re: Anybody have a total knee replacement? How bad was the recovery?

I had my (bone on bone agony for years) left knee replaced 10 years ago at age 67. Definitely worth it. As others have stated, use a very well rated surgeon even if you have to wait a while to schedule with the surgeon. I'm 6 ft. & 290 pounds. My 10 year check up x-ray shows absolutely no wear on the replacement knee. My surgeon expects that I will go to my grave with my replacement knee!

Absolutely do everything asked by physical therapists in the hospital, at home PT, out patient PT clinics, and any homework PT requested to be done on your own. Significant non-compliance can leave you with a stiff leg.

I was forced to walk using a walker just a few hours after getting to my room in the hospital after surgery! I live alone and had someone stay with me only the 1st night that I returned home since I wasn't sure if meds might affect me. Turned out, I did everything for myself that 1st night home using a walker. I stayed alone continuously after that doing everything for myself. Since my right leg was OK and I live in the country I was able to drive 1 mile to my church for services 3 days after coming home. I had 10 days of home health PT services, followed by 6 weeks of outpatient PT clinic sessions and I graduated from PT. Then within 6 months, I have felt like my left replacement knee feels as good as my original birth knee felt at 20 years old.

It's a serious surgery, definitely not painless (it's very tolerable compared to a kidney stone attack)! It's definitely worth doing!