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 UA-cam 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.
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.
You're a STRONG Determined person who is doing all you can to recover and be so much Better!! 😊🙏👍💯🎉🎉💕 Question: How did you find WHERE , HOW & WHAT type of footwear that was the BEST for you?? I need all new footwear too and have no idea how to go about it. Thank you 😃
Thank you, that is kind. ❤ I heard about ON from 3 siblings, they swear by this brand. I went to REI, tried a pair on, and was sold! I tried on leading competitors and ON was the nicest fit for my feet by far.
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'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!
Hey, thanks for your knowledge. I have had the following done… In the patellofemoral joint, he had grade 2 wear of the patella with a prominent inferior osteophyte which was removed with a burr. In the trochlea there was an extensive area of approximately 3 x 3 cm of full thickness chondral loss centrally with loose chondral flaps. These were debrided to a stable rim and the radiofrequency probe was used to bevel the edge to prevent further delamination. In the medial compartment, there was grade 2 wear of most of the medial femoral condyle with a small area medially of grade 4 wear. There was a prominent medial osteophyte which was removed with a burr. The medial meniscus was intact and there was only grade 2 wear of the medial tibial plateau. The ACL was intact. In the lateral compartment, there was also an extensive area of grade 3 wear to the lateral femoral condyle including a further area of unstable delamination which was debrided with a chondrotome and then the radiofrequency probe was used to bevel the edge. The lateral meniscus was intact and the lateral tibial plateau was also intact. And it not only didn’t work but it has made it worse to where I can barely walk. I then seen my surgeon again and he said the following… Ryan is now seven weeks after his left knee arthroscopy. As described at his surgery the articular damage was a fair bit worse than expected, particularly in the lateral femoral condyle where there was a very large loose chondral flap on the weight bearing dome. There was also advanced wear in the trochlea and to a lesser degree in the medial compartment. Unfortunately, Ryan has really struggled to recover. He is still on two crutches walking with significant antalgia and finding it very difficult to move his knee. He is still getting sharp pain as well as swelling by the end of the day and has been unable to return to work in any capacity thus far. There are no signs of infection. His range today was 0 to 90 degrees with discomfort. I have given him a corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injection. He will continue to take paracetamol as well as Mobic. I think it is going to take at least another four weeks for him to get back to suitable duties and unfortunately if things do not improve I do not see any alternative than proceeding with a knee replacement to fix his problem definitively. Prior to proceeding with this given he is at such a young age, I think it would be very reasonable to get a second opinion from another surgeon but we should see how he has responded to the cortisone injection in a month's time. Where do I go from here? Do I need a Knee replacement???
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.
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!
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.
Yes your quads and mostly ur glutes/ butt muscles. Especially if u are getting a minimally invasive quad sparing knee replacement. This means they don’t cut into ur quad muscle . Instead they just flip or fold it over to finish the surgery and then just put it back in place . A lot less pain this way.
@@lillyanna2550 thanks for the reply! Yeah I may have had that surgery as I was lucky and didn't have much pain post surgery. Relatively easy as far as pain goes.
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.
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.
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!! 😢
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 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!
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?💡
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.
Cartilage breaks down in the knee and either floats around in the knee or completely disappears. If the cartilage is gone, you are left with bone on bone. That is very painful.
@@dr.samanthasmithThat's more than what my doctor told me. He just shook his head and said he doesn't know what happens to it. And yes, it is pretty painful.
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.
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.
@@dr.samanthasmith Thank you for the link I have read it and will most definitely give it a try. Man I wish the Physical Therapist I had were like you I think the two I had were Sadist or something lol.
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?
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!!
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 UA-cam 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.
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.
You're a STRONG Determined person who is doing all you can to recover and be so much Better!! 😊🙏👍💯🎉🎉💕
Question: How did you find WHERE , HOW & WHAT type of footwear that was the BEST for you?? I need all new footwear too and have no idea how to go about it. Thank you 😃
Thank you, that is kind. ❤ I heard about ON from 3 siblings, they swear by this brand. I went to REI, tried a pair on, and was sold! I tried on leading competitors and ON was the nicest fit for my feet by far.
So right on about the sleep… my concentration to keep my knee straight is my bugaboo during the night
@@conniepayne6318 I get it. Completely.
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.
This is brilliant!!! Thank you. You have such a calming demeanor.
Wow, thank you!
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!
Best wishes your full recovery!
Hey, thanks for your knowledge.
I have had the following done…
In the patellofemoral joint, he had grade 2 wear of the patella with a prominent inferior osteophyte which was removed with a burr. In the trochlea there was an extensive area of approximately 3 x 3 cm of full thickness chondral loss centrally with loose chondral flaps. These were debrided to a stable rim and the radiofrequency probe was used to bevel the edge to prevent further delamination.
In the medial compartment, there was grade 2 wear of most of the medial femoral condyle with a small area medially of grade 4 wear.
There was a prominent medial osteophyte which was removed with a
burr. The medial meniscus was intact and there was only grade 2 wear of the medial tibial plateau.
The ACL was intact.
In the lateral compartment, there was also an extensive area of grade 3 wear to the lateral femoral condyle including a further area of unstable delamination which was debrided with a chondrotome and then the radiofrequency probe was used to bevel the edge. The lateral meniscus was intact and the lateral tibial plateau was also intact.
And it not only didn’t work but it has made it worse to where I can barely walk.
I then seen my surgeon again and he said the following…
Ryan is now seven weeks after his left knee arthroscopy. As described at his surgery the articular damage was a fair bit worse than expected, particularly in the lateral femoral condyle where there was a very large loose chondral flap on the weight bearing dome. There was also advanced wear in the trochlea and to a lesser degree in the medial compartment.
Unfortunately, Ryan has really struggled to recover. He is still on two crutches walking with significant antalgia and finding it very difficult to move his knee. He is still getting sharp pain as well as swelling by the end of the day and has been unable to return to work in any capacity thus far.
There are no signs of infection. His range today was 0 to 90 degrees with discomfort. I have given him a corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injection. He will continue to take paracetamol as well as Mobic. I think it is going to take at least another four weeks for him to get back to suitable duties and unfortunately if things do not improve I do not see any alternative than proceeding with a knee replacement to fix his problem definitively.
Prior to proceeding with this given he is at such a young age, I think it would be very reasonable to get a second opinion from another surgeon but we should see how he has responded to the cortisone injection in a month's time.
Where do I go from here? Do I need a Knee replacement???
Thank you for this great collection of courses and PDF's. SO HELPFUL!!
I am preparing for this Sx and thankful for you!
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.
I wish I had known of the risk of blood clots and how it could impact physio/recovery.
Me too. Almost 8 months out and both legs swollen with surgery leg being the worst.
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 wish I knew postop PT was going to be so expensive
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.
Exercise your freaking quads lol. I wish my doctor would've told me that.
@teleman01 do you mean prior to the surgery?
@@ronaldbeasley4945 yes before the surgery.
Yes your quads and mostly ur glutes/ butt muscles. Especially if u are getting a minimally invasive quad sparing knee replacement. This means they don’t cut into ur quad muscle . Instead they just flip or fold it over to finish the surgery and then just put it back in place . A lot less pain this way.
@@lillyanna2550 thanks for the reply! Yeah I may have had that surgery as I was lucky and didn't have much pain post surgery. Relatively easy as far as pain goes.
Thanx for info going in for knee replacement in three weeks you and my pt are in same page
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.
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.
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 💪
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 😢
Thanks!
Thx another great video.
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!! 😢
How long can you expect to be out of work
I have my surgery 16 months ago and I still have Numbness in the whole knee area.
Here’s an article about that: www.succeedcourses.com/blog/what-helps-nerve-pain-after-knee-replacement
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.
Is knee replacement better with or without cement.
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!
Here’s the group! Https://facebook.com/groups/3278770492360139/?ref=share
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?💡
Where do I pay to get your website? You are great! I am 5 months pregnant surgery
Hi! Website is here: www.succeedcourses.com
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
My pain behind my knee is worse after surgery PT going great except extensions
What’s the biggest obstacle? I’m getting Iovera shots for pain 3 weeks before my surgery, since I cannot take OxyContin
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.
Cartilage breaks down in the knee and either floats around in the knee or completely disappears. If the cartilage is gone, you are left with bone on bone. That is very painful.
@@dr.samanthasmithThat's more than what my doctor told me. He just shook his head and said he doesn't know what happens to it. And yes, it is pretty painful.
Hi Samantha I been working my quads and also had a MUA and I’m still not able to bend my knee
Hi
Dr. Sam, can a surgeon require you to take PT at their PT facility?
Technically that is not allowed. The patient has the right to choose any facility they want.
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.
I have payment plans for all my courses. Available at Check out. The Facebook group is free: facebook.com/groups/3278770492360139/?ref=share
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.
www.succeedcourses.com/blog/Kneeling-after-knee-replacement you can kneel! Just takes time
@@dr.samanthasmith Thank you for the link I have read it and will most definitely give it a try. Man I wish the Physical Therapist I had were like you I think the two I had were Sadist or something lol.
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 would at the minimum do stretches in bed.
Why has my back been hurting so bad.
I am having TKR Jan 2025, I cycle 100 miles + a week at speed is that enough exercise pre opp
Why do you even need TKR if your knee is good enough to do that much cycling.
@@lexxzus because I broke my patella in 5 pieces 15 years ago ,I cant walk more than a 100 yard with out it hurting my knee. its is toast.
I am only a week in and the rehab is already dark.....
Oh no! It definitely doesn’t have to be! My patients do really well and enjoy PT.
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!!
Me too!
is 83 to old for knee surgery???
Depends on your medical history