipping two consecutive days for rest and recovery.

Every doctor does tend to have their own opinions and preferences though so you should check with your doctor to see if he feels those would be helpful for you. My doctor is very highly regarded but he does have some different opinions than some other orthopedists. He does not want the patient to ice after the TKR because ice prevents healing blood from getting to the wound to help heal it, and he only wants gentle PT.
JK

Hello @sunburned2020, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that we have moved your post to an existing discussion - Knee Replacement - Getting Prepared so that you can meet other members who can share their experience.

I had my right knee replaced a year ago in April and upon the recommendation of my Mayo Clinic care team did pre-surgery exercises that they recommended. I believe the pre-surgery exercises along with post surgery exercises made my recovery much easier.

Mayo Clinic's Approach to Knee Arthritis – Both Surgical … – YouTube
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mk9GZ7-Dz8

The FAQs of Knee Replacement Surgery with Dr. Ortiguera – Mayo Clinic
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKLNfnKgjNI&index=16&list=PL3A5R5osulIQxfgSwCDqVuTtOJXnKnDT-

Here are some of the pre-surgery knee exercises that I found and used most of them for about 3 to 4 weeks prior to my surgery:
https://www.allinahealth.org/health-conditions-and-treatments/health-library/patient-education/total-knee-replacement/preparing-for-surgery/before-surgery-knee-exercises

Do you already have your knee replacement surgery scheduled?

yes, I am scheduled to have Surgery June 25th, I had not heard from Mayo regarding any appointment scheduled until I asked.