knee replacement recovery

If you’re facing knee replacement surgery, chances are you’ve already said the words: I’m terrified. I’m petrified. I’m scared out of my mind. Those are heavy words. And they’re real. The truth is, most of that fear comes down to one thing — the unknown.Nobody really prepares you for the mental and emotional side of this surgery. Your surgeon will tell you what the procedure involves. Your physical therapist will walk you through exercises. But who sits you down and says, “Hey, let’s talk about the fear you’re carrying”? That part usually gets skipped, and it’s exactly what most of us need the most.

It’s easy to think of want as something shallow — like, “Sure, I want a good outcome, but that’s not up to me.”But actually... it is.Desire is what gives your want meaning.Desire turns “I hope I get better” into “I will do whatever it takes to recover fully.”And that’s exactly what I did.

My brain didn’t hesitate: Is my implant coming loose? Did something go wrong?Even though I’m nearly three years post-op on that knee, I still went straight to the worst-case scenario. Because that’s what we do. Something unexpected happens, and we assume it’s the implant. It’s the last big thing we did, so our minds grab onto it.

You want to stay positive. You want to trust the process. But some days, the stillness gets loud.Surrender sounds nice — until you’re forced into it. Until everything feels slow and uncertain and you’re left asking God why this is taking so long.But somewhere in the middle of the waiting, something deeper starts to settle. That maybe you’re not doing this alone… 

You are literally repairing your body for the future. You are exactly where you should be today. You are not behind, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you.I know it’s hard, especially during the holidays when everyone seems to be out at BBQs, fireworks shows, and get-togethers. But I want to remind you—this is the season to be the most mindful.

There’s a part of knee replacement recovery that nobody really talks about enough — and it’s what I call the Groundhog Day Effect.(Yes, like the old Bill Murray movie where he’s trapped in the same small town, waking up to the same song, eating at the same diner, stuck in the same loop over and over.)Here’s what it looks like in real life:You go to physical therapy.They add one new exercise to your routine — just one — and somehow, it’s the one that feels like it completely takes your knee out.

Knee replacement recovery isn’t just about physical healing (actually far from) — it’s also an intense mental and emotional journey. If you’ve ever felt frustrated during your recovery, you’re not alone. But what if I told you that frustration isn’t your enemy — it’s actually a sign that you’re learning?Dr. Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist, recently shared a powerful insight about resilience. She explained that the emotion most associated with the "learning space" — the gap between what we know and what we're figuring out — is frustration. And let’s be honest, few things throw you into the deep end of the learning space 

If you’ve had a knee replacement, you know the struggle is real when it comes to leg tightness. That stiff, cranky feeling? It’s not just in your head. I see so many people mention calf pain and IT band tightness after surgery, and let me tell you—I was right there with you.My secret weapon? A massage gun.But before you start going to town on your leg like a jackhammer, let’s talk about how to use it the right way. Done correctly, it can be a game-changer for tight muscles. Done wrong?

If you've recently had knee replacement surgery (or are preparing for one), there’s one important piece of advice you may not hear often: your body needs 400 extra calories a day post-op! When my physical therapist told me this, I was honestly surprised—but it makes perfect sense. During recovery, your body works hard...

I’ll be honest, keeping up with my water intake isn’t always easy. We all know it’s crucial, especially when you're recovering from surgery, particularly knee replacement or just trying to feel your best. Hydration helps with recovery, reduces inflammation, and keeps your energy levels up, (You can read my blog about hydration post knee replacement HERE). But drinking enough water doesn’t have to be boring or feel like a chore. I’ve discovered some unique and fun ways to stay on top of hydration—and I’d love for you to try them out!