@rorygrabowsky : Just adding a few comments.... Had knee pain due to some arthritis, and partially torn Meniscus, and some cartilage floaters in knee. Cortisone injection did not help, so had knee “clean-out” surgery in 2019. Did not really help matters, even after another cortisone shot, and a series of hyaluronic acid injections. Caved, and had knee replacement surgery September of 2018 at age 69. Quite a bit of pain, as is to be expected from a major surgery. Ditched walker within 4 days of surgery, and was walking short distances on neighborhood streets within a week. Rehab is a bitch, but having been in good shape generally, and being able to join a facility with a heated indoor pool helped matters a lot. However, I did not know about PRP or stem cell treatment before my 1st surgery, or the replacement decision, otherwise I might have tried those first.

@rorygrabowsky, My reason for not having any more injections was that they would not have helped me. I had bone on bone pain before the replacement and was told an injection would no longer help. I had one about six months prior to the knee replacement and it helped for about a week and then I did some more damage to it by working on my knees on concrete and the pain was back like it was prior to the cortisone shot. That's when I decided I needed to do the knee replacement. I think you have to wait for 3 months after a cortisone injection before you can have a knee replacement.

When I met with the surgeon he gave me some pre-surgery exercises to do while waiting for the replacement surgery which was scheduled a month later. I actually think the exercises are good for all of us elderly types to maintain mobility and flexibility. Here's some cheat sheets that explain the different exercises.

Before surgery knee exercises: https://www.allinahealth.org/health-conditions-and-treatments/health-library/patient-education/total-knee-replacement/preparing-for-surgery/before-surgery-knee-exercises
Post Op knee exercises: https://www.allinahealth.org/health-conditions-and-treatments/health-library/patient-education/total-knee-replacement/after-surgery/knee-exercises

I also have an exercise bike at home which helped a lot during the home rehab. I had my TKR on the 1st of April, 2019 and the weather was not great in Minnesota so it put a crimp in outdoor walking for the most part although I was able to get out and walk in my driveway using a walker the first and second week after my surgery. I then used a cane for about a month until I was able to walk OK without it. I think I felt I was almost back to normal about 2 months after my TKR. I still take stairs gingerly but I think that's more due to my degenerative arthritis and my age (not wanting to fall or trip!).

The goal of the surgeon and care team is to get you out of the hospital the day after your surgery so the the physical therapist at the hospital gets you up the morning after the surgery and starts you on the post op exercises and makes sure you can walk OK and shows you how to go up and down a small staircase they use for post op. The most important lesson I learned from my post op rehab was icing and elevating the leg. This helps control the swelling and reduces the pain. I wasn't having much trouble with the pain but the swelling was there and my follow up with the surgeon about a month after the surgery, well lets just say he gave me the what for because I was not elevating and icing the knee enough. So anytime I wasn't exercising or doing something, I iced and elevated my leg. I did it when I was watching TV, reading, working on the computer or just napping on the sofa.

Questions you might want to ask your surgeon or care team before the surgery...
- 8 Questions to Ask Before Knee Surgery: https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/8-questions-ask-knee-surgery
My personal thoughts for questions...
- What type of hardware do you recommend/use for the knee replacement?
- Will I get an allergy test for the bone cement, metals, etc. used in the replacement components?
- Can you explain the risks - possible nerve damage, etc.. ?

Other members may be able to provide other questions, but I would make a list and take it with you when you talk to the surgeon.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

@rorygrabowsky I realize this was directed to John, but I have had two TKRs.

I had injections, first cortisone then when that no longer helped, Synvisc. When that stopped helping much it was time for a TKR.
There was pain after surgery of course, but for me, it subsided fairly quickly, except when I tried to sleep at night. These days they are very strict about prescribing opioids but the first time I had a replacement I was able to get them for about 6 weeks, enough to take one at nighttime. They are saying that ibuprofen is as effective as opioids for pain but I can't take them, I can only take acetaminophen which frankly does not help a lot.

I don't think I stayed on top of rehab as well as I should have. I never quite achieved the flex that is generally strived for. I was able to walk without assistance fairly quickly. I never used crutches, they are difficult for me, so I went directly from a walker to walking independently in a couple of weeks or less.

When you are on Medicare you are eligible for a physical therapist to come to your home as long as you are "homebound". The PT I had was great. I wish I could have kept him longer but I really wanted to get out of the house to do things and when you having the in-house you are only supposed to be able to go out for doctor appointments and to church.

Good luck with your decision. Please let us know how it's going and if you decide on surgery how well that goes.
JK