Stories - How my life changed after knee replacement:

The thing that helped me the most post op at home was doing my exercises at the same time every day and night. Then when doing the bending my first set I would mark how far I went then my next sets were wanting to move further back. After about a week my wife had me go with her to get some groceries, I was not needed but she kept me on my feet and building my confidence with my new knee. I would not walk fast but it was keeping my knee working and in turn making other parts of my recovery easier.

Just under 3 weeks post op I had my first physical therapy appointment, I was nervous about what to expect. We did some more bending and stretching and rubbing the knee area. The most difficult exercise was doing the bike. You try to get the full rotation but the stiffness want let you. The more you move your leg forward and backward the more you can almost get the rotation going. Then when you finally get the peddles moving you realize that yes there is some pain, but the more you stretch and move your knee the better it feels.

My advice is after the surgery start doing the 3 exercises they have you do before surgery. Pump your feet, thigh squeezes, and tighten your whole upper legs. I was doing these as soon as I could after surgery, same day.