Total Knee Replacement, Anyone?

Update, I’m 85% human again (except the knee). Opioid problems are mostly gone, appetite is coming back. I had went from Sunday dinner to Thursday dinner without much to eat, I’m back on solids now.

2nd PT was Friday and went well, she really pushed my range. I didn’t improve last week as I had hardly moved, but I didn’t decrease either. She put me on the bike and I thought she was crazy….but injured leg forward and good leg doing the up/down work. Think 1/3 pedal strokes forward/backward, a great way to stretch the muscles and gain range of motion. I need to get my trainer from the garage to the house for ease of access.

Sleeping positions continue to be a problem, I’ve heard that from others. I’m good for 2-3hrs, then wake from pain or lack of movement and it takes another 10min to find the next position. That means a solid 1+hr nap each midday, which is ok.


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Adding that I had been using a walker for the first 12 days, it was very useful for stability. However, I just grabbed my crutches and discovered that they certainly help with walking more naturally, placing more weight on the leg and stretching the muscles. Recommend trying to convert as early as possible during recovery. I’ll probably keep the walker around for midnight trips to the bathroom.


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So many similarities after doing any major surgery no matter the kind. So many related to the drugs.

Well, almost there. I saw the doc this week for my preop CT scan, and he also went over the entire procedure with me, step by step. I have to say I have been impressed with the thoroughness and attention to detail. I am having the Mako Robotic Total Knee with a Stryker Triathlon (cementless) implant. Doc said there are many implants and some are better than others for certain attributes, but there is no perfect implant. I like him, he is very straighforward. Confident but not cocky.

Timeline for the procedure: Doc said it should be 30 min from the time they give me the two nerve blocks, then 90 minutes for surgery, then 40 minutes to close. So a little over two hours in the OR. Then recovery room, on my feet as soon as possible, then I get to go home once I can urinate.

With PT, he seems to advocate a slow recovery at first. He doesn't want me to start my outside PT, in fact, until two weeks have passed. He stressed that the most important thing the first two weeks is keeping swelling to a minimum and allowing the tendons and everything to firm up. KEEP THE SWELLING DOWN. He gave me some exercises to do at home, along with walking a bit every hour. After that, he said I can ramp up quickly, and once I hit 6 weeks go hog wild.

They will call me on Monday with the exact time, but I am second on the schedule. I like that. Let him get one under his belt for the morning, a little warm up. Just enough!

Hope you continue to improve each day, Iowa. See you all on the other side.

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Thanks for the updates fellas, Griz sounds like you&#39;re off and running so to speak. All is relative right? I&#39;m looking at 5/28 unless something comes up sooner on the cancellation list.</p>
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I had been planning for a walker so Griz confirms that to be a dependable ride in the beginning, I&#39;m shopping ice machines now and leaning towards the DonJoy. Good luck tomorrow IH</p>

ticketchecker: As far as ice machines, when I had my ACL done last year I bought the Breg Polar Care Wave Cold Compression Therapy System. Although the compression is not recommended for the first 10 days or so, after that I found it to be really helpful.

I knew I would get a lot of use out of the machine (my son, who is a baseball player, also uses it for his arm), I just didn&#39;t know I would be using it on the same knee so soon!

We got lucky, and the neighbor went us and ice machine. But for comparison purposes, I could have rented one for $180 a month.

If you can buy for $250 or less, they seem like a good investment.

Somewhere I have an old Cryo cuff that's been passed around between so many of my friends I'm not really sure who has it now.

If I buy a new one I can sell it in gear swap or trade for firearms on Craigslist

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My PT is a great guy, super smart, but he says: “Age is just a number.”

I did just take delivery of some skis from Marshal to go with my aftermarket knee next season, so I'll be back in my prime then!

Leaving the hospital now. Took longer than anticipated. But Doc said everything went very well, and because they did not give me general anesthesia (spinal with two nerve blocks instead) I actually feel pretty good. Except for the obvious knee pain, I woul not even know I just had surgery. More like the feeling after a colonoscopy or endoscopy.

Once the nerve blocks wear off, I am sure it will be a different story.

Anesthesiologist said everything is geared toward getting me up and running asap. They find it works better. He was awesome. Surgeon was awesome. Nurses were awesome.

Hardest part was having to wait to pee in order to be released. How do you pee when you cannot feel your Jimmy Johnson or your backside?

Oh, and driving 90 minutes home in the backseat of a Jeep Wrangler? Not recommended.

I take it back. Hardest part is trying to post something on this Hellscape of a site.

Ha! I have several new HL to motivate me during PT!

Hold the Wrangler and squeeze the Johnson, got it

Yesterday morning I was walking around without aid, doing some of the home exercises. This morning every inch of my body hurts.

In truth, my back is the worst because of my spondylolysis/lythesis. It does not like me laying on my back, and that is the only real option with the knee. My back is cramping up pretty good.

Lots of quad soreness today, as well. I have been on top of the meds, but put a call into the doc to see about changing the script to something with a bit more kick.

Changed the dressings this morning, took some nice pics. Happy to share if someone&#39;s morbid curiosity is dying to see. And if I can get them to upload.

walking around that soon sounds impressive.

Just found out my Doc doesn't do the CT scan pre-op thing. As luck would have it the resort I work at is hosting an Ortho conference this weekend and he's going to be here as well as my buddy's kid who is the sales guy for Stryker implants. Imm gonna go over to the conference, pick out something nice and have a convo about the CT scan piece.

My wife helped me get to a position on my side, and holy hell I am 6 trillion times happier. My back has been silenced.

Yeah, heck, I went to my son&#39;s baseball scrimmage yesterday and sat in the bleachers. The sun was shining so it was a nice change of scenery.

The CT scan I received was to get the info for the Mako Robotic units, I believe. In fact, that&#39;s why I have two incisions: one over the knee and one lower down where they anchored an array to my shin bone. I believe the robots use it for triangulation.

It would be cool to speak to someone from Stryker. Hear their angle.

I did 2 positions and rotisseried. I switched between on my back, and on my non-surgery side with a pillow between my legs.

That is my new approach, as well. Try to distribute the bed sores evenly. Ha!

My quad is so sore today, which is making it hard to move. I had started isometric quad contractions yesterday, and may have gone overboard. That&#39;s my m.o. Tell me to do 12 reps, I do 50. Marine mentality.

I'll probably have the opportunity to talk to a couple different vendors, the Stryker guy for sure. Curious about the scan and my Doc since his website says he does the Mako thing, we didn't get that into detail at the first appointment.

It is pretty fascinating. The precision is greater with robot-assisted. Whether that makes a difference at the end of the day, I do not know. My doc seemed to think so.

I do believe that the cementless implants are better because when they wear out, it is a simpler procedure. Open the knee up, pop out the plastic and pop in a new one. Not something to laugh about, it is surgery, but easier. And that is kind of important since having this done at 53 y.o., I will wear this one out.

Hope you can snap some photos of the implants. Doc told me the Stryker Triahlon was good. Checked all the boxes. No implant is perfect, but the Tri was a solid and well-tested device.

Last night (Thursday, Surgery +2) sucked. Ran a mild fever all night, just felt terrible. Knee was screaming, and my doc changed my prescription from Vicadin (which are like tic-tacs for me) to oxycodone. Took two, and the knee was still burning. But I have always had a too high tolerance for drugs.

Woke up today feeling better, had my first PT session. We took it easy and things were going good... Until they weren&#39;t! Nearly passed out in the transition between working on straight vs. working on bent. Kind of wrecked me for the rest of the day, but now I feel pretty decent.

Seems many have the same story: 10 to 14 miserable days followed by a eureka moment. Yesterday things were pretty dark, but at this moment I can see a flicker of light. But it&#39;s also only been three days!

I have the Stryker, and I could not be more pleased with it (five years later).
So much that I enquired what it would take to start a career repping them…the really great sales dudes have very strong backgrounds in physiology, Orthopedic Nurse Assistants, PT doctorates, etc.
Way out of my league!

Day 19 update: Probably 90% weight bearing, can hobble along without aids but single crutch promotes decent form. PT on Friday got me to 15° extension and 90° flexion, but it wiped me out and I was asleep on the couch 3hrs later. Pain is low, but steady. Hamstring is as tight as a guitar string, I scheduled a massage for Monday to move the fluids and try to open up the leg muscles. Pretty amazing improvement overall from week 2 on. Still a long ways to go, but definitely a big corner has been turned.


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Way to go, Iowa! Keep plugging away.

Nice Griz, onward!

I fondled Stryker bits today, I’d post pics but…


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Yeah. I would post some incision pics, but...

Any significant differences? What did you think about the weight? Lighter or heavier than expected? Do you know what you will get?

This is a roller-coaster. Woke up feeling awful. Went to my son&#39;s baseball game, felt amazing being outside in the nice weather. Came home, exhausted. Now my fever is back. Up and down.

I’d say heavier than expected, I’m not a gram counter with my gear in general but in this instance I’d notice weight more than a bike hub. There was another brand that felt like a tank so no way I’d get that one. I got to the gig a little late and the reps were on a break so didn’t get to talk to anyone.

My surgeon didn’t make it so nothing gained there in terms of what he uses or his take on the pre CT scan


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I'm Stryker, but I'd go with whatever the Surgeon is most comfortable with. I don't think weight would be a consideration at all.

I'm a huge fan of aquatic therapy. I'm in the pool, as soon as my incision heals.

With my 2 ACL reconstructions did a shit ton of work in the pool. From walking 5 minutes to pool running 45 mins. I credit the pool for playing ultimate 6 months after ACL recon. Ok, the gym 7 days a week didn't hurt either. But yeah, the pool - I'll be there ASAP after TKR.

Day 25 update - PT was yesterday, and while I was sure I had made progress, it didn't show up on the table measurements. I could hear the concern in the voice of my PT for the lack of getting past 90? (and progress in general). She gave me more exercises to try, so I'll have to really buckle down this week and hit them hard. While I feel like I've made progress, and I can walk with a cane decently and without aids ok, it's not fast enough for me.

Depressing is the word of the day. But, I'm usually optimistic, so I'll keep plugging away.

I'm not sure I ever got back to 90.
But I'm skiing everyday, with the best skiers in town.

Everyone's recovery will be different. Make the best of it.

Hope things get moving for you Griz, we need to have a meet up of TKR mags next winter. On skis of course

IMVHO, if you're a month out and can't get past 90* you need to talk to your surgeon about a manipulation.

I have a feeling that is coming

Today is two weeks. Been a heck of a ride. The first week was brutal. I would feel great one minute, awful the next. I was prepared for pain, but not prepared for: mild fever, intense exhaustion, crazy sleep schedule, headaches, back pain, etc. My ACL reconstruction was easier in some ways, more difficult in others.

Stopped the Oxy at Day 7. Since then, I have taken some Vicodin here and there, mainly in the evening. I feel pretty good during the day, and PT has been rewarding, but I pay for a good workout come the evening. I am at 0 degrees extension (was there fairly early) and 80 degrees flexion. Doc wanted me to take the flexion part really slow, however, and I am taking his advice and have not even tried pushing it. I am walking around without a cane pretty good, started going up the stairs the proper way (using the railing, of course).

I think there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I feel like there is still a lot of swelling, but my therapist says I am doing better much better than most. I go back to see the doc next week, so we will see what he has to say.

6 weeks yesterday. Progess is very slow. Made some decent strides in the past 3 weeks, got to 8° extension and maybe 95° flexion. But those are obviously still behind goals. I can make some standing pedal strokes on the bike, but sitting still produces a scream. The progress seemed to come when I added a professional massage each week. They worked on swelling reduction and hamstring tightness.

I saw the surgeon two days ago, he discussed that while I’m behind, he wasn’t concerned yet. I pushed him on my desire to not wait much longer. The plan is to add dry needling and if no real progress in 2-3 weeks, then we schedule the manual manipulation under anesthesia. I’d rather not make minor progress all summer and just get on with it.

Dry needling….what a good experience. $60 out of pocket as insurance won’t likely cover it. We measured my legs without warmup. 10° and 90°, then she placed one needle in a knot in my hamstring that is slightly larger than a golf ball. Six more around other parts of the hamstring. 5min later we are done and the measurements jumped to 6° and 100°. I’m hoping to add that weekly over the next few weeks.

Overall, I’m still mostly positive. We have a plan and with warmer weather coming, I can finally get out for good walks. On the very positive side, I won the local MTB club raffle for a bike. Any “Expert” level trim build from Specialized. Since I bought a new full susp last winter, I’m going to get a fancy gravel bike that will be perfect for rehab. The new Diverge STR.

I hope others are progressing well.


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Everyone’s journey is gonna be their own. Had my online class yesterday, appt w surgeon next week, shop date is May twenty eight.

How was your range of motion going into it? Mine mostly blows but if the swelling is down I can spin comfortably, been swollen since last week so no spinning this week.

Congrats on the win!


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Iowa, sorry to hear it is a bit slower than you want. Stay positive and just try to move forward a little bit each and every day. My PT does dry needling, and while we have not done it yet for this recovery period, I have had good success with it in the past.

My recovery has been going well. I saw the doc last Wednesday (at three weeks) and he was very happy with my progress. Took some x-rays, and everything was spot-on. Crazy... both of my legs are now straight! I am definitely going to need some new insoles made for my boots next winter. I was at 0 and 105, but he wanted me to be even straighter. So I have been working on that. Prone hangs... fun.

He gave me the ok to start riding the bike, and we gave it a go at PT last Friday. My therapist told me just to rock, but within two minutes I was all the way around. Started on my bike trainer here at home on Saturday, and immediately knocked out 25 minutes @ 100W. Did the same on Sunday, and yesterday got it out to 35 minutes @ 100W. I will keep ramping up time and watts slowly. My flexion has definitely increased because of the bike, and I think it is the best therapy.

I pay for what I do during the day at night, of course, and last night I was tossing and turning. My knee just ached terribly. Some Tylenol quieted it down, which was good. Still using the ice machine regularly, but nowhere near as often as before.

Thanks guys - Ticketchecker, I agree on the individual journey comment. I don't like my journey, but wishing differently doesn't help.Iron, I'm working to get that full pedal stroke. I'm so close...and I believe (as you are experiencing), if I can get full strokes on the trainer that the ROM will increase quickly.