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.