Recovery

Not All Physical Therapy Is Equal After Knee Replacement

I had a distinct advantage going through my second knee replacement that I didn’t have with my first. And it had everything to do with my physical therapist.

First, let me begin by saying that for my first knee replacement, I left physical therapy up to chance. I actually fared quite well because my physical therapist was very informative. What I didn’t know at the time was that physical therapists are trained at the same level as medical doctors. The main difference is that they don’t go through a medical residency, but their training is extensive.

When I had questions, I asked him. And he explained things in the level of detail I needed to understand. That turned out to be a Godsend.

So, for knee number two, I did it the exact same way. I went to the same physical therapy clinic because I already knew it. However, my original physical therapist was no longer there, so I worked with whoever was available. It was still a very nice clinic, and the people were friendly.

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Knee Replacement Range of Motion: What to Do When You Feel Stuck in Your Bend

I was talking to a client today, and she asked how long it took me to get to 120 degrees after my knee replacement. She’s sitting at 115 right now, feeling like she hit a wall, and I could hear that mix of frustration and fear in her voice.

It reminded me exactly what this part of recovery feels like.

So, I told her the same thing I want you to hear:

You’re not stuck.

You’re in a phase. I call it the learning phase.

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Gentle Movement for Knee Recovery: What You Can Do Between PT Sessions

I am not kidding you when I say movement helps with swelling, improves circulation and keeps your muscles from tightening up.  I know that sounds exactly like something. Your physical therapist would say, but after three joint replacements, I found this to be true. When you’re between one to two months post-op, these small, simple actions can make a big difference. Remember: this is about progress, 
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Overdoing It After Knee Replacement? Here’s How to Stop the Guilt Spiral

Have you ever felt amazing one day after PT… and then totally paid for it the next?

Yeah, me too.

It’s like you finally start to feel like yourself again—you get up, do a few loads of laundry, run some errands, maybe even make dinner—and then bam. The next day your knee’s angry, your body’s wiped out, and you’re sitting there wondering what you did wrong.

Here’s the truth: you didn’t mess up. You’re healing.

And those moments that make you stop? They’re not punishments. They’re pivots.
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Hey there, friend—Welcome to the blog!

I’m Suzie Andrade, your Knee Replacement BFF, and I’m so glad you made it here 🤍

This space? It’s your go-to corner of the internet for real talk, practical tools, and a whole lotta heart when it comes to knee replacement. I’ll walk you through the prep, the post-op, the “is-this-normal?” 🙈 moments—and everything in between—with faith, mindset, and a sprinkle of natural wellness.

You’ll find tips for healing your whole body (and spirit), navigating surgery like a boss, and living fully—even if you’re icing your knee while doing it.
Whether you're just starting to explore surgery or deep in the recovery trenches, you're not alone. We're in this together—let’s get the YET.

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AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER:
I’m a proud affiliate for some of these tools and products that are suggested on this page and throughout my website. Meaning if you click on a product and make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are based on knowledge and experience and I recommend them because they are genuinely useful and helpful, not because of the small commission that I may receive.

Meet Suzie Andrade

 
I was 41 when I was told I needed a knee replacement.
And that my other knee would likely follow.

That sentence alone changed how I moved through the world.

I stopped playing softball.
I stopped walking just to "walk".
I avoided stairs. Curbs. Parking far away for extra steps.
Even the small, normal things started to feel like obstacles.

One day, I was on the beach, walking through the sand and muttering under my breath with every painful step. I wanted to walk down to the water, but it felt too far. That was the day I drew a very real line in the sand and decided I couldn’t keep living this way.

I had my left knee replaced at 45, my right hip at 46 and my right knee at 48.

What I didn’t know then was that pain would shape my purpose.

Each surgery taught me more than how to heal a body. It taught me resilience, patience and how much faith we carry when we’re forced to slow down and keep going. It also showed me this: there are real gaps in the knee replacement "adventure".

Doctors and physical therapists do important work, but they don’t talk about everything — the fear, the frustration, the days when healing feels invisible. Not because they don’t care. Because they haven’t lived it. I have.

That’s why I created the Yetter Getter Mindset and why I show up as your Holistic Knee Replacement Coach — to fill in the spaces that get skipped so recovery feels doable, supported and human.

Welcome to my digital home.

A place for real guidance, real support and forward movement.






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