What’s interesting is I think the BoneSmart narrative, at its heart, doesn’t say “Don’t push yourself to achieve numerical criteria.” I think it says, “swelling is an indication that you are pushing yourself backward.”
I agree with most of what you said, above,
@Helizabug, but I don't think you've got this quite right.
We frequently tell people things like "Don't get pulled into your PT's obsession with numbers" and this:
There's no need to rush to get ROM (Range of Motion) because it can continue to improve for a year, or even much longer, after a knee replacement. There isn't any deadline you have to meet:
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
I've lost count of the number of times I've told people to stop pushing themselves at PT, in an effort to improve their ROM numbers, or to please their therapist or surgeon.
As for swelling - we tell people that it is swelling that restricts their knee's ability to bend or straighten further. We also advise that if they experience increased pain, stiffness, or swelling after doing exercises, either at the time or later, that is an indication that they have been doing more than their knee is ready for at that stage of recovery.
Increased swelling isn't an indication that you are pushing yourself backward. It's an indication that you are trying to do too much, too soon.
If you stop the over-activity, the swelling should decrease and no harm has been done, but if you persist in over-activity, you could set up a chronic condition that will, indeed, slow down your recovery.
I hope I've made all that a bit clearer for you.