I just found out I need a knee replacement

Morgan13 · July 30, 2026 3:52AM

Ill be honest, I'm pretty nervous. This will be the biggest surgery I have ever had and I here its painful.
With that said I am in serious pain now.
Im only 58 but I have worked construction for 40 years and my knee is bone on bone.
Anyone else go through this?

johnny9434 · July 30, 2026 5:17AM

My prayers go with you on this. Ive heard different stories as well. Having an ankle redone i can tell ya the discomfort is temporary and won't last forever. Im sure all will go well ✌️

Morgan13 · July 30, 2026 5:20AM

@johnny9434 said:
My prayers go with you on this. Ive heard different stories as well. Having an ankle redone i can tell ya the discomfort is temporary and won't last forever. Im sure all will go well ✌️

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
Im suffering now so I don't have much to lose.
Sometimes the pain is so intense I feel like passing out.

johnny9434 · July 30, 2026 5:22AM

@Morgan13 said:

@johnny9434 said:
My prayers go with you on this. Ive heard different stories as well. Having an ankle redone i can tell ya the discomfort is temporary and won't last forever. Im sure all will go well ✌️

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
Im suffering now so I don't have much to lose.
Sometimes the pain is so intense I feel like passing out.

You'll be fine 🙂

JBK · July 30, 2026 11:12AM

I've had family members who have gone through it. It will be far better than the pain you are living with now.

One bit of advice: do all of your required or recommended physical therapy and exercises. NO EXCUSES!!

That's where a lot of people go wrong with these things. Recovery may be prolonged or even jeopardized if you do not do what you are supposed to do.

Morgan13 · July 30, 2026 11:19AM

@JBK said:
I've had family members who have gone through it. It will be far better than the pain you are living with now.

One bit of advice: do all of your required or recommended physical therapy and exercises. NO EXCUSES!!

That's where a lot of people go wrong with these things. Recovery may be prolonged or even jeopardized if you do not do what you are supposed to do.

Fortunately I have good insurance. The PT will take place at my home for 14 days then 2 days a week at their facility. I will also do it on my own. I agree that PT is key.
I am not going to go through this for nothing.
Thank you for your response.

WildWestHalfDollars · July 30, 2026 12:07PM

It will not be a walk in the park I will not lie. There will be bad days but once all that passes you will grateful. Just imagine even 100 years ago you could have done nothing about it so I would say we are lucky these days.

My aunt got it done said it was painful but once that passed she like a new person and she was very happy she had it done. She was in her late 60's at the time.

AI

Pain management after a knee replacement relies on a multimodal approach combining acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and short-term opioids. Doctors use several medications together to control discomfort while reducing the need for strong narcotics.

AI

A total knee replacement is widely considered one of the more painful orthopedic surgeries, with the highest intensity occurring during the first few days and weeks. The discomfort is typically described as a deep, throbbing pressure and severe tightness from swelling rather than a sharp stab.Timeline of Pain Days 1 to 7: This is the most intense phase as the body responds to bone and tissue reconstruction. Nerve blocks and prescription medications are heavily relied upon during this week.Weeks 2 to 4: Pain remains significant but transitions into a dull, aching soreness and stiffness as movement and physical therapy begin.Months 2 to 3: Gradual improvement occurs for most people, though mild to moderate discomfort, aching during weather changes, or tightness with activity can linger.Managing the Pain Medications: Doctors typically prescribe a blend of narcotics, anti-inflammatories, and acetaminophen to control acute phases.Nerve Blocks: Local anesthetics or targeted nerve blocks are often used during and immediately after the operation to numb the area.Movement and Care: Ice, elevation, and gentle physical therapy prevent stiffness, which directly helps lower the pressure and throbbing inside the joint

JBK · July 30, 2026 12:52PM

I will add that people I know who have gotten it done wish they had done it sooner. None of them regretted having the procedure.

Morgan13 · July 30, 2026 1:02PM

@WildWestHalfDollars thanks for your response.
I can barely walk now as it is so pushing through the pain will be something worth doing.
I am having a different procedure than normal.
Only 90 doctors in the US perform this type of procedure. I cannot recall the name of it but it is less invasive
Hopefully that means less pain and a quicker recovery time.
I have done my research but I no longer watch YouTube videos or read the comments.
Some people really suffer while others don't.
I am not going to fill my head with unnecessary anxiety.
I will work with my doctors and proced with my own journey towards recovery.
As far as pain this is a breakthrough medication that works very well for 2/3 of the people it is administered to.

ShaunBC5 · July 30, 2026 1:23PM

I haven’t gone through it, yet, but know a ton of folks who have. The most common sentiment I hear is that they should have done it sooner. Good luck!

WildWestHalfDollars · July 30, 2026 2:38PM

Sometimes we must live threw pain to get better it sucks but like I said at least in 2026 there are options that were not even there 75 years ago. Pain meds are great these days. They will evaluate your pain I am sure of it and based on that give you what you need.

Morgan13 · July 30, 2026 2:40PM

I am 58 and its started to get bad 2 years ago. The doctor has to qualify you for surgery.
After many visits I now qualify so I have not waited to long.
I just want it over and done with.
I can't even drive without serious pain.

WildWestHalfDollars · July 30, 2026 2:42PM

Count yourself lucky in the USA (if you have insurance and or money) you get in fast here in Canada we have ''free'' healthcare but you can wait years or even die before you get the treatment. Free some think but like all things it is not free it is taxes. Most ER's here in Canada will make you wait days sometimes more it is INSANE!!! Every time I went to an ER it took a minimum of almost 12-24 hours to see a doctor but I was not dying either.

I am lucky to be in Canada since I am not rich but I know our health care system sucks for the most part (always has) while many think it is glorious (people from other countries).

Morgan13 · July 30, 2026 3:57PM

I never really paid attention to Canada's health care system. I was aware that it was as you put it "free" or universal.
Sounds like a broken system.
I had a cortisone shot last month. You need to wait 90 days after the shot.
Im scheduled for 10/22.
Id do it earlier but my son is getting married 10/10.

WildWestHalfDollars · July 31, 2026 1:31PM

@Morgan13 said:
I never really paid attention to Canada's health care system. I was aware that it was as you put it "free" or universal.
Sounds like a broken system.
I had a cortisone shot last month. You need to wait 90 days after the shot.
Im scheduled for 10/22.
Id do it earlier but my son is getting married 10/10.

It is not a system people should imagine to be perfect like many do outside of Canada. ''Free'' nothing is ''free'' someone is paying for it like all us tax payers. Better than nothing for sure but there needs to be many many changes to make it better and I doubt they will do that in my life time.

Good luck with all your medical situation!!!

Morgan13 · August 1, 2026 5:29AM

Thank you

ajaan · August 3, 2026 6:32AM

@Morgan13 said:
I am 58 and its started to get bad 2 years ago. The doctor has to qualify you for surgery.
After many visits I now qualify so I have not waited to long.
I just want it over and done with.
I can't even drive without serious pain.

Most likely it's the insurance company.

Morgan13 · August 3, 2026 12:39PM

@ajaan said:

@Morgan13 said:
I am 58 and its started to get bad 2 years ago. The doctor has to qualify you for surgery.
After many visits I now qualify so I have not waited to long.
I just want it over and done with.
I can't even drive without serious pain.

Most likely it's the insurance company.

No doubt your correct.
While now its going to be done 10/22.
Robotic assisted surgery.

ajaan · August 3, 2026 12:47PM

I need a dorsal root ganglia stimulator. The surgeon says I need it, my pain management MD says I need it, the insurance company . . . ? Still waiting.

Musky1011 · August 3, 2026 2:59PM

Had my right one done 4 years ago..
Will never have the other one done.. way too much pain

Musky1011 · August 3, 2026 3:06PM

My suggestion is… strengthen you quad muscles as much as possible before surgery…
You recovery will be so much quicker

I just found out I need a knee replacement

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