How to get on my knees? Are there exercises that help?

Welcome @artist439, I think you might be interested in reading this related discussion:
- Kneeling with artificial knee: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kneeling-with-artificial-knee/

@ellerbracke is an avid gardener. So, after her knee replacement being about to kneel was essential. She and other members like @ddsack @rebeccakay @sueinmn @contentandwell @lorrainecb may have exercises to help strengthen the knees. You're absolutely right that you want to have the ability to get up if you fall. So important!

Have you considered working with a physiotherapist to work on exercises to help your ability to get up from the floor?

I have just read about a program for seniors here in my city that will work on that very thing. Getting up without using your knees. Thnx!

@artist439: Hi! I’ve got good news and bad news. Good news first - I’m glad you found the senior program to help, but basically, if you happen to fall, whatever position, roll onto your back, then twist body so it rests sideways on your hip, then brace with both hands and your toes (sort of downward dog yoga position) and slowly push up. That should get you standing wthout having to stress your knees.
Regarding kneeling: yes, it is possible to do. I can. But not comfortable, and really painful if it’s the forward-leaning kneeling, as in reaching forward while on your knees. I have no natural padding, and haven’t found any knee pad yet that would work for me. For indoor chores I use a small pillow for the few instances when I can’t avoid kneeling, outdoors (yard work) it’s either kneeling on the good knee, TKR one bent (bad for my back), or, space permitting, just plop myself down into a sitting position to plant/weed/trim low lying things.
Not sure if any of this helps, and I wish you success with the getting-up technique(s).

Thank you for your advice!

I have both my knees replaced. It hurts to kneel. One is a little less painful. I need something to hold on to so I can push up to one knee then pull up! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6667980/#:~:text=Studies%20that%20have%20asked%20patients,and%20recommendations%20from%20health%20professionals.

I cannot get on my knees either after 1 year since TKR. I am in constant pain. I was sent to pain mgt. Today. His advice was to burn the nerves in my knee. First a trial injection to see if it would even help. Very confused. I'm pretty sure it's a failed tkr. I feel sick. My leg never straightened. Not good flexion. Just a mess I'd say. The MUA in June made me so much worse and never recovered from it. Any advice because this could make it worse or make pain less??? Thanks.

I have pain, also, very painful in my TKR knee. If I need to protect my knees or might have to be on one or both, I use heavy- duty knee pads that I use for skating. ( I haven't returned to skating outside but I am practicing as I lost literal muscle memory for skating and certain movements in dance I do. I have had to relearn them. I can tolerate being on my knees for a while, or one at a time. I also have a chair nearby and PT taught me how to get up during rehab.