It’s been 5 years since I had total knee replacement. Time has passed, yet my knee and body continues to hold up nicely. I’ve worked hard to stay in shape and keep my legs and joints in good condition, and I still have no regrets about going through with TKR surgery. In the sections below I’ll share how my knee is doing five years post TKR and my overall quality of life. Together with my knee replacement, I have aged a bit. My knee replacement joint is 5 years old and I am now 72 years of age. Thankfully I continue to be healthy. My knee function continues to amaze me and others. Activity 5 Ye ..read more

Using an intermittent pneumatic compression machine after knee replacement surgery could be a valuable tool for recovery.   Most people are unfamiliar with a leg compression device, so I will share what the device does and why these machines have become popular. I used one after knee replacement surgery as part of ongoing therapy but it can also be used after fitness workouts, prolonged sitting or standing, and after strenuous activity like running or hiking. Lastly I recommend and compare 5 leg compression machines that you can use after surgery. I’ll share which one is my favorite ..read more

It has been four years since I had total knee replacement.  I am pleased to report that I continue to have a well-functioning, pain-free knee.  All in all, the past four years have been wonderful. Despite all of the COVID-19 restrictions, including getting the virus, I have been able to stay active. I continue to exercise and stretch, as well as play pickleball, golf, swim, and hike.  I ride my bike several times a week. I’ve had no setbacks or swelling and am pleased with how my knee looks, feels, and reacts to activity. Dealing With Knee Replacement and COVID-19 Oddly enough ..read more

Single friends have asked me the question: “Can I stay at home alone after TKR?” My answer is that it is possible but not advisable.  I am sure there have been individuals who were able to rehab by themselves from day 1 but it is definitely the exception. You might think you can recover on your own but it will be much easier and less stressful if you have a support system set up for recovery and rehabilitation. If you are living alone and can call on a family member or a close friend to stay with you for the first week after TKR it will make it easier to go it alone after the first week ..read more

After my total knee replacement I went through a long recovery process.  It wasn’t easy, but I my rehabilitation was successful. I hoped it would be the first and last TKR I would need, and up to this point, I’ve only required one.  I put off TKR for a long time because I wanted the procedure to last the rest of my life. Unfortunately, some people will need more than one knee replacement.  However, it’s not uncommon for people require the surgery to be done multiple times. In this article I will discuss several reasons why you may need additional TKR surgery or what is known as ..read more

Knee replacement recovery is a long process accompanied with many types of aches and pains. While some people only experience swelling and stiffness, others may experience pain around the knee. A tight IT band is a common feeling after knee replacement, however, it is not specific to knee replacement. In fact, many athletes and people without a history of knee problems experience the same issue. If you are recovering from knee replacement surgery and you have a tight IT band (and pain), don’t be alarmed. There are stretching and strengthening exercises you can do to relieve the tightness. As y ..read more

Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) can be a therapy used as part of recovery after knee replacement surgery. Although I didn’t use one during my recovery, I know they can be a valuable component for other people’s rehabilitation. I will outline how it works specific to the knee joint and discuss some of the pros and cons of continuous passive motion machines (or CPM machines). This is not a therapy that you should choose on your own. The decision to use a CPM machine should be made by your surgeon or your physical therapist. There are alternatives to CPM which include physical therapy and active ..read more

I was impressed by my maximum bend after knee replacement surgery. What I enjoy the most, however, is regaining the bend of my knee minus the pain! Regaining the bend in your knee is critical after knee replacement surgery. How much you can bend it before knee surgery, and following, it will be different for everyone. Measuring the maximum bend is not an easy task. Each person will have knee surgery for different reasons and experience successes and challenges during each person’s recovery. There are some approximate knee bend measurements that you can shoot for, and I will share them with you ..read more

Hip pain after knee replacement is quite common. I discovered this during my own recovery experience. If you have been walking incorrectly or limping for several years prior to your TKR surgery, you might be susceptible to hip pain after knee surgery. It’s often the case that after TKR surgery, your physical therapist will help you relearn the proper walking technique. After all, old habits take time to change and if you’re like me, you’ll need to concentrate to walk properly on your new knee. My experience with hip pain originated because I had been walking incorrectly for decades and I put u ..read more

Like most young boys, I remember having dreams of parachuting out of an airplane. As time went by, I thought less about skydiving, especially with a bad knee. Once I had my first knee surgery, I crossed the activity off my list. Eventually, I had knee replacement surgery and I didn’t think it was even possible. What a surprise when for my 69th birthday day, my son took me skydiving. This was 2 years after my knee replacement, so I had ample time to recover from the surgery. I didn’t know what we were going to do until I arrived at the airport. No time for second thoughts and chickening out. Ap ..read more