Total Knee Replacement: Nervous about the surgery

Well I have already 2 shoulder replacements, exercise special afterwards Means everything.

I am now eight weeks post total knee replacement. The doctor warned me, and he was correct, that the first two weeks were particularly difficult. However, after that, I found the recovery not so bad. At 2 1/2 weeks I was walking with a hiking stick outside. By three weeks I gave up any walking device and toured my neighborhood on a daily basis. At my six week check up the doctor told me he did not need to see me for another year! I did do physical therapy after the first two weeks. I am 76 and consider myself fairly active. Prior to the surgery I was bone on bone and could not go down steps in a normal pattern. I had to go one step at a time and bring my leg back up the same way. I am now able to do steps. I am not sure that I will be able to return to yoga, but we will see. Good luck and remember your journey and recovery are yours alone. Know you will get through it - but don’t necessarily measure yourself by other peoples’ expectations or experiences.

Thank you so much. My situation sounds very much like the description of your pre surgery condition. I hope to do as well as you have done. I have a lot more to do in this life. I am sure you do too!

Thank you that was very informative I appreciate it very much!!!

I live in Bay Saint Louis,Mississippi and they are telling me I have to Go to Jacksonville,Fla. to have my surgery.

Being nervous is very understandable, particularly to have this done at a very early age. I had my first TKR at the age of48. It was the best thing ever! Having had 5 repair surgeries on that knee previously the knee was a mess and the chronic pain was unbearable. So, almost anything would have been better than where I was. The TKR turned out to be the best thing ever for me. Got to work immediately with rehab (following doctor's instructions). I was functioning well in 2-3 months and fully recovered in a year. Still had the implant discomfort from time-to-time but that has long gone away. I had my other knee replaced (2018), as well as one of my hips (2023) just recently. The hip has been by far the most challenging.

The TKR should be just fine. Just think of it as a process. There will be challenging days but the end goal is to significantly improve your mobility and reduce your pain. You are way to young to be sidelined. Good luck!

Be sure you discuss going forward maintenance of the knee replacement since you have a lot of time to wear it down. Not a problem but you should have a plan with the doctor.

Thanks rainer. What did you do after your TSRs to speed recovery? I've been told that a TSR is very different from a TKR in that PT doesn't start right away. When did you start PT post op and what did you do to make the procedures a success.

When it comes to joint replacements, well any surgery really, the patient has a lot of responsibility in a successful recovery. I've had four scopes on my knees and last year had em both replaced. I stayed active in rehab and it mattered, a lot.

All the best.

Wow. I don't know how far that is but it's a bummer. If you're getting a TKR, I'd find a way to stay put in Jax for a few weeks post op. If that's possible, it allows you to remove distractions and focus on the critical weeks right after surgery.

All the best to you friend!

After my shoulder replacements I started PT the next day, starting with swings up to working with elastic bands….for roughly 2 months, very quick on doing my daily stuff again, icing, icing and icing, pain medicine first every 4 hours, then 6 , then off..later only if needful.
If I couldn’t do the exercises, my therapist massaged my shoulder with vitamin E oil, and I continued again with exercises.
Now with my upcoming TKR I have to do exercises in front already, get prepared for it…

Just be ahead of the pain and do your exercises at home. The first week is a little difficult but in time you’ll be happy you did it