5 Things To Know Before Knee Replacement Surgery: From A Physical Therapist

Thinking about getting knee replacement surgery? Or about to get one and wondering how best you can prepare?

Learn the 5 things you MUST know before knee replacement surgery, from physical therapist Shehla Rooney, PT, GCS.

[kevinpowers]

My TKR is in January 2025. Five months from now. I've just bough a stationary bike so I can start my prehab. I've also bought a big wedge pillow, massage gun and a massage roller. Will be getting an ice machine soon. I will talk to my Dr about some visits to PT. I'm 62 with a long history of sports related injuries. Recently tried the cortisone injection and it helped for about 3 weeks. Tried the HA (Synvisc One) and it didn't help at all. In fact, my knee blew up afterwards and they drained 40CC of fluid from it. My pain is tolerable as long as the swelling doesn't return. My Dr will be using the robot (Mako) for my TKR. I have watched many of the surgeries on YT because I like to research and I've know for a long time that this was in my future. I'm in pretty good shape and was playing a lot of disc golf up until 3 months ago. I'm 6'2" and 205lbs. I'd like to get down to 200 before surgery. I liked your video. What has your experience been working with patients who have had traditional TKR as opposed to the robot assisted TKR? Compared to people my age, height and weight. I still have good ROM. I can't squat down, but while standing, I can grab my foot and pull my heel to my butt. I does hurt a little, but I can do it.

[lindag]

Thanks! I might have to have one knee replaced at some point, but I'm trying to discover every non-surgical option first.
I have had both shoulders replaced, and I realize the recovery time. Thankfully my surgeon gave me a good exercise to do prior to the second shoulder replacement, and it helped.
I try to warn other potential shoulder replacement patients that recovery takes time and that they need to follow all directions from the surgeon, hospital, and PT.

[lalitasp]

This I must say is one of the best videos I have watched. Thank you so much for your practical advice and down-to-earth explanation. Keep it up! So many people need to hear all this.

[KK-joyb]

My knee arthritis was bad, in both my knees. My left leg was bowed terribly. I had bi - lateral knee replacement on February 6. It will be 6 weeks this coming Tuesday that I’m post surgery and I’m doing well but I definitely have a way to go yet. I am walking now with no devices but it’s going to be a few weeks before I think I’m ready to return to the activity I was use to. My knees before this were just shot. It was painful to walk in sort of distance. I did do the prehab she spoke of, the amount of trauma to your legs is just unreal. Mine were black and blue all over. The first 10 days were miserable, the pain is severe. Im not having much now in my knees but in the mornings they’re stiff. This obviously will take some time.

[debbiedebella]

You are the best speaker I’ve heard on knee replacement surgery. Thank you for telling me these things. I am going to exhaust all my options before I get that surgery. Excellent advice. Thank you so much. Unfortunately it’s too late because I did watch the knee replacement surgery and it scared the beep out of me.

[aphill]

Thank you for telling it like it is! The good the bad, and the ugly, I've done a lot of research on TKR and your advice by far has been the best, my dr. Never explored any options to me, im 70 and fearful of the aftermath of knee surgery.😢

[artsisland]

3 Weeks post surgery. This information is SPOT ON!!!

[marie]

Amazing! Everyone considering TKR needs to watch this!!

[p_ports]

I dislocated my right knee a month ago. The ligaments are still so very painful I’m having ruse a cane. My doctor wants to do a knee replacement in the next month or so. I’ve had OA for the past 50 yrs in both knees. I’m a 76 yrs old. I was always very athletic and active until 6 yrs ago when I developed OA in my spine. I’m a little apprehensive about the surgery because of the ligaments.

[vib.]

Thank you for this realistic presentation and valuable information. The best that I've seen!

[franklake]

Excellent post, I am 5 months post op, I am 70 and was fairly active. Cron

[elizabethsantandergreene]

Excellent! I only wish I had explored other options before my TKR. I'm 2 weeks post-op. I'll have to have a talk with my new knee.

[carolyncook]

Wow. Best advice on knee replacement. I have osteo in both knees, have had stiffness and crunching for 20 years. Can’t remember the last time I’ve gone up and down stairs in the normal way or been able to squat or get up and down from ground. My right knee is becoming knock knee because it’s collapsing on me. Thing is….I am not in pain. I go through my daily activities, shopping, gardening etc. just doing it slower these days. I have no pain at night. I’m really debating this knee replacement thing now that I’m turning 80. I’m in physical therapy to strengthen muscles and stretch, and I’m getting the gel injections twice a year which helps the inflammation but does nothing for the knock knee. I may be able to avoid TKR if I keep doing these things since I’m so old. I just don’t know if the severe pain and long recovery time is worth getting new knees.

[pitchkapizda]

Geez I need TKR have severe arthritis in my right knee no cartilage been bone on for for a very long been trying everything to avoid TKR but crunch time is not far now and every time I see one of these videos it just makes the decision harder and harder

[vegetony]

What about iovera shots a week before surgery to help post-operative pain?

[vindisheryl]

My mom is 74.she is around 70-80 kg. Having little HBP & Sugar.
She is walking very painfully. Her leg is curved . So we gonna do this surgery.. Now I'm bit afraid. Dr.Can you please tell me what we should do now.

[gibbeys]

Thanks for your video, it’s very informative.
I’m preparing for knee replacement surgery in January. Dealt with a degenerative knee for the past decade and started with the least invasive treatments to get this under control. I feel like I’m out of options at this point.
Trying to drop 10 more pounds and working to Pre-hab via a digital app ( hinge health) to work on flexibility and strengthening.
Can’t say I’m not a nervous going in……

[virginiabaer]

Unfortunately, most orthopedic surgeons in our city do not recommend pre rehab exercises before surgery!!! Only one grouping does. In fact I argued with several surgeons I have interviewed concerning knee replacement surgery. They had the nerve to tell me that they saw no benefit in an exercise program before surgery. I had my right hip replaced a few years ago and that grouping had me do specific exercises at home for two months before surgery. A hospital physiotherapist taught me the exercises and gave a notebook with all the exercises. I was ahead by over 3 weeks after my hip surgery because I had done specific pre surgery exercises. Unfortunately, that group doesn’t have a knee specialist that I trust. I’m really very fearful to go into knee replacement at 73 without knowing specific exercises to prepare ahead of time and strengthening. I’m not overweight, I climb stairs all the time, I feel better moving, but when I lie down to sleep my knee throbs and disturbs my sleep all night long. I’m bone on bone. I’m so frustrated and don’t know what to do.

[lindahughes]

I had a TKR 6 weeks ago. My Dr. and therapist were not happy with my range of motion. I had sooo much swelling from the beginning😢 the PT wasn't as successful. I had a manipulation under anesthesia yesterday and my knee is so sore. I have PT for 10 days straight. Your right it is a commitment. I was bone on bone for a long time, and the shots were not helping. I hope this was the right move. It stiffens up right after excersize or sleep. I have an ice machine to keep my knee from swelling again. Praying this works.

[virginiabaer]

I’m back. I tried different shots, none helped at all. I can not use a cane at all because I’ve had both thumbs operated on, took tendons out of wrist forearm to put into thumb joint due to severe arthritis in 2005 and 2006. My thumbs now aren’t good, my surgeon said it would only help for so many years. I use my hands. So when I’ve needed something, I’ve had to use one crutch. I would gladly go to physical therapy but these orthopedic groups don’t prescribe because “they think it doesn’t make the surgery any better”!!?? Seriously, I know they are wrong. I’m not in my 60’s anymore and age isn’t on my side. Fortunately, no diabetes, not overweight, no other real health issues but severe arthritis in many joints of my body. Help? If you can advise. Thank you for a very informative and excellent video.