My Total Knee Replacement Weeks 1-3

Here I explain my journey through the first 3 weeks post Total Knee Replacement on August 8th, 2023. Tips, exercises, and thoughts to help anyone else about to go through the surgery or is going through it now.

[@chiaragerevasi6699]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I got my new left knee 8 weeks ago and only now, I’m starting to sleep a bit more every night. I had so many sleepless nights on the recliner, but I’m catching up on my sleep now. It’s hard at the beginning, but being able to walk again without any pain, is priceless. I hope my right knee will be soon fixed as well. I hope you recovered well!

[@kputala]

@chiaragerevasi6699 It's my pleasure, and hope that by sharing my journey, it can put some minds at ease, and give some idea of what to expect. It's a major surgery and sounds scary when they tell you about it. The rehab is no joke, and even a year later, I'm still recovering and not fully healed yet. My 1 year follow up is 11/4 and will post a video with an update. So glad to hear you're doing well!

[@ellenagar542]

Hi Kevin I enjoyed seeing your video. I have my surgery on 9 October in the UK. I am 75 and hoping for a good result. Looking forward to seeing how you are in the next video

[@kputala]

@ellenagar542 Hello Ellen, I pray that your surgery goes well and that you have a full and complete recovery. Be prepared to put in ALOT of work over the first 3 months, especially the first 2 weeks. In the first 2 weeks it is critical to get your knee bent to 90 degrees and locked out straight. Many worry about the bend, but getting it straight is just as important. Take your pain meds before therapy, and do the exercises 3-4 times a day, every day, unless your doctor directed otherwise. If you can get a cryotherapy ice machine, it's a life saver. You can get it on Amazon, and bit pricey, but worth every penny. I still use mine after a rough week. The link is below. a.co/d/6PnxslB Remember, your recovery and your journey through this is yours alone. It may be similar to mine or others, but it's yours alone based on your body, and a host of other things. You'll do fine, you've got this! 👍👊 I'll do an update very soon!

[@Midgiemoon]

Great video! Your Experience was similar to mine. It’s quite something how the pain management works. I never felt any pain., just moderate discomfort. My surgery was October 11, 2024, and I started driving at 3 weeks. I was really fortunate that I could lift my leg right away, my initial ROM was 90. I definitely set me up for rapid improvement with PT. I’m thrilled so far, and glad I did it!

[@kputala]

@@Midgiemoon Glad you liked the video, wow, you had great results!! It really set you up for getting back to the things you enjoy!

[@markusanthonylink]

Thank you, Kevin. Great info. I'm 4 weeks post surgery now. I think you progressed a bit faster than i am. I'm about 115 degrees in flexion, but working hard. I have my other knee surgery already scheduled. I'm looking forward to just doing normal things without pain or very little pain. I appreciate your insight and your story. God bless you sir! I pray you're doing well! 🙏🏻

[@kputala]

@markusanthonylink Hello Markus! I'm glad you found the video helpful. If there's one thing I learned through all of this, it's that each person's recovery is unique to them. We may find similarities with others, but we are all so unique I haven't found anyone who's journey is identical to mine. Glad to hear you're progressing well. My surgeon told me before I was wheeled into the OR, that for some reason the second surgery is more painful than the first. I found that to be true, but only initially. After the first 2 weeks, it was the same as the first. I have my 1 year follow up for both knees on 11/4 and I have some questions. My recovery is progressing, just slower than I anticipated. I'll do an update video after the appointment. Praying you continue to recover fully and that your second surgery is a successful one with full recovery as well.

[@annecarrick8168]

Bless you Sir, I sm scheduled for October 30th, scared but it has to be done.thank you for this video and I wish you a continued successful recovery.

[@kputala]

@annecarrick8168 Thank you Anne, I know your surgery is soon and I pray it goes well and you have a full and complete recovery. It's alot of work, but you will do great. 👍🙏

[@majanganakaja5159]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I did it mine, TKR today 05.04.24

[@kputala]

@majanganakaja5159 My pleasure! I pray you have a full and complete recovery. It's alot of work, especially the first month, getting your leg to bend to 90 and straight, but you'll get there!

[@patricksnead6546]

Thanks for the insight. I've already had both of my knees operated on. Arthroscopic surgery to remove the meniscus and clean up the knee cap. I was told then that I was a candidate for complete replacement and to go as long as I could stand it. That was over ten years ago. I just had the left knee done the 24th of September. So I'm about two weeks out now. I was already at 90° + after surgery. I've had two sessions with TP and they said I'm doing great. They told me to ditch the walker and start with the cain. Yep. There's pain and swelling. Mostly from the tourniquet. I'm a little stiff and sore starting out but it eventually works it's way out. I was at 110° last visit. I bought one of those peddle in place cycler that I can scoot up to my chair. They work great for motion. Still some pain. Tylenol mostly but occasionally pain meds. I'm only in week two. Looking forward to much improvement over the next few weeks. Thanks for the information.

[@kputala]

@patricksnead6546 Hello Patrick! Your story is very similar to mine. My meniscus surgery in 2016 and I was told the same thing. Keep up the work, your progress is going great! 👍

[@PC-zg3eo]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I’m heading to the ortho on Monday for evaluation. My knee MRI was terrible. I’m preparing myself psychologically. This has been helpful.

[@kputala]

@PC-zg3eo When you learn what all they do during the surgery, it can be pretty nerve wracking, but you'll notice an immediate difference. The rehab? It's tough, but you've got this! 👍

[@PC-zg3eo]

@@kputala Unfortunately, I am a retired RN so I know all the gory details. Having some medical knowledge can be a two edged sword. I overthink things. Getting the perspective of someone who has had the surgery and who tells the story without histrionics and exaggeration is invaluable to me. Thank you!

[@kputala]

@@PC-zg3eo My pleasure. 🙏

[@csedlacek]

Had my surgery in the hospital. Stayed two nights in the hospital!! Thank God! No way would have gone home! I went straight into out patient PT!! Riding bike by week two!

[@kputala]

@csedlacek That's great! Both of mine were outpatient and I went home right afterward. I kinda wish I did stay in the hospital at least one night.

[@csedlacek]

This was my second one. The first one was done the old way and the second one was done with robotics! So much better.. I have issues with pain control and loosing my cookies.. Ended up doing the same thing again. My Dr. has all his knee patients stay in the hospital at least one night. I get the privilege of staying in tonight. This way I get the good stuff.

[@csedlacek]

I am a athlete and I play Pickleball so I get the best therapy. There is out there. I will be in therapy for probably at least two months to three months working on all kind of moves. Lateral moves. Anything that will help me get better on the Pickleball court.

[@sylviaimossi2365]

Thank you for your video. 1 week since my surgery. The 4 exercise he sent me are very painful. Today which is my 7th day , can walk pretty fast with my walker but still can't bend my knees. For the last 2 nights I've been sleeping quite well, only getting up once. I feel less pain today but yesterday morning I was crying of intense pain. I'm 77 yrs. I have noticed improvement. Starting physio this week. I dread the exercises but I must do them . Thanks for your advice. I live in Spain.

[@kputala]

@sylviaimossi2365 Hello Sylvia! To me, the first 4 weeks were the hardest. Your body just underwent surgery, it's swollen, it hurts, and you have to do those exercises bending and straightening the knee. This is the most important period in getting your range of motion back. Be sure to take your pain meds at least 30 minutes before you go to therapy so they are on your system and working. I did the same before I did the exercises at home. That way you will be able to get the work done that needs to be done without doing Brevard it hurts too much. Afterward, ice and elevation we're my best friends. I still use the ice machine after a rough day or week. Hang in there, it will get easier. I'll be praying for your complete abs full recovery. You've got this! 👍

[@sylviaimossi2365]

Thank you so much. I an doing the exercises it really hurts. . Thanks for your prayer.

[@belsps]

Thanks for sharing😀

[@kputala]

@belsps My pleasure, I just hope any of my videos are off use to someone, somewhere. 🙏

[@collinsa8909]

Congrats on eventually hitting 1k subs. The monetization threshold.

[@kputala]

Thank you, that's one of the thresholds. Now I have to hit watch time and one other metric before I'm eligible. We'll see what happens. 👍

[@DeanHenry-hm9bd]

Great video, I will be 2 weeks out from. TLKR tomorrow, my bend is stuck at 78, and they want it to be at 90 at the 2 week mark, I’m 66 in great shape, but struggling with this, I have my 2 week follow up tomorrow, so we’ll say what they say, I also subscribed to your channel to keep up the great work.

[@kputala]

@DeanHenry-hm9bd Hello Dean, Getting that bend is a lot of work. For the first month, I did the therapy exercises 4 times per day, elevating and icing in between. At 4 weeks, I began slowly pedaling back and forth on the bike until I could do full rotations in each direction. It hurts, but we have to push through until we get there. Keep it up! 👍

[@DeanHenry-hm9bd]

@@kputala saw my PT on Friday. He came in and got my knee bend to 84 which is a little bit of improvement so I took your advice and started doing my exercises four times a day instead of three so I see my PT again this coming Tuesday so hopefully I’ll be at the 90 mark thank you again Kevin for all the information in your help. I appreciate it.

[@kputala]

@DeanHenry-hm9bd My pleasure sir! 🙏

[@andreehubley3497]

Thank You Kevin for all the info.

[@kputala]

@@andreehubley3497 My pleasure! 🙏

[@marisolotero9285]

Thank you for sharing the information. I’m on my 4 week post op TKR.

[@kputala]

@@marisolotero9285 Hi Marisol, my pleasure, I hope your recovery is going well!

[@dcloud670]

I couldn't feel anything at all from the nerve block and pain meds and thats amazing that you was able to notice anything

[@kputala]

@dcloud670 I was heading home after surgery at 1pm, the nerve block wore off sometime overnight, around 2am. Afterward I mostly used the ice machine for pain, and meds before/after therapy and doing exercises.

[@debspodeck4390]

Hi Kevin! Great video, so helpful for those of us preparing for TKA. I wondered if you might have a recommendation on which ice machine to obtain? I see there are many out there and would appreciate any recommendation you might be able to offer. Thank you again so much for sharing your experience and I hope you continue to progress well!

[@kputala]

@debspodeck4390 Hi Deb! I bought my ice machine from my surgeon's office. It's an Ossur Cryotherapy machine, I'll put the link below. It's around $200, but it is worth every penny. It kept me from taking the pain meds regularly, and I still use it today after a good workout or long week at work. There are cheaper versions as well, but regardless of the brand, it is worth getting one. Ice packs work, but need to be re-frozen constantly. The machine stays cold for hours a day. Hope that helps! Ossur Cold Rush Therapy Machine System with Knee Pad - Ergonomic, Adjustable Knee Ice Pack Wrap - Quiet, Lightweight Ice Pack for Knee - Strong Cryotherapy Ice Machine for Knee After Surgery a.co/d/h2sc3UJ

[@debspodeck4390]

@@kputala Thank you so much!! 😊

[@kputala]

@@debspodeck4390 My pleasure. 🙏

[@Piertides]

I did the exact same thing as rehab at home. Just constantly working on range of motion. My doc told me, expressed to me, that the rehab was up to me alone. It wasn’t the most pleasant thing for 12 or so weeks but not terrible either. I also did the bike pedal and used a TREX for balance with the quad work. Now the opposite knee needs replaced 😅

[@kputala]

@Piertides It's alot of work, and it really is up to us. You can't just rely on a few therapy sessions and do nothing in between. Getting mine done 4 months apart I think slowed my progress. Slow progress is still progress though! 😁

[@toryberch]

Thank you for laying it out there as to what to expect and working on a routine I am 2 weeks away from my surgery. I am close to 60 so no spring chicken 😉 How long were you in the hospital? Are you recovering alone? If so I would like to hear about how difficult that might be and what did you do to have everything ready for first day home? I think I'm most nervous about not having everything I need and not being prepared. Sorry for long post lol

[@kputala]

Hi Tory, I'll be doing more in-depth when I do my right knee on November 28th. I'll do another update in the coming week. You'll do great!

[@toryberch]

@@kputala Ok and I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly Mine is Nov 15 so I will be rooting for you as well Thanks for the videos

[@zandraparks9320]

I'm at 6 weeks since my surgery .I still have swelling and I still have scar tissue .I'm still have a hard time putting on my compression socks and still having a hard time getting dressed I'm still in lots of pain and still having a hard time sleeping and not walking normal I pray it heals up well is this normal what I'm going through .I'm going to PT 3 times a week

[@kputala]

Hello Zandra! I have learned through all of this that your recovery may be similar to others you read about or see, but it is uniquely your own. At six weeks after surgery I was still in pain, had trouble sleeping, and was pretty much in the same situation you describe. Yes, it does get better, but I find it is a slow process, much slower than I expected. Even at a year for one and 10 months for the other, I still get pain from time to time, and stiffness. I don't know your age, I'm 58 and being older I'm sure slows the process a bit as well. Keep putting in the work, take your pain meds as prescribed, ice, and elevate your leg. Therapy hurts and is hard, but necessary. You've got this!

[@Clarkson350]

Amazing to get out of the surgery centre in 3 hours!

[@kputala]

@@Clarkson350 That's when the fun begins! 😁

[@Clarkson350]

@@kputala I’ve had surgery 8 times, never enjoyed it. Hospital here is 8to 12 hours minimum. They want you 3 hours early, never mind being out that fast.

[@kputala]

@@Clarkson350 8 times on your knee?!!

[@Clarkson350]

@@kputala just 4 knee surgeries, 4 eye surgeries, bunch of small stuff and procedures

[@MarilynMiller-dy4cx]

I just watched your video for the second time and was wondering why you did elevation of your leg then icing instead of doing icing and elevating together.

[@kputala]

@MarilynMiller-dy4cx Hello Marilyn! Good question! I never thought about how I described it. I have an Ossur cryotherapy machine, and it was set up on a tray table next to my recliner. That became my icing station (still is!), and while my feet were elevated, a recliner doesn't elevate to the point where the feet are above the heart. This allows fluid to drain from the legs. I have a 45-degree wedge that I use lying on the bed, so my feet are higher than my heart. My bed is also adjustable, so I can go even higher. That's what I meant by elevating the legs. I would usually do the exercises, elevate, then ice. Great question!

[@JamesFord-ng6qx]

Ty for the info heading in for mine

[@kputala]

@JamesFord-ng6qx My pleasure. Praying you have a successful surgery and complete recovery.

[@ArleneJanitschek]

Hi Kevin , I’m having my TKR on 12/3/24 . I’m actually a PT in a major medical center and I evaluate total knee replacement pts post op on day of surgery to clear them for home . I know the exercises as I teach the Dane ones , but my pts leave and do the home PT or out patient PT and I have no idea how the pistol period goes as don’t work in that area of physical therapy . Appreciate your encouragement and advise for first 3 wks . I know it will be work . My dr does not do home PT , I go directly to out pt PT the day after my surgery . Ortho drs have their own protocols and many are different . Will be quite different being a patient , I’ve been working in a hospital setting for 40 years and out PT is a whole different area of expertise . Good luck with your rehab and your upcoming other knee surgery . Arlene

[@timfleischman1676]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Well done and very informative. Hope your Journey is going well. I start mine in January.

[@kputala]

@timfleischman1676 My pleasure Tim. The journey is no joke, especially with two of them. I thought I'd be back to "normal" in 12 months. Not quite, hoping for 18 months. 🤞

[@DavidQuintana-my8xe]

Is that a knee high compression sock you are wearing?

[@kputala]

@DavidQuintana-my8xe Hello David! It's actually a thigh-high compression stocking I had to wear for the first two weeks after surgery, as the risk of blood clots is high. I wasn't allowed to remove it until my post-op visit, when they said I could remove it.

[@myarnie1950]

Kevin great video and lots of good advice When does the bandage/stocking come off Is it allowed to get wet eg shower etc Cheers

[@kputala]

Thank you! I'm glad you find it useful. The bandage and stocking came off at 2 weeks, at my post Op appointment. If for any reason the swelling still hasn't gotten better they may keep the stocking on for another week. Both times I lost the stocking at 2 weeks and the bandage was removed. After 2 weeks you can get it wet and take a shower but not submerge it. After 6 weeks my surgeon allows baths, swimming, etc.

[@myarnie1950]

Thank you Kevin my wife has her knee replacement in Feb which includes 5 Days in the hosp and a further 10 days in rehab which has a therapy pool Could be interesting to see what they do Cheers take care

[@kputala]

@@myarnie1950 I wish her the best and pray for a full and speedy recovery! 🙏

[@LeslieYounkin]

Where are you from? I had r knee replacement Sept 10th had left one done May 30th. Sounds exactly similar to what my surgeon did.

[@kputala]

@@LeslieYounkin Tampa, FL

[@PeterSmith-mt3bo]

Am 17weeks in walking ok but still working the muscle on op leg.

[@kputala]

@PeterSmith-mt3bo Yeah, it's a loooooooong road back, but keep doing what you're doing! The strength is still something I'm working on. If I tried, I'd have a 1/8" vertical jump. 🤣🤣

[@maryannmorrissey1788]

When could you climb stairs?

[@kputala]

@maryannmorrissey1788 Hello Maryann! Take into account that I had my left knee done and four months later had my right done. From the time I had my right knee done, I began working with a step in my garage about 8 weeks after surgery. I tried taking stairs periodically, but it was really rough. At 12 weeks I returned to work and had to do stairs, but it wasn't really good. Even now I can go up and down normally, but at a slower pace, and they still feel weaker than I expected at a year post surgery. I have my 1 year follow up 11/4. I'll do a video on what I find out.

[@johnschannel449]

l heard knee replacement surgery is just as painful as having your leg amputated How do people survive the pain

[@kputala]

@johnschannel449 Hi John! I don't know about that, but while it was painful, it was nowhere near as painful as my shoulder surgery. I was actually surprised because considering all they do, I was expecting worse.

[@johnschannel449]

@@kputala ll guess alot depends on having a good surgeon and the right painkillers

[@MM-ig2zq]

There is a better less invasive surgery where the muscle and the tendon is not cut just push to the side. I’m scratching my head why people don’t get this. Only a few doctors will do it that’s the downside.

[@flaquita6084]

🙏🙏🙏