Total Knee Replacement | What the Doctors DON'T tell YOU

My mom just went through her second knee replacement and really wanted to create this to let people know what to actually expect when going in for one. Thank you for watching.

[laurabuckmaster]

I had my first knee done at 63 and my second one done 6 months later. I did not have the same experience as this person. I was able to leave the hospital the same day, but I opted to stay in the hospital for one night because I lived 2 hours away from the hospital. I was on Oxy and Tylenol for 2 weeks. I kept ice on it constantly. I never had problems sleeping. I think it depends on the person who has the surgery, and possibly the surgeon. I think every person is different.

[laruefrancesconi]

Dawn…. This video almost brought me to tears! Everything you’ve said is completely true… I lived in my recliner, couldn’t sleep, and they gave me a hard time asking for more Percocet!!! I’m 8-9 weeks post knee replacement on December 21, 2023. I’m still experiencing pain… I’m faithful with my exercises, I go to PT twice a week. I’m a 60 year old NICU nurse, and finally decided to get my surgery done after years of chronic knee pain. Of course, I work 12 hours shifts, and have been nursing for 39 years.
You hit every nail on the head! I felt like my PT was only concerned about my ROM to be at 115*. I’m still in pain, I get to about 109*, still very stiff. The depression is real… I’m worried I won’t be back to work on my 3 month deadline. I’m usually so energetic, positive, with lots of energy…. But this recovery has brought me to tears on many occasions. It’s so hard to stay positive and think one day will I really be pain free?! Thank you for keeping it real… and that’s coming from someone who’s been in the medical field for almost 40 years!💕

[susanpaulson]

I’m 70 and had total knee replacement surgery on my right knee in March 2023 and on my left knee August 2023. Each replacement is different, for each person, for each knee. My knees were very bad, end stage arthritis, bone on bone. I should have had surgery several years before I finally did. My first surgery was traumatic for me. I also had no idea the degree of pain I would experience. Bone pain is like no other pain. I made it to 5 months post op and had to do my left knee because I couldn’t walk and I was in so much pain. The bones in my knee were actually grinding. I thought surely my 2nd surgery would be easier because so many people told me one of their knee replacements was such much easier and I thought my first was horrible! Well, I was in for a shocker. I had Makoplasty, robotic knee replacements. Usually the incision is 4-5 inches. My incision on my right knee was 10 inches long and I had 35 staples. My left knee incision (2nd surgery) was 12 inches long and I had 48 staples. My incisions were much longer than “standard” because of the damage to my knees. I had severe osteoarthritis m, bone on bone. The bones just grind into each other. The left knee was in horrible shape according to my surgeon and the surgery took longer to perform. The work to the knee was extensive so I had a greater chance of having some nerve damage along with a lot of trauma to the tendons and ligaments. I’m 4 months post op from that left knee surgery. I still had a lot of pain in my left knee although I’m not on any pain medication other than Tylenol. It’s healing and slowly getting better but it’s taking much longer. I was further along in recovery on my other knee. Your knees hurt and get very stiff if you sit too long or lie down too long. I still have swelling in both knees. What the lady said is all true. My knee replacement surgeries have been a nightmare but I had no choice to have the surgery because of my pain and I could no longer walk. Some people have a much easier time…maybe it’s because they didn’t wait until they had so much damage to their knees. It has nothing to do with age, that I know for sure. It a very hard surgery, it’s very painful and it wreaks havoc on you not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. That being said. I survived it, not once but twice. I did it because I want to walk and I want my life back. Just know what you are in for. Expect it to be very hard and if it’s easier than that…YAY! It could be easier for you, that is possible just prepare. Make sure your doctor will prescribe narcotics for you and plenty because you will need them. You should stay ahead of your pain. For the first 2-3 weeks I took my Percocet as prescribed…every 4-6 hours. It was mostly every 4 hours when I first got home and then I went to every 6 hours. Ice also helps, you need it for swelling and it will help some with the pain. It is extremely important to research, ask questions about what you will need at home after surgery. Ask people who have had the surgery. Ask several because some may have needed things the others didn’t. I needed things after my 2nd surgery that I didn’t need after the first one.
Prepare and know that it is a very slow recovery. It take about a year and still longer. I ache for the time to come when I never think about it or feel it, that I’m never aware that it isn’t my knee. To me the biggest hurdle is the first one, the surgery. The first 2 weeks were the worst for me. I cried every single day. By the 3rd week I knew I would survive it and I kind of turned a corner. I still cry sometimes because the whole ordeal is so long, the pain, the recovery…it just wears you out. I’m 70 though. I’m still here, I did it, 2times. I did it and went back and did it again all in less than 6 months time. If I can do it anyone can. Just prepare and don’t expect it to be easy.

[annacastillo]

Had my right knee replaced in 2020. BRUTAL experience!!!
I screamed in pain especially at night. Finally 6 months later one day I woke up & have felt no pain at all. Now my left knee is in pain & I’m so scared because I need another knee replacement.
The 1st one I cried, screamed at the top of my lungs especially at night & I prayed to god during the day just to let me sleep at night with no pain. My doctor’s nurse I overheard telling someone I was a druggie because I asked for more pain meds. They started to tell me to take Tylenol & that’s how you are suppose to feel after a knee replacement. The experience was something I never want to go thru again.
Everything you say in this video is so so true. I know I went thru the exact same thing. Hope you are now feeling better. God bless you. Doctors don’t tell you the truth you experience it your self. Let me say again

[kimhallam]

I am 3 months into total knee replacement. I am only just starting to feel able to go back to work.
This lady explains exactly what I have gone through.... thank you.
So Many people say "Oh why are you not better by now?"
Everyone's recovery is different. My specialist told me that those people who recover "in a month" are rare, and that I am in the "normal" category. I believe him, he is a wonderful man and surgeon.

[kathleenwaters]

At last! Someone who isn’t sugarcoating TKR. My mother spent 20 years in agonizing pain rather than go through TKR. I figured I would take six weeks of agonizing pain rather than 20 years. When Mama finally tried to get her knee replaced, she was too old. I had one knee replaced at 74 and I’m so grateful I didn’t wait because later I became incontinent. Since I live alone I don’t think I could have managed. I had a tough but successful recovery including sleeping reasonably well because I bought a used electric hospital bed, a baby’s crib comforter and a dog leash. I wrapped my surgical leg in the comforter to sleep. This reduced my state of concern/Adrenalin that my leg might fall off the bed or get bumped. I used the dog leash to move my leg without bending my knee to go to the bathroom or kitchen. I used CBD muscle rub on twitching skin around my stitches. These twitches pulled on my poor torn muscles and burned like mad. I walked up and down the halls doing my exercises every five hours even through the night to maintain my range of motion. The experience was like childbirth only much longer but each day less painful than the day before. Good luck to all of you-I have no regrets and a good result but did find the doctors and nurses uninformative and even a bit rude

[margaretshope]

I'm 62 and just had my second knee replacement. With respect to this video, I did my own research and knew what to expect. I had little to no pain after surgery. I stayed ahead of the pain with Tylenol and Tramadol taken every 4 hours religiously post surgery. I wore compression stocking on both legs, both times. I started moving my knee and ankles as soon as I was out of surgery. I walked ASAP. Sitting still is a bad idea. I had PT the day after surgery, and most importantly, I kept a positive attitude. The only slight pain I had was a sunburn feeling on my right thigh with my first knee replacement. I didn't realize they had to pull my skin back pretty far. Some ice took that pain away. The knee pain I suffered was WAY worse than any discomfort I felt after both my surgeries. I had a great orthopedist and a helpful support team. I needed almost no help at home because I prepared before surgery. I wanted to make the BEST out of these surgeries because my quality of life was so poor with damaged knees. I'm excited about being active ON MY LEGS again. I pray that whoever thinks about having this surgery goes into it with some research and a positive attitude about a great outcome! So sorry about the bad experiences out there.

[robertpickell]

GOOD VIDEO.... IN 1996 I HAD BOTH KNEES REPLACED AT THE SAME TIMEE AND THEY HAD ME WALKING THE NEXT MORNING. THAT WAS 28 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS 62 YEARS OLD. MY REHAB WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF A URINARY INFECTION AND I RAN A TEMPERATURE OF 107.6 AND I LOST 47 POUNDS IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. BUT OBVIOUSLY I SURVIVED. MY REHAB WAS DELAYED FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. THANK GOD MY REHAB WENT WELL AND AFTER 28 YEARS MY KNEES ARE STILL GOING STRONG. I AM NOW 90 YEARS OLD. I AM SO GLAD THAT I HAD THEM DONE.

[Asha_Claymore]

Im 42 and just had TKR on my left knee and I am 11 days out. I needed this surgery so bad due to progressive osteoarthritis and a vlagus deformity and and bone on bone. Everything you are saying is on point. I hope others see this video. Its been a hard recovery. There is no way I will be golfing in 3 weeks. You aint never lie lol. Thank you for sharing.

[rosemartin]

Great video. My husband had a total knee replacement 3 weeks ago and is doing well. Little to no pain. Ice is his best friend. Therapy and exercise is where I come in. I am his coach, wife, and best friend. I help him reach his goals every week. It's not easy. Think positive and always know your family supports you. Thank you for letting me know what doctors won't tell you. I am better prepared now. Thank you!!!

[jwedgest]

Wow!!! You just blew my mind, EVERYTHING you said I'm actually going through. I can honestly agree 100% with the sleep thing. It's next to impossible to get a good night sleep.

[patjohnson]

She's telling it like it is. I'm 5 weeks post op and I had no idea how bad this surgery really is. Thank you.

[deeelo]

Thank you for sharing. Bless you and I pray u make a complete recovery. I’m 70. I love to dance and if I can dance again in 2 yrs, because I do need both knees done, it will be so worth it. I want a better quality of life. I’m tired of 1 legging it up and down steps, which is throwing my back out of line. I will be thinking of u thru my tears and imagining you rooting for me and saying, “Dee, never give up!! U can do this. God is w u! Hang in there!” I will be praying for u too🙏🏽💐🦋😘 Thank you once again

[LESHAUNWILL]

I just had mine done and this video made me cry because I’m experiencing everything she said. ❤

[nancyreeves]

I had my first tkr Jan 28, 2025. I went thru exactly what you did. No one understood me. No one. Lose to me had had it done. Surgeon didn't tell me what the reality was until after the surgery. At my 6 wk, and I was still in horrible pain, he then told me. Thank you for your honesty. Wish I had seen videos like this before so I knew what the real possibilities were.

[jimpowell]

I had a TKR done 8 years ago. I was 70 years old. The initial pain pretty bad, I was told it would be. I was also told to rehab thru the pain and always take pain meds 1 hour before doing your rehab exercises. I followed my doctors orders to the letter. Within one month my pain was 75% gone. By the 6th week I payed 18 holes of golf, granted I rode in a cart but I was able to swing the club and walk on my knee. By the 2nd month after surgery I was good to go. Best thing I ever did. I won’t sugar coat this, you must do your exercises so scar tissue does not build up. If you don’t work through the pain then you will be in trouble. I have friends who have done as I did. I know some women who have done very well with a TKR, and others that have not and continue to be hobbled to this day. I feel for you folks.

[loghog]

My surgeon told me he was going to cut my leg in half and then asked me what I thought I might expect... Well that pretty much prepared me mentally. Then my physical therapist informed me that I needed to take the attitude of "Pain is my best friend". He reinforced what the surgeon said. And then it was drilled into my head from YouTube that I had a one year plus recovery ahead of me. Again, adding to what I had already heard.
But this is what I focused on- the pain in my knees pre-replacement kept me awake at night already. Work (I'm a logger) was pure torture. I pretty much couldn't do most of my recreational activities. Depression caused by my not being ready to "give up" on life was eating up my very essence... so no matter how hard TKR was going to be, it still gave me HOPE that I could have a better life!
Left TKR on 10/24/23 and right TKR on 1/9/24. BRING IT ON! No sad music for me! By God's grace I will make this happen. And if my replacements fail me? Well I had two worthless knees before anyway! And just so you know, I skied for an hour on Christmas day just two months post op (yes, it was hard) and I'm now doing something for my recovery almost always. Still don't get a good nights sleep but naps are a blast! Laying on the floor doing PT for hours every day has given me a whole new relationship with my dogs. LOL And I've decided to look on the bright side- Sure, lots of pain still, but not in my knee joints! Attitude is everything!

[vinstyles]

I've just had both my knees done here in Dublin, Ireland. I am into week 4 since the operation. No sleep for many nights. I am walking now without crutches and can drive my car. I hated the pain and when the pain wasn't there, I was so worried that the pain would come back. Generally I am doing very well and so far I have no regrets. I had a great Consultant and he was so open and honest with me. Even on the day of the operation as I was wheeled into the theatre, he asked me if I was sure I wanted to go ahead with both knees as this was a serious and major operation. I said I did and he said good, let's do it. I absolutely hated the epidural. They couldn't find the right spot and continued prodding me for several minutes. Anyhow, I am going out for a walk right now around my local area. I am very optimistic that all will be well. Optimism is key. Great vid.

[andreapeck]

I am 78, had my right knee total replacement July 26th, my left September 13th. Both knees a mess from osteoarthritis. My surgeon stressed how painful the healing process would be, so mentally I was prepared for it . . . although I don't know that anyone can be really 100% prepared for that excruciating pain! But he was totally forthright about it, so I wasn't completely surprised. I had an excellent surgical team that was there for me, both before and after surgery. Today, I walk up and down stairs and walk up to two miles a day. The honest truth is this: even knowing the pain that I experienced (twice within a couple of months) . . . with all that excruciating pain, I'm so glad I had the surgeries. It was worth it. I've been asked a few times "if you knew then what you know now, would you do it again?" and my answer is "YES!" I am so grateful for my surgeon, his team, the hospital care, the after-care, and I give thanks every day for my new knees.

[marifarmer]

I am 60 and have both my knees replaced. The first one healing was slowish. The 2nd one was an amazing recovery. Came home the same day I had surgery and pt started the next day. I am so glad I did it. It's been 3 years since my 2nd replacement and I am hiking and working out. I walk 3 miles a day everyday. I was back at work 13 days after my 2nd knee replacement. Best decision I ever made. It's too bad this woman had such a bad experience.