Good evening @montecresto. A warm welcome to Connect is on its way to you. I think you are in the right place if you are in the Joint Replacements group. Does this mean you are actually scheduling your first TKR? What symptoms have you been experiencing? Have you had imaging done and the results explained to you?

I just had my second TKR last year. I am doing very well with no discomfort or swelling or buckling. In fact, I don't even recognize that I have had TKR #2. This might help you a bit. My first TKR was traditional and 10 years ago. The surgeon was excellent. The recovery was great and the pain and discomfort dissipated as expected. I was a trekker then and headed off to Europe for a week on the Ring of Kerry in Ireland within a year.

And then the other knee began to be bothersome to the point where I had to give up being a trekker. I could do 2-3 miles a day along with some Yoga stretches.....but no 10 hours of one foot in front of the other up and down the terrain.

I began to investigate the Mako Robotic system. You can easily view the actual surgery on YouTube. I also changed from metal to plastic. The robotic system makes the surgery more authentic. With a 3-D model and lots of images, the surgeon can map out the path for the surgery. Then as the procedure progresses, he/she can check to make sure that he is "staying in the lines" as they say when you get your first coloring book.

Then I chose an orthopedic sports clinic with required physical therapy that begins the day after surgery. Amazingly effective! We coupled the PT with MFR, myofascial release therapy, to handle the swelling and pain. I responded well to both types of treatment and was soon driving, walking, and even going up and down stairs.

I chose a surgeon by reviewing 10 or 11 for their philosophy of patient care as well as the number of successful robotic surgeries they had done. I was satisfied and happy with my entire team. The surgery was "same day" and I came home about 2 pm. (You do have to have a committed caregiver for 3 days.)

Will this get you started? You can read more about my experience by searching at the top of the page for "TKR #2, I am still learning."

When are you planning your surgery? Is this your first TKR?
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.

Chris

Hi @montecresto, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @artscaping and other members. A piece of the puzzle that sometimes gets forgotten is the exercises prior to having the knee replacement. These along with the post surgery rehab exercises will make your recovery go much smoother.

i had my left knee (Total Knee Replacement) performed yesterday. So far I am totally happy! My husband is a Dr also but not ortho. We did medical research and decided the MAKO was the only way to go. You can google and you will find many articles. You need a CT ahead of time and the robotic software & Dr calculate size, placement, etc. There is less soft tissue damage using the robot. There are studies you can find online w the same surgeon performing a TKR on cadavers using the robot and not using the robot. I am on Day 2 and yesterday (day of surgery) I only took 3 narcotic pills; today I have taken only Tylenol. I am very pleased so far. PT today I had 95 degrees of motion. I am walking well, using walker, but really feel I don't need it. If you are in the Tampa area I can recommend my surgeon. He also teaches other ortho doctors on the use of the MAKO robot. Best of luck but so far...on day 2..this is much better than I anticipated.