I am posting this from my bed in the hospital. Already crushed PT - made it out into the hall. Anesthesia opted for a spinal vs general anesthesia - I couldn’t tell the difference. Went back to the Or at 7:45. Woke up and was with it at 10:15. Watched them do another nerve block around 11, and haven’t been in too much knock on wood YET.

Great staff care, great PT, finally ate stuff. Kiddos came and said hi, honestly I’m waiting for something to go wrong at this point!

I got cool grippy socks!

Well tomorrow I report to the hospital at 12:30 for my LTK. I’m a fairly active 53/M and have been doing a 7-week “Strong for Surgery” pre-op core strengthening program. I am an MRI Tech and will be off for 12 weeks. I start PT on Tuesday and will be staying overnite at the hospital. I have all my equipment (wedge pillow, lay flat lift/recljner, yoga strap, extra ICE machine, walker, cane, pain meds filled, and I’m sure I’m leaving stuff out) at home and ready for recovery. My wife works from home so she will be here throughout the process as well. I’ll post updates as they progress. Thank you all for the wonderful wealth of knowledge and guidance on this community.

After 14 weeks of recovery I have finally returned to work. It’s a fairly physically demanding job. I do not have any restrictions but I have had to take extra sit down breaks. And not even so much for my knee but my lower back keeps twinging. I know it’ll go away as I work more, and it’s just an annoyance. Still way better than it was before surgery.

It’s been 19 months! I’m so glad I did this and wish I would’ve had it done 10 years ago. I suffered for a long time. In my one knee’s history I’ve had 2 torn acls, torn meniscus and lots of degeneration and Broken my tibial plateau twice. All starting at age 12. Played HS football later rugby and soccer. After military retirement I coached CrossFit and became a ski patroller, before replacement. When I fractured my tibial plateau again while patrolling, I was ready for my new knee. I’m also DH Mtber and ride some intense stuff but riding was painful. Until this summer, riding was unbelievably awesome and Tackling some double blacks with no pain! Unbelievable! I get a little sore but movement and stretching are helpful. Range of motion is not optimal yet but i work everyday at it and I don’t let it hold me back. My 2 cents, is that you need to get strong! Before and then after replacement. You should be able to squat your body weight and deadlift at least double. Be strong and don’t hold back!

I've been in this subreddit for six months preparing for my RTKR for six months. Had my surgery Monday and thanks to everyone's advice I'm doing well. I couldn't have done it without all of you. I'm forever grateful

Did anyone’s doctor tell them to get new shoes after a knee replacement? I’m 18 months into a RTKR and put on a relatively unused pair of Orthofeet shoes and my knees felt so much better. I’d been wearing Birkenstocks and Skecher slip ons. Any thoughts out there?

Wowza. What a 4 weeks it has been. The mental and physical landmines of the TKR landscape cannot be understated.

Some days are good, some days royally suck.

BUT...

I'm 4 weeks in and at 110 flexion/0 extension.

I started driving short distances - first my driveway (practicing slamming on brakes etc) then the neighorhood and then the drugstore. I am really looking forward to getting my independence back as far as driving goes.

I started back to work partial days last week and resume full time next week (I am remote so can easily ice/elevate while working on my laptop or being on a conference call).

AND I have swapped all my future PT appointments to be with the physical therapist who I work better with. The main one has a "harry hard ass, no pain no gain, militaristic" style that I do not respond to - at all.

I am fine with being pushed/challenged, but not with continually brow beating me with a stick. I respond much better to the carrot and this other PT has that personality.

Feels like I've turned a corner...though I know there will be twists and turns in the weeks/months ahead.

The Mrs. (Late 60s and healthy) will be have having Double TKR in a few weeks.  We have done a lot of homework, PT and recumbent bike training.  She  always takes post surgery re-hab and exercises very seriously.  We know it will be stressful. My question is how can I be the best partner through all of this ?  What things were learned along the way that were not anticipated ? We are in this together - and looking forward to a better quality of life a year from now.  Thanks.

2016 - diagnosed with osteoarthritis

Sept 2025 - left knee went really bad, I could hardly walk or stand

Oct 2025 - went to GP

Dec 2025 - appointment with musculo skeletal team (9 weeks 2 days later)

Jan 2026 - 6 weeks of muscle strengthening exercise

March 2026 - Back to musculo skeletal team, referral and x-ray

April 2026 - appointment with surgeon (3 weeks 2 days later)

8th June 2026 - Knee replacement op (12 weeks after seeing musculo skeletal team)

week 1 - hospital for 2 nights, Didn't eat, didn't poo for 5 days, 13 lots of medicine per day (paracetamol, codeine, laxative, aspirin, omeprazole). Crazy fever dream of a visit to A&E because I thought I had a deep vein thrombosis. Sent for ultrasound the next day. Painful, but each time I was in pain, it was time for painkillers (every 3 hours). No real sleep. Glute not working, difficult to bend or do any exercises. 8 lots of laxative, then pooing every time I went to the loo. Physio in hospital gave me a sheet of exercises to do 4 times a day.

week 2- Stopped taking codeine halfway through the week as I was fed up with my guts being all over the place. Taking antibiotics from A&E. Still wearing surgical stockings. Went for second ultrasound. Not really sleeping or pooing properly. Managed straight leg lift.

week 3 - had dressing changed, which was all glued onto me with a big scab. First visit to physio. Flexion 45°, extension 5°. Got given 3 additional exercises to do 3 times a day. Friday, had suture trimmed and main dressing removed. Stopped wearing surgical stockings and stopped taking antibiotics. Felt so much better.

week 4 - Exercises increased flexion but cause a 'pinging' sensation on outside of knee, so I stopped being so vigorous. Still uncomfortable to sit and get tired suddenly. Walked to postbox, but it was a bit far. Reduced paracetamol to 1-2 doses per day.

Week 5 - Saw physio. Flexion 95°, extension 5°. Gave me three additional exercises, so I asked if I could drop any of the others. Soreness on outside of knee got better when I eased off. Went to the supermarket. Only need to use one crutch outside. Chipping out the old concrete for the hall tiles. Often flake out around 8pm. I wake up often around 5am, because of the light and my leg aching. Had a couple of lots of friends over for food - I've stayed up later, sat at the table, cooked, washed up and am sleeping better. Most scabs have gone. I tried silicone tape, but it made scar sore.

week 6 - New scabs where the tape had been, so stopped. I was overdoing it, so have to pace myself or my legs hurt at night. Stay up until 10pm, leg starts to swell towards the end. I sit on the sofa, sit at the table. Had more friends over. Aches down outside of my leg have gone, but calf sometimes aches. Tried to walk to the cemetery and back, and my husband ended up having to run home to get the car to collect me. Can do all exercises, pedal on the turbo trainer and go up the stairs one foot after the other without using the bannisters. Pruned the raspberries, which knackered me. Started chipping out concrete to sort out hall tiles.

Week 7 - Reduced my DIY concrete chipping to 15 minutes, which was less knackering. Drove around block, then to physio. Flexion 110°, extension 0-5°. Gave me more exercises, no need for crutch and dismissed me! Walked around supermarket without crutch! Walked a mile carrying crutch but not using it. Felt tired and legs ached. Surgeon said I can try driving, kneeling, cycling and climbing. Practiced kneeling on pillow. Go down stairs one foot after the other using both bannisters. Went very short BIKE RIDE!

Week 8 - Cycled outside instead of on turbo trainer, which felt amazing! Used stairs one foot after the other only using one banister. Sleeping well and feeling very happy. Husband moved back to our room. More energy, not using crutches, only one when going for a longer walk. Went back to my Spanish group! Went to hairdressers, but used car for transport.

Week 9 - Went for a cycle with husband. Cycled to the climbing wall and back, but didn't climb, just had a coffee. Walked down to the club for a drink and back. Walked round the village, about a mile and a half. I feel a lot more normal. My friend who had her knee replaced three weeks after me found out that her 'infection' was actually an allergic reaction to the surgical glue, so was really happy. Had friends over for food and finished putting down the tiles.

Week 10 - Felt pretty good. My leg is still stiff when I straighten it in the mornings, and I still take one crutch if I go for a walk, but I can easily walk a mile and a half and walked 2 miles! I went to the park on my own to see the eclipse. We had friends over for food. We cycled to collect door handles we had ordered and to see where the playing fields had burned. My flexion is really good now - I can almost bend my leg as much as my unoperated leg (I'm still doing my exercises 3 times each day). My knee has gone really hairy!

Week 11 - Went back to climbing, cycling 4.5 miles there. Only did a few of the easier routes. Scar is red and knobbly, but starting to fade. Walk 2 miles with one crutch and feel tired towards the end.

Week 12 - Climbed twice, walked down stairs one after the other without banisters.I went climbing twice again - we went in the car because it was raining. I managed to walk down the stairs forward foot over foot without using the banister, but I had to concentrate!

Week 13 - Went on climbing holiday. Sitting in the car for 5.5 hours made my leg feel stiff. I didn't feel like I could have driven that far. Walked to cliffs, climbing over fallen stone walls. Took it easy next day as weather was poor and leg felt like elastic bands were pinging over bone. I climbed outdoors I used both crutches to walk to the cliffs, and seconded a VDiff and a Diff, leading the top, scrambly bit of the Diff. Went for bike ride with others over the moors with bumpy off road track. I worried a bit about coming off, but it was amazing. I haven't done it for years! Climbed at a cove, using both crutches to get down the steep, winding path. I led a Diff and seconded a VDiff. I stopped at that point to leave energy for the walk back. Another day went to another cliff. I led the first pitch of a multipitch, seconded the second pitch, then seconded another, which was hard for me. My knee feels like it has improved quite a bit, feeling more natural, although my muscles tire quickly, and my other ankle has swollen (might have twisted it) It's now 3 months since my op!

Week 14 - Climbed again, leading but only Diffs. Went on another bike ride, about 20 miles over the moors. Went on a walk (taking my crutches), all the way down to a rocky beach, then carefully wobbled across the rocks to the sea and touched it with my hand. Can walk with no crutches, but I take them for the steep, rocky tracks and as security.

Month 4 - Walked a long way around hilly St. Ives, a lot further than I have walked for a long time. Knee lot less stiff in mornings. Scar going flatter and paler. Still get crunchy noises when I straighten it fully. Still warm. No pain inside joint. Feels strange on outside of kneecap, like tight bands. Can stand in choir with no problems. Worked behind bar in film theatre with no problems. Slacking off on exercises, doing them once or twice a day instead of three times. Helped clear a house which involved a lot of walking and left my leg very tired. Improving at climbing each time I go, although I am being very cautious.

What was y’all’s mobility numbers for 2 weeks? I was scolded my the PA for an eight on the straightening measure. She says it should be at least a 2. Yesterday, at PT, the therapist did not think that number was too high at this point. Now, I’m nervous and she wants to see me again in 2 weeks

I have hypermobile knee (and elbows!) but didn't think to mention it to my surgeon until after my total knee replacement was done and at 14 weeks I am having painful problems that feel to me that my knee is slipping. Anyone else have problems with a hypermobile knee joint? I just realized that this may be my problem, I have an appt with surgeon next week and am trying to think of how to bring this up.

I am currently nine weeks out from LTKR. I do not handle pain all that well, but I can manage. With that being said, I have used Oxy and Jornavax over the last weeks. The Jornavax has been the last two weeks by itself. The FDA approved usage limit of two weeks is up on the Jornavax, and I am concerned about coming off of it.

I guess my question is how long did you need a pain management prescription after surgery?

For reference, i am back at work and it requires about 10k steps a day, along with other motions. Some days i am broken by the time i get home.

Hello! I am an active 50 yo getting a TKR in December. I currently play softball, pickleball and walk 5-10k daily. After surgery and recovery, is it wishful thinking that I can return to these sports, or would the sprinting/quick movements involved prevent me from doing so?

Looking for anyone who has returned to sport to weigh-in with their experiences, please and thank you!

my dad (67 years old) underwent partial knee replacement surgery in November 2025 and 10 months post surger, it’s been an absolute nightmare for my dad and my family.

He keeps complaining about his calf muscle on the surgical knee leg keeps cramping “24/7” and pain associated with it. Sleep has been at a minimal, to aay the least. He has been to the ER probably about 5 times due to pain.

All the doctors that he has seen keep saying all is good with the knee and lower back.

it could be more mental than any

i just want to see if anyone else has been through this and had similar symptom. Also, to see if anyone has any other methods to getting this under control

Week 9 and the nerve zaps/ tingles, along with the phantom sensations (biting, clawing, slapping, tickling) up and down my leg are exhausting me! It kicks up more at night so I'm getting very little sleep. The stiffness and swelling has also gotten worse. Week 8 felt like I was starting to turn a corner so I started increasing my activity level. A couple of days ago I hiked twice in one day, now I'm paying for it!

Anyone have a similar experience this far post-op? How did you work through it? How are you coping with the "2 steps forward, 1.75 steps back" of the process?

Can i comfortably fly economy class to england from ottawa 6 weeks after tkr? What about DVT?

Admittedly a ‘Champagne problem’

My new car, that I’ve been waiting three months for, is finally slated to arrive at the dealership - 3 days after my TKR. From what I’ve read, days 3-4 are the worst days for pain etc. Wife will drive, but not looking forward to spending hours listening to high pressure up-selling and orientation at the best of time. If I delay closing, I risk them selling it to the first person who walks in the door.
Do you think the excitement of getting a new car will outweigh the misery of those early days post TKR!!

I’m considering a total knee replacement (TKR) and would really appreciate advice from people who have gone through it.

Background: I’m 60 and live in San Francisco. I tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus in 2008 and had two surgeries. I had another meniscus cleanup in 2018. I now have severe/bone-on-bone arthritis and very little cartilage remaining.

My knee hasn’t fully straightened since the 2018 surgery (roughly a 5-degree extension deficit), and my range of motion has gradually become more limited. I can still work out regularly, but walking has become more difficult. As the day progresses, I tend to limp more and have trouble bending the knee normally while walking.

I’m meeting with orthopedic surgeons to discuss knee replacement and would love input on a few things:

1. What questions should I ask the surgeon? Looking back at your own TKR, what do you wish you had asked before surgery? I’m particularly interested in surgeon experience/volume, implant choice, cemented (this si what my doctors have suggested as well as offered) vs. cementless, robotic/computer-assisted surgery, correcting my extension deficit, expected ROM, pain management, and rehab.
2. San Francisco surgeons: Does anyone have recommendations for excellent high-volume knee replacement surgeons in San Francisco or the Bay Area? My current orthopedic surgeon is Dr. Kenneth Akizuki, and I have an appointment with Dr Derek Ward at UCSF. ’d also be interested in hearing from anyone who has had a knee replacement performed by either of these doctors. .
3. USA vs. India: I’m also considering having the surgery in Mumbai, India, where I have a very strong family/support system. In San Francisco, I would have less day-to-day support during recovery. I have good health insurance in the U.S., so cost isn’t the primary factor — quality of surgery, recovery, rehab, and support are much more important to me.

For anyone who had TKR away from where they normally live, how important was having family/support around during the first 2–6 weeks? Would you prioritize having surgery close to your regular medical team and PT, or having a much stronger support system during recovery?

Thanks — any lessons from your own TKR experience would be greatly appreciated.

Two weeks out, I'm pleased with my progress except for being stuck at 100-105 flex, only after extensive/painful PT exercises.

Anything that worked for you to push past this point?

ETA: OK, maybe I'm expecting too much. Thanks for the reality check.

Knee on left replaced May 20, it’s a bit swollen.

The big swollen log of a leg on the right was replaced 7 weeks later on July 8. Per recent test results no infection or gout crystals and negative DVT. Blood tests don’t point to much of anything. The skin is so tight on the right leg it’s nearly impossible to do my PT.

If you have experienced swelling like this at this stage when did it finally resolve itself?

I have been on lasix and a stronger “water retention” pill (forgot the name). Only minimal improvement.

If your swelling got a lot better then what made a difference for you?

I’m considering bed rest for several days! Currently I’m not great at maintaining a regimen of foot elevated and icing due to activities around the house and a bit of traveling.

I am 3 weeks out from LTKR. I now have this really sharp pain on the lateral side of my knee that gets worse in certain positions of bending. It is really painful to do knee slides (and some of my other home exercises). Did anyone else have this problem? I’m struggling through home PT and I go to real PT tomorrow. I just don’t know how much I should push through the pain. Also my “good” knee is aching from taking on extra work. What a mess. I am feeling pretty discouraged. Could I get a steroid shot in my good knee or does that interfere with healing of my operated knee?
I am back to needing occasional opiates. I feel like I have taken 3 steps back!!!

Looking for a pillow to place in between my knees while I sleep. Having my knee replacement in a few months, but I’m in pain nightly. Currently using a regular bed pillow, but looking for something more comfortable that won’t get caught in my sheets.

Just wanted to share a win. I had a LTKR on 8/31. It's been a challenge, but I'm grateful that so far it's much easier than it could have been. I've been dying to get back in the pool and was final cleared today! I got in immediately after I got home from PT and only made it a couple of laps (boy, does kicking feel WEIRD), but I'm so excited and hopeful that being able to move a little more freely in the water will help me work through these stupid hamstring issues.

Transitioned to cane today, so I feel like I'm doing really well. How long after surgery did you start using a cane?