I’m scheduled for knee replacement but read so many negatives ?

@missy4242 at my first appt with the orthopedic surgeon after surgery was agreed upon at Mayo I was given a thick folder with information including the exercises. If you decide on the surgery get an ice /cold therapy machine which stays colder longer and the convenience encourages me to ice more often.

@momma2lucy
A good ice machine is an essential part of the early recovery process. Ice packs don't stay as cold and don't provide periodic compression.

The Rolls Royce of ice machines is the NICE machine. If you can find a rental and it is affordable, that is the one to get. My surgeon provided me with a two week rental of the NICE machine four years ago when he replaced my left hip. Seven months ago he provided me with a two week rental of the Game Ready machine for my right total knee replacement. It worked equally well but was less convenient as it did need ice and the NICE machine did not.

This might be a silly question, but have you tried PT first? I’ve had knee issues and got some amazing results by religiously doing the exercises. Strengthening the muscles around the joint will do a lot.
I had excruciating knee pain back in 2013, large tear in the meniscus, plus potholes in the cartilage, and unstable joint. I didn’t want surgery as I’d already lost the other meniscus.
Dr dubiously said we’d try PT for 30 days. I went at it faithfully, and at the end of the month he was amazed at my function and lack of pain. He said he really had had doubts that it would work. I was able to take a long section hike on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire, wearing a knee brace but without issue.
Reading this joint replacement forum and talking to other people, I seem to notice that no matter which joint it is, it’s the more active or athletic people who are most likely to regret the surgery. Don’t know why, except that we are the ones who demand the most from our bodies and are most likely to notice issues.
Best of luck, please just give it a lot of thought.

Very unfortunate to place your faith in the practitioner's. Trust your original parts until the pain is absolutely too excruciating and you have exhausted all the alternatives, of which there are very many now. There is no going back once you have this procedure. I really hate being a doomsday guy because I am optimistic by nature but the outcome is not predictable and if I can discourage just one person from this elective surgery I will feel that I have helped humanity in some small way….

@momma2lucy
Thank you!
I don't want surgery but I need surgery. My pain is intense everyday. So it's time. But I know I have to do my hips first before my knees. Did you find your ice machine on amazon?

@kudzu ,
No, because I have been doing my exercises at home but now my pain is so much worse, that I do have orders for physical therapy so I am going to start next week for sure. But my right knee has shifted and has caused me to be knock kneed because of that. I do have phone and Bone and no cartilage. I also have a huge meniscal tear bilaterally the one on the right which shifted has what they call a bucket handle. But I will definitely be hopeful in regarding physical therapy if I can do it. Because currently I can't even do my exercises Faithfully Monday through Friday due to the pain. I am not normally active. I wasn't as a child even. I have a hole in my heart and I think that was probably my body telling me not to run so much or do so many physical things as a child. I did not need surgery for it but it certainly still affects sometimes when I am short of breath.

@steveinarizona
I will definitely be on the hunt for it now. I'm not going to worry about the cost. I want the best and the most convenience. Thank you so, so much for the info.

@missy4242 yes I ended up with the $159 cold therapy machine from Amazon. I tried ordering the Polar Ice machine off Amazon but there were a hundred and one delivery issues with it so I just cancelled the order; I am not the first buyer to note delivery issues with it from Amazon. I debated up until I was being wheeled to the OR whether I was rushing this surgery and was my pain really that bad and so what if I fell a couple times when my knees locked was it really that big a deal? I am glad I had it done while I am still in good health minus my weight and can get out and enjoy life without fear of falling again. I am hoping the weight comes off as I leave my couch potato days behind me.

@momma2lucy
Me too! My husband is VERY active. And,we cruise ( alot- like 5 in the last 14 mos). I am unable to do much. Due to the looong boardingcwalk, I currently have them help via w/ c. And, when I need to get from stem to stern...I use a cane. Out and about, I use nordic walking poles.

@missy4242 for longer walks do you find the walking poles better than a cane?