Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation: The Knee Owner's Manual

One of the best purchases I have ever made. Ten stars would not be enough. Got this four weeks after knee replacement, sure wish I had it before. It gave me way, way more information and help than I got from the surgeon, the hospital and therapist combined. Most importantly It is right on. Doesn't pull punches or gloss over things and underestimate the time frames of progress, it fits right in with the experience I've had and the experience of others that I've talked to. One reason is because one of the authors, a man with 25 years as a recovery therapist , had a bilateral replacement himself. It's great to give advice without personal experience but living it yourself and seeing the reality from the other side of the table is priceless. It describes the operation with illustrations, gives good pre-surgery exercises, lays out what to expect and prepare for. The recovery therapy is week by week, gives exercises that are very clearly explained and illustrated with good photographs for each one. (Has some 140 illustrations). It tells you why these exercises are necessary and what each one does for recovery. For the first time I felt that I really knew and understand what was going on. It's realistic about pain, effort and limits. To give you an idea of the tenor of the book the first week's chapter is sub titled "You want me to do what?" and the second chapter is subtitled, "Will I ever be normal again?" and believe me that's just what you're thinking at those points. It covers therapy at home, at a gym, with a stationary bicycle and in a pool. I haven't yet found any thing that it didn't cover including questions that I had that I couldn't seem to get a straight answer to from the other "experts". Recovery from knee replacement is a real bitch. Take it from one who has had a broken back, a shattered knee and numerous broken ribs, this has been worse. . This book Gives you the realistic over all picture, ties every thing together, makes your feel that you are in control and calms your anxieties. I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone that is considering TKR or anyone that has had it and is still going through recovery. It's one of the best 20 bucks you'll ever spend..

I had two TKA this year (one at a time). I had so many questions that i asked everyone who had one/both or knew anyone who got one. I did online searches for every medical article i could find (can be dangerous as they are written in medical terminology not for the patient) i wish i had found this book earlier. For example, i had all kinds of sensations post op thru the first 8-12 weeks postop in the first TKA. Every day, every week there were different sensations that hurt or felt odd. I got paranoid thinking that something was wrong and spent hours of wasted time trying to find studies about each "symptom". The generic literature from the manufacturers and from the physicians do not go into the level of detail I needed. Thank god i found this book while doing yet another online search! I must say, this book describes EVERY different sensation, sound, pinch, stiffness etc that i felt thru two TKAs. Turns out it was ALL part of the normal process of healing. My first TKA was 5 months ago and i am doing so well that i had the other side done last week because, as the book mentions, i got to the point where all my limitations were with remaining knee. The rehab i did for the first knee greatly helped prepare my muscles and body (strength, endurance) for the second one last week. I read his book cover to cover and love all the practical tips for regaining range of motion and strength. The other topic he covered so well was the nausea and weakness immediately postop. i had a difficult time both times with postop nausea and wish i had read his book before i went in. This authors are exceedingly knowledgeable, patient, and thorough. Reading this book gave validation to all my concerns, questions and gave me a better perspective about everything i went thru. The FAQs are the best and most comprehensive i have ever read and they start with pre-surgery yes-no decision through all the questions i have NOW about how to ensure i take the best care of these knees going forward. I plan to give copies of this book to friends just in case they know someone who may need to consider TKA. (BTW i kept putting off the need for TKA for years out of sheer terror and went from a highly athletic sportswoman to almost a couch potato. After gettng the first one done i realize i should not have waited so long!). i found the personal anecdotes of dr falkel's own TKA experience very interesting, even humorous. He has most certainly "walked the walk" and not just "talked the talk"!!! Kudos to these co-authors for such a valuable book. i normally do not give online product reviews but i feel passionately about this book because it helped me so much so this is my exception.

I've just had two total knee replacements, and wanted to know what was going to be happening. This book is written by two experts, clearly laid out, and explains in a way that curious laypersons can understand. It answered some of my questions about the rehab physical therapy I had scheduled, and what was going on during the few really busy days before and after the operation. I like to exercise, but I've learned that working through pain after an injury without understanding what was involved sometimes will slow down recovery (I'm 69 and still active). This book helps me understand what I can be doing now, and how long to expect it to take. (Up to a year for *complete* recovery.) One star off because it's copyrighted 2004, and is slightly outdated. But the knees are still the same, and the rehab largely so. Also I found no other book that presented all of this information, and in such a clear way. If you are considering partial or total knee replacements, first get in shape, but also get this book.

I bought this book after my mother had knee replacement surgery and was not progressing as we'd hoped. The book is easy to read and has great tips in it for rehabilitation that my mom used (and which hadn't been communicated to her by her therapist or doctor). I wish we had bought the book before the surgery, but it has been a gold mine of information since. Like my mom and many others, the author's knee rehabilitation did not progress at the normal pace even though he was doing as he was told. He found what worked for him and shares the information in this book. The advice and information came at a crucial time when my mom was getting conflicting information, was stuck on a walker (which she'd never had to use before) and felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. She's used the exercises in the book (particularly the water ones) and is making good progress. Best of all, armed with the knowledge in the book, she feels that ultimately she will get the full benefit of the knee replacement. I highly recommend the book for anyone at any stage in the knee replacement surgery process.

This book saved me after my TRKR!!! I had no idea what to expect. I was literally scared. This book has every question you might need answered …..In my area physical therapist are very busy and not enough of them. I don’t start therapy for another 2 weeks. I’ll be 5 weeks post-op by then. Thanks to this book it has me on schedule and doing PT on my own. It has a week by week explaining what’s happening etc. It has Information on other options other than surgery with pro and cons and post-op TRKR up to a year later. If you can’t get the information you need then I strongly suggest this book written by two PT’s that had this procedure and also an orthopedic surgeon’s intake on it. They really did outstanding research over a long period of time and it shows in this great book! Have the knowledge you need before getting this surgery. I feel better knowing what to expect and I’m able to rest and heal quickly. Highly recommend!!

There is no better book that I have found on this subject. By all means, get it BEFORE your op and get going. Get in shape. This operation depends not just on a good surgeon but on good rehab. It is hard work. It takes determination. Keep in mind your alternative to doing the work prescribed is pretty obvious: you won't get the results you want. Devote your life to getting well and get the payoff for the hard work. I am on my second knee and am older so I heal a little slower than younger people but with help of a physio therapist and this book I have actually started to enjoy the process and really like being in control of my recovery. I am pretty sure it has given me a lot of life. Hang onto the book for a friend, too ! It's pretty special.

My wife Rita wrote this and this is her review: I had a Bilateral TKA (both knees) done in October 2010. I googled info on the procedure and this book came up. Since a orthopedic physician and a PhD PT were involved I thought I would give it a try. It TRULY has been a magnificent resource for me. I had just under a month but I religiously completed the pre-surgery exercises (except for the gallon cans - that never worked - but the towels did). My surgeries were 3 days apart (my doctor wanted to make sure I wanted to go ahead with the second one and that there were no complications) and I did full leg raises less than 24 hours post-op on my left leg. My right leg took longer but still under 48 hours - pretty good, or so I've read! As many of the comments indicate it does help you prepare your home, your head and your legs. I took it to the hospital with me and read it every day for a month. By one month post-op I had 125 flexion in my left leg and 126 in my right. They released me from going to the pt and I believe it's this book that helped me achieve my success. I did find exercises for extension in the book. In fact sticking my heels on the side of the coffee table and letting them 'hang' there has become a favorite of mine! That helps stretch things out soooo much - I love it! I hadn't picked the book up since the holidays but I pulled it out yesterday and I am about to start on my pool therapy in the next 2-3 weeks. I have been using a recumbent stationary bike and I would recommend that to anyone with a TKA. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone considering a TKA. I am 52 years young and now have a pair of knees that reflect my age. Here's to another 52 and thanks to this book I'll always know how to go about looking after my new ones!

Comprehensive but dated. Procedures are different now.

Gives the reader the info one needs to go through the process of a knee replacement… before, during recovery, and afterward. This book is written by two ortho professionals who have had replacements so it’s a real account of what it’s like. It’s helped me greatly on my on journey to recovery. Highly recommended.

Brilliant, got this prior to having my knee replaced, think it should be available via the NHS. A bit pricey, and had to wait a while as came from USA, but well worth it, as explains things well and gives exercises to be done each week after the op.

I am making a decision about weather to have a knee replacement or live for the next 20 years, with my disability. This book gives an overview of the whole process, the options, how the prosthesis is inserted and how to navigate the arduous rehabilitation following operation. It explains the risks and the likely limitations of activity following knee replacement as well as the benefits. This allows one to consider ones daily routines and to see if they would be enhanced or not if rehabilitation was successful. This is a good book to read and annotate before meeting the hospital physiotherapist.

Helpful, good information for anyone going through knee replacement. I'm booked for a double replacement later this year and it was most helpful to look over for prep exercises and I'll keep it to hand for the post ones. Would have been great to have a section on double knee replacement as one of the authors had in fact had that done, and I could use the information.

Great help to us!! A wonderful resource!