Things You Should Know & Expectations Prior To Knee Replacement Surgery: Real Patient Testimonials 

Exercise your freaking quads lol. I wish my doctor would've told me that.

Thank you, great video. One of the things I wasn't prepared for was the nearly 4 months of super crappy sleep I experienced every single night. I felt so exhausted, emotional, and just out of it. Though I did a lot of research prior to my TKR, there are so many things I was completely unaware of. My gait is different now, I'm still adjusting to how I walk, it's an odd thing. I do your series, Dr. Samantha Smith, (and I purchased your online full class series) of stretches in bed every morning, it makes ALL the difference. Yes, this affects your feet, ankles, hips and back. I had to buy orthotics, ON athletic shoes, and get rid of nearly all my other shoes. Thank you for all you do to help us thrive after this surgery.

Be prepared in case your knee replacement goes wrong. This is what nobody wants to face but it happens. Ask questions! Ask questions! I have a failed TKR. Just retired and my life was turned upside down. Try as much as you can to avoid the surgery if you can!! 😢

You were a lifesaver for me post surgery. If I do my other knee I will be purchasing your plans. Best info out there for sure. It was one year before my numbness disappeared and nerves woke up big improvement. Thank you for your dedication.

I wish I knew postop PT was going to be so expensive

Iam sue for knee replacement on 23rd July iam so both nervous and scared to the point Iam actually not sure I can go through it

I'm GRATEFUL for Dr Samantha!! I bought the Activewear Knee Wrap & extra set of TWO HOUR 2 hr icewraps, that LAST Over TWO Hours!! etc...and joined the FB SUPPORT GROUP !! I love ALL of the Information I get!! Great Group of people!!😊 I was desperate for the TKRS because of severe daily Pain in my knee AND tbe damage my lopsided gait was inflicting on my whole body!! Yet, I actually didn't realize - TKRS is MAJOR Surgery!! I'm 5 weeks tomorrow, and doing well with my knee. My biggest handicap is terrible lower back pain, hip weakness and pelvis nerve issues. These make my P.T. difficult. Very difficult but I'm getting along. Almost 100+ rom now. Surgeon said if I got 65 rom he'd be surprised!! My knee was THAT deteriorated. So much daily Pain last 20 yrs. Well, I'm working thru pain to get 100+ by 3.4.24 when I see my Surgeon again!! 😁👍💯🎉SURPRISE Doctor!

Dr. Samantha saved my knee too, after two weeks from my total knee replacement surgery (January 2024), I was struggling to achieve my knee bending goals. I did not get much help from the provider’s physiotherapy team as they were suggesting that I may have to end up doing MUA, I was extremely frustrated with the pain and swelling, because I was doing too much too soon with them. Fortunately, I happened to notice one of Dr. Samantha’s RU-vid videos like this one and thankfully I consulted her and started following her videos and obtained her 3 weeks knee bending course and followed them. Thanks to Dr. Samantha’s constant encouragements. Yesterday two months since the surgery, I managed to bend my knee up to 121 degrees. My surgeon who operated my knee was really impressed with my achievements knowing that I struggled a lot at the beginning. I just wrote this review hoping that anyone who is in the same situation like myself before be able to find a good relief following Dr. Samantha’s video courses. I highly recommend them to anyone who has done a total knee replacement surgery to achieve their knee bending goals.

This is brilliant!!! Thank you. You have such a calming demeanor.

I wish I had known of the risk of blood clots and how it could impact physio/recovery.

I wish I had known that I would struggle with the uncomfortable tight knee, now at five months Hate it and wonder if it will ever go away 😢

I have my surgery 16 months ago and I still have Numbness in the whole knee area.

Sounds as though not too many doctors talk with their patients about this. I asked my surgeon a few questions and he couldn't answer anything. I asked where the cartilage went. No answer. I asked why have a knee replacement when it's the cartilage that has disappeared. Nothing. I'm not sure I will be able to recover from something like this. I am obese, somewhere between 350-400 lbs, and my whole body feels stiff most of the time. I find it difficult to exercise because I also take meds that help me sleep. Sleep apnea, which I have a CPAP machine for, that doesn't help... I never have any energy. I'm thinking about simply not doing this. I don't think I have the discipline to proceed.

Hello! My name is Lisa I am a 53 year old female I weigh 211 lbs, I went to an orthopedic surgeon he said I need two total knee replacements. I am thinking November, December he will do the right one. I have to say after reading all these comments I am horrified! I have no choice but to do the surgery I am in end stages of osteoarthritis! These comments are scaring me half to death!!

Wish I had known more. I knew it was going to be tough. I was a very active person before and now all the recovery is wearing on me. I keep reminding myself that I improve every couple weeks. Mentally this has been hard.

What’s the biggest obstacle? I’m getting Iovera shots for pain 3 weeks before my surgery, since I cannot take OxyContin

Great video! I really wish the surgeons did a better job of preparing us before the surgery. I am now almost 6 months post-up from my left TKR and my other leg is still bowed and my surgical leg is straight, so I’m not really even able to walk all that well right now, even with a cane. It’s a very major surgery and it really takes a toll mentally as well. Still trying to work through some depression from the long and frustratingly slow recovery. I know it’ll be better eventually, but in the day to day it’s easy to get discouraged. Hoping the waking will come easier after the next one and both legs are straight!

I am preparing for this Sx and thankful for you!

Had one done in 2019 very successful second done 2023 /4 mo ago Do Your Exercises! Knee replacement is not a walk in the park but it will get better! Like she said your walk is totally different right now I feel like a penguin walking I was so knock kneed before now straight legs so walking is a bit different.

Hi Samantha I been working my quads and also had a MUA and I’m still not able to bend my knee

I didn't catch the entire name on your FB support group? I'm scheduled for a knee replacement in 2 months and want to be ready! Thanks for your guidance and info!

Why has my back been hurting so bad.

Not that it matters because I would have had the knee replacements anyway but I wish I would have known that I wouldn't be able to kneel or crawl afterwards.

Hi

Thanks Dr Sam. I just had my sx done and my PT is great. I will check out ur site too. I'm doing well too. My Dr agrees as well only issue is that I cannot lift the front of my foot in a tapping mode. He keeps checking on me and I keep trying but still not happening. Any ideas?💡

Here’s another tip, if you are prone to infections maybe from a weak immune system or a condition, then be sure to get in antibiotics as infection will travel to the weakest spot which is a knee replacement. I had mine done after 3 other knee surgeries over the years and when nothing else could be done, and I was nearing 50 , that’s when I had it done. I suffered 38 years with horrible pain. Dec/24 will be 7 years and anything I have done at the dentist, they send 4 antibiotics to take 1 hour before my appointment. I had one scare and that wasn’t fun! But the TKR was a blessing for me. ❤ I just wish I could ride my new bike in the summer, but I can’t get my knee around the too fast enough.

I had surgery april/2023.i knew recovery would be a job in it self.i did prehab and diet.the doctor told me to take off the brace a month before.i worked on my feet up to the day before.i slept well for a month then had trouble.the numbness was not expected.

This is Such a Spot on video about the long recovery time and how this surgery can weigh on you mentally. This is honestly the best video I’ve watched on TNR that I think people should watch. And trust me I’ve seen a lot of them especially in my early recovery. I was anticipating I’d have the surgery and be back to work in 2 weeks. It was a month and it was a struggle and it still is a challenge even at just under 4 months. I’m moving around and doing a lot of walking but the knee is still weak and sore at times. But I realize I’m getting a little better every day. It involves a lot of pain especially early on but that as well is getting better every day. Both of my parents had their knees replaced but I don’t remember it being such an ordeal. They had their surgery done at Mayo so I might be going there if I have my right knee done next time. Bottom line a TKR is a lot more intense and painful than I ever imagined but a necessity when I think how bad my knee was before the surgery.

I've been pushing down on my knee to straightening it. I place thick fone and a light weight on my knee and push down and it's working 💪

My pain behind my knee is worse after surgery PT going great except extensions

Thanx for info going in for knee replacement in three weeks you and my pt are in same page

I had TKR on 1/29/2024. I did 4 weeks of therapy then became ill with severe sweats and chills. I have had CBC bloodwork panel that was normal. My PCP today ran additional tests plus urinalysis. I should get results in next 4 days but I cannot exercise at home due to feeling so bad. What do I do now?

I wish I could afford your pre surgery course. I don't know if I'm having a full replacement or partial, yet. Won't know until after surgery. Does your Facebook group cost to join as well? I don't have a computer with that kind of data available on it, believe it or not.... I would love to try to find it though.

Dr. Sam, can a surgeon require you to take PT at their PT facility?

Thanks!

Thx another great video.

I am only a week in and the rehab is already dark.....

is 83 to old for knee surgery???