Life at Home After Total Knee Replacement: Essential Recovery Guide

I'm a little over 4 weeks post total RT knee replacement. I count myself blessed to have all the help I need & awesome physical therapists. I must honestly say this is the hardest surgery I've ever had. It has tested me in every way possible. Despite saying this, I am grateful to have had it done. I am hopeful to get back to my normal way of life minus all the pain I used to endure. I can't stress enough how important it is for you to do all the prescribed exercises at home multiple times a day each & every day. There are no vacation days when it comes to recovery of knee replacement. Also, go to your outpatient PT appointments & totally give each & every appointment everything you've got. YOU are the captain of your own ship when it comes to recovery.

“You will be in Some form of discomfort”. Boy that’s an understatement

I am 56 years old, and I am literally writing this in recovery at the hospital. Just had my left knee replaced. Pain and physical therapy is my concern going forward. Will keep you posted. I will be going home in about two hours and a second floor bedroom to tackle here soon. Love your videos....

I think you should talk more about the bathroom! Prepare your toilet seat to be comfortable when your knee is painful. If you don't have a taller toilet you need some sort of replacement toilet seat-- trust me, you WILL. If you don't have a walk-in shower, can you get over the tub wall? Will you need a shower chair? Have that stuff ready for when you get home. Not after!

With me it was almost 3 months of pain to varying degrees. The most irritating thing that I had to accept was that the pain NEVER totally went away for almost three months. Never all gone. finally, of course, and I was amazed one afternoon nap I suddenly realized there was none! I was afraid to move the sensation was so glorious. Of course it was temporary but let me know that it was eventually going to be that was all the time. The exercises and PT were tough but necessary, so I did them. Still can't kneel comfortably so no convent in my future!

I’ve had both knees replaced (3 and 4 years ago). My surgeon did an excellent job! I did the exercises as recommended by my physiotherapist. I bought a massage table which made the doing the exercises much easier. Pain management was challenging because opiates make me extremely nauseated so I couldn’t take them. I managed ok with Celebrex, Tylenol, Gabapentin and ice packs. The first 6 weeks were tough, especially trying to sleep. The exercises are hard work and take a lot of time and effort. But it was worth it because I can enjoy life fully now. I cycle, golf, XC ski, snowshoe, hike and kayak. No limping, no pain! I’m very grateful 😊 For the most part, the people I know that have trouble with their replaced knees did not do their exercises as directed. They made excuses, and now they have limited mobility and discomfort. You have to do the work if you want good results!

I need both knees replaced but I’m having trouble quitting smoking, if y’all pray, pray for me! I just want my life back, I can’t do anything

SLEEP. No one told me that having a new knee was like having a new baby. I was up every 2 hours at night walking the floor. I would get up and walk laps around my kitchen island. It was like this for 3 months. This also passed. I just had my 1 year anniversary of my TKA. It was a great success. I feel i returned to work a bit too soon (4 mos.) I am an x-ray tech, so lots of walking on hospital floors. I wore a compression stocking at work. No regrets, full ROM very little stiffnness.

I've just had a total new knee last week. April 2024. Walking good. Stairs good.. but still need time to improve...🎉

Husband had it done 3 weeks ago and no pain. Pain meds worked great! Already has 110 degrees and been walking with no aids for a week. We had been prepared for so much worse. Very grateful

Hi Docs.. My Surgeon told me he did the easy part, the hard part is on us to push ourselves for great results!

I was surprised at how much pain i was in after knee surgery, but I eventually survived. I wish I'd seen this video before I had my surgery. Excellent information! I love watching your videos.

Had TKR surgery at end of March. So happy I did it. The initial pain was much better than the pain I had before the operation. Ice, Tylenol, walking and exercise/physio were the most important activities after surgery to alleviate pain and get back to an active lifestyle.

OK, I had a super surgeon, I had the "Jiffy" knee replacement (muscle and tendon sparing) and had a relatively fast recovery. (Got rid of the walker in a week, got rid of the cane in two weeks) Fast recovery, as I am using the term, is NOT the same thing as PAIN FREE. My pain (ice pick stabbing pain in the knee) was incredibly painful, particularly at night when my leg was in the "straight" position. I was not able to kick the pain pills to the road until 8 weeks post op. I am now 12 weeks post op, and today was my last physical therapy session. No more "ice pick" pain, but it was a rough ride, and at times I still have a sore/aching type of pain. Don't forget that terrible arthritic pain you had before surgery! You are trading your daytime pain for night time pain, which will eventually go away. The other day my wife and I walked a 2.5 mile uneven terrain trail. There's no way I could have done that with my old knee. Bottom line, you will have to bite a bullet for awhile, but the end result is totally worth it.

Both knees replaced 3 years ago other than occasional pain from inflammation everything else has been great. I was a heavy equipment mechanic and went back to work with no restrictions. Rehab and your attitude makes a big difference in my recovery.

Yes, around 4:15 or so where you note that you'd rather have someone on a walker than rush to get off. The Physical Therapist speaking in my pre-op class (mine was hip, but principle applies) said people rush to use a cane instead of a walker, develop a rocking motion in their gait, and six months later he'll see them in a store or someplace and while they don't have a cane, they still have the rocking motion. I totally agree with you - use the walker to regain your natural motion.

I had my right TKR in March 2023. I have a very cluttered split level. I rented a hotel room for the 1st week after surgery. My hospital had a physical therapist visit for an hour every day for 7 days. (Had I gone home the physical therapist would have visited there.) These 1st 7 days were critical in breaking the scaring that begins upon being sewn up, to start a range of motion. Additionally, my hotel has: a wheel chair (to get me from the car to my room), elevators, a handicapped readied suite with grab bars and walk-in shower, an ice machine down a very long hallway (motivated walking exercise many times a day) and free breakfast with a free evening reception. I began outpatient PT upon leaving the hotel, twice a week for 3 weeks. By the end of my PT I was driving and walking without a cane. (I had ditched the walker upon leaving the hotel.) I am presently scheduled for my left TKR end of Nov. 2023. I have requested the same room and therapists, because I do not want to mess with success. And most importantly I have a low slung sports car that requires 115 range of motion to get in, and to get out probably caused my need for TKR in the 1st place.

Did my first TKR 9 weeks ago. Second one coming up in a few days. In regard to pain the first week was kind of rough. At about day 10 I started to feel human again and could gradually wean off the pain meds. Therapy was a piece of cake as my rom came back really quickly. I’m at -1 and 138 degrees without pushing it. Hope second knee goes as well. Thanks docs for all of your insight.

Best thing I did was to get a stationary bicycle after my total knee replacement, thanks for the video, stay safe!!!

For all the good humour and joking around which I love, when you guys talk about your "bread and butter" you are the GOATS.