TKR My First TKR is October 19

[njadh51]

Mine upcoming on Oct.19th. My first major operation so lots of surgery and post-op anxieties. Finding this forum is helping a lot!

 

[benne68]

Welcome to Insiders, @njadh51 ! Glad you've joined so we can share some tips to help you prepare for your upcoming surgery.


Knee Pre-Op Guide
(Note to Basic Members: The links below are a premium service available only to Insiders Club Members. To learn about membership, click here ).

Since you are only a week away from surgery, here is some information that will help you be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
The BoneSmart Recovery Store offers many of our recommended products
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?
Pre-surgery Dietary Tips and Nutrition Basics (because proper nutrition is important for recovery).

The website and app My Knee Guide can help you stay organized and informed. The free service keeps all the information pertaining to your surgery and recovery in one place on your smartphone. It is intended to be a personal support tool for the entire process.

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing knee recoveries

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. So feel free to ask any questions you have about this surgery and recovery; our members will be happy to share their experiences with you and our staff is here to help.

 

[benne68]

One more article I encourage you to read:

Thread 'Major Study of TKR Patients Finds a "Quiet" Approach Is Better Than Aggressive Physical Therapy During Early Recovery'

Aug 13, 2026

A study involving more than 15,000 knee replacement patients at the Hospital

for Special Surgery (HSS) found that aggressive physical therapy during the early days of TKR recovery is counterproductive to recovery. Patients following a “Quiet Knee” protocol do better not only during early recovery, but also in the long term.

HSS, the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, shared the results of the study at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) annual meeting in October 2025. The study's authors believe it will...

• benne68
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Knee Surgery Recovery Area

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[Jockette]

Welcome to Bonesmart, and the Insiders Club!

Please especially read about the Quiet Knee protocol that Hospital for Special Surgery has adopted, that @benne68 posted for you above. It will make a world of difference in your recovery compared to the standard PT most of us get.

Finding this forum is helping a lot!

Hang out here with us, Bonesmart has a wealth of advice, information and support.
We will offer helpful suggestions,

Cheer your accomplishments

And send hugs when you are feeling down.

Best wishes!

 

[njadh51]

Thank you all for the warm welcome! My mindset wavers as the big date approaches. But the choice is between temporary, possibly intense healing pain that in a few months will open up a world I've been held back from for years. Or the pain of degenerating knees that will never get better, only worse and living a sedentary, reclusive life for the rest of my life. I'm taking the first choice!

 

[benne68]

That's exactly the right way to think about it, @njadh51! Recovery pain diminishes with time and eventually disappears so you can get back to the things you enjoy.

I've had both knees replaced (2021 and 2023) and can confirm that life is good on the other side!

 

[Jamie]

That temporary pain from surgery is what we call “healing pain.” You’ll find it’s different from the joint pain you’re experiencing now. Our amazing body knows the difference and sends different pain signals from surgical pain. You’ll hurt, but you may not feel the pain as agonizing like you do now. Try not to worry. We’ll be here to guide you through every step of your post-op experience.

 

[Layla]

Welcome to BoneSmart and thanks for joining us! We're glad you're here. Happy Thanksgiving!

Your choice is a wise one, it will improve your quality of life. Only one more week to go and you will be on Recovery Rd and on your way back to all that you love...without the pain you're struggling with now.

We'll be here for support and encouragement when you're in need. We'll offer tips and advice through our own experiences. Try not to let worries about how you may feel post op steal your peace. You'll likely find out that you're stronger and better able to handle all, more than you're imagining right now. Try to take it one day at a time and we'll be with you every step of the way that you'll have us. Promise!
Wishing you lots of comfort as you await the 19th.
@njadh51

 

[eaglemom]

I'm so glad that you've joined us. We are here to help you along the way, answer your questions and just listen if that's what you need to do. Take a couple of deep breaths and we'll be here.