Hi,
I have not had a knee replacement but I work in the water with folks who have. I am in Canada so things might be a little different in the US.

Shortly after replacement, the docs want the patient to start working on getting the bend in the in knee. They use a machine to gently bend the leg. The patient is referred to physiotherapy after discharge - which includes riding an exercise bike and other exercises. We get them in the water after 6 weeks - after all incisions are healed. We work on range of motion - bicycles, kicks, knee lifts, side leg lifts. We also go into the deep water with belts and do jacks and skis, kicks and vertical flutters. We want to work on all the stabilizing muscles, balance, and posture.

The most important thing is to get that range of motion back, to break down that scar tissue. If the patient doesn't get their range of motion back ASAP (within a year or so), they may never get it back. It takes some work, it is painful but necessary.

It's also a good idea to do these exercises BEFORE replacement - it makes recovery easier & faster. It takes dedication but it's worth it. It's a long haul but dedication to recovery is extremely important.
Best of luck !

Pamela you are not a burden... life can be frightening some times. I had a total knee replacement about 12 years ago at age 50... and I am doing fine... It was the best thing I could of done because of all the pain I was in... Don't get me wrong you know it isn't the knee that you were born with but it is so nice to be able to get around and not have pain any longer...and yes I would do it again in fact my other knee needs replaced sometime soon. At one time they did say they only last 10 years but they have changed that now the replacement last 20 years. I guess the part that bothers me the most about the replacement is I can't put any pressure on my knee like getting on my knees but I can do everything else...but heck I can't put pressure on my other knee because it hurts all the time..so that is not a big deal. Now for me with RA the knee that was replaced seem to stay swollen but so do a lot of my other joints. But even if it is swollen it doesn't hurt. The meds I am on now seem to help some days but not other days with the swelling and that may get better as the meds get into my system longer. I agree with Northernelf about doing some exercises before surgery to keep those muscles working... it makes recovery so much faster.... Hope this has helped a bit...

Pamela, if you can't tell it like it is on here - then you can't anywhere. This is the vent zone.

Haven't had the replacement myself but have plenty of fa.ily members and friends that have. In every case they've exclaimed "I should've done it sooner". Everyone was pleased by their results. So don't fret.

I've not had knee replacement but a family member did z& she does not regret it one bit.
She said no more pain like before. She can't bend it like before but she has no regrets. Sure seemed happier then before.
She'll be getting the other done.
Hope this helps, sammy

Oh my goodness......Thankyou every single one of you. You have lifted my morale and i feel so much less worried now. I live in France. I should think things are pretty much the same here. I am to have both knees done but in one year interval. All your testimonies are so helpful....Thanks millions

I'm glad you asked Pamela. It's a question I was curious about also. I'm looking at knee replacement soon also. Without insurance though it'll probably be awhile. I know a few people that have had it done but they all had dramatic differences. Two of them didn't follow through on physical therapy and still have problems a couple of years following the replacement. One did physical therapy and followed all instructions for home and she says it was the best decision she made having it done.

Thanks Sheri. I hope you get the insurance soon

Hi pamela, I just had a knee replacement done. Oct. 23 so believe me it is fresh in my mind. I really did not want to go into much at the time but feel okay to go into it know. Especially if I can help another sole. It is a very intense operation and does require a lot of rehab work afterwards so prepare yourself. A kind soul gave me this site to go on and I am still thanking them as there is a plethora of information and folks like on this site to connect with: www.bonesmart.org

I was out of work for three months and just went back on mid January. I can say i am better than I was prior to the surgery. I am still having periods of being tired and stiff, but I can walk without pain and limping. These new knees are made of titanium so they are ending up lasting much longer than the 10 years that was previously slated four. May last a life time as some doctors are now predicting especially if you get one in your mid to late 50's. Mine was a TKR. No need to worry much as if it is needed and you have the right doctor and hospital you should not have any problems. You really need to give yourself about 6months - one year to really heal. If you want to go deeper into more info you can PM me. I don't mind. Good luck with everything. Make certain of scheduling. Especially when you are on biologics. Do go to the site it may alleviate some of your fears. Do Take good care of yourself.

I forgot to add that I have better bend and mobility now. I had a great PT at home and at the Rehab facility I went to three times a week and did the exercises at home religiously. It's a total commitment if you want the movement back. I can bend the op knee better than I can the non- op knee.

Sheri did not know you need as well. Insurance must be taken care of first. Very expensive op. I know you know you must have coverage. Good luck to you as well when it is you are able to obtain yours.

Thanks Christine. This kind of expereince and testimonial really helps me. I saw a friend today and she asked me how i was ( as i'de spent the week in hospital). I cut it very short and told her that i will have to have both knees replaced. She then proceeded to tell me to be careful because it can sometimes be a good thing but can often be a bad thing...her finger pointing at me in admonishon. I was raging Inside of me because i have been fighting to keep my spirits up about all this and people just come at me with their non expriences. I know i can count on people here because you are an intelligent lot with knowing experience. I'm so glad i found this website.

I need mine done...RA killed my knees while waiting for the right meds to kick in..

But I'm chicken....bock block.

Lin

I too am curious about knee replacement experiences. I am scheduled for one in Mid March. I work out in a pool every day. I'm hoping that will help my recovery. I was in so much pain 5 years ago, when I was first diagnosed, or when I came out of denial, whichever you prefer. It can't be any worse than that.....can it?
On top of that, don't be mad at me, at 61 I've never been in a hospital. I have no idea what to expect. I don't like the idea of being 'sliced and diced' but I don't like not being able to walk either, so I'm doing it.
Any tips?

I wish you could sent me some bravery. I think I will have to be crawling before I get the nerve. I also never been in hospital except having my 2 children.

I think I made the mistake of watching YouTube the whole knee surgery, it scared the poopers out of me. Sometimes the internet is not a good thing, and ignorance is bless. =)~

Hi Pamela,
I had a total knee replacement in September 2011. While my new knee is completely functional, it's not pain free. It doesn't hurt all the time, and isn't excruciating, but I am always aware of it. I too spent a LOT of time on bonesmart.org. It's a great forum with an area for those presurgery and then another area for postsurgery. I got a lot of encouragement there--and I needed it because I had a major complication. My femur was fractured during the surgery. So my recovery was not the norm. I spent more than 2 months either in bed or in a wheelchair. I couldn't walk for 10 weeks. And then I did six months of intensive PT--three times a week after that. About 3 months after the surgery, I had to have a manipulation under anesthesia because my range of motion was not good.

With all that said, I don't think any of that had anything to do with how my knee feels now. My joint looks great on xray, but it just doesn't feel like I expected it to. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I'm one of the few people who wishes I had waited longer to do it. My mindset at the time was well if I know I'm going to have to have it replaced, why not do it now and have the benefit of being pain free now instead of later. Didn't quite work out that way for me.

I wish you the best in making the decision. It's a tough one!