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

by Daniel J. Brugioni, Jeff Falkel Ph.D. P.T.

While several treatment options exist for knee arthritis patients, end-stage treatment is total knee arthroplasty (TKA or total knee replacement). For patients to achieve maximum benefits of this surgical correction, they need understand and manage many important details both before and in the first year after surgery.

This comprehensive guide explains everything from the preoperative decision-making process to the surgery itself, how to prepare your home for post-surgery rehabilitation, and a week by week description of how to rehabilitate yourself following your TKA. The road to recovery is laid out clearly in this book in such detail that there are no surprises. It concentrates extensively on postoperative rehabilitation, which is vital to the success of a TKA, and as important as the surgery itself.

This book contains 145 exercises, 190 illustrations and photos, and questions and answers at the end of each chapter. It empowers patients with the knowledge they need to take charge of their own rehabilitation program.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 26, 2004

Reviews

[MountainKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIghly recommended to anyone considering or planning knee replacement surgery. This book reads easily and is full of encouragement and advice. It has many exercises to do before your surgery and during your rehab. The chapters are divided by time - pre-op prep, surgery, immediate post op, first week, second week, first month, second month and so on with activities and exercises appropriate for that point on the timeline. I found it informative.

[Kilian Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Bible for anyone planning to have knee replacement surgery. It's most helpful if you can read it in advance and have time to do the exercises. Even if you don't get to read it until after the surgery, it is still useful, and you'll have it on hand for the other knee.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be having total knee replacement surgery next month. In addition to starting physical therapy ahead of the surgery, I looked for a book on the subject. This one is the most comprehensive that I could find. It takes you through before and after with exercises to help recovery. I am already doing them and will help me after surgery too. There are photos of how the exercises should be done and answers to many questions that I had not even framed. I thank the authors for all their work putting together and the occasional humor to lighten the task. I will hold onto as a guide to refer whenever needed.

[Myroslav Dosiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide is an essential resource for anyone preparing for knee replacement surgery. It’s written in a clear, straightforward style, making complex information easy to grasp. Covering all stages—before, during, and after surgery—it not only delves into the medical and surgical aspects but also offers practical advice on rehab exercises, pain control, and long-term knee care.

What truly sets this book apart is its patient-focused approach. Dr. Brugioni’s expertise shines through, as he speaks directly to the reader, offering guidance without the overload of medical jargon. It’s an invaluable tool for patients seeking a thorough understanding of their knee replacement journey.

[Pete Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

WISH I HAD THIS BEFORE SURGERY

I wish I would have had the forethought to read this book before I had a Total Knee Replacement. It is a bit dated but still very useful. There is a section on pre-surgery exercises to strength the muscles that you will need to rehab. This would have been useful to me, had I known about this book. But there are many exercises illustrated in this book that I will use well past my formal rehab. I would recommend this to anyone considering this type of surgery. I subtracted a star because the book, even though very useful, could be updated.

[Maurafallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book for total knee replacement. It has exercises to do before surgery, immediately after surgery and, most importantly, to continue doing after you have finished physical therapy. If you’re only going to read one book about TKR, this is the one you should read.

I found this book, the exercise products it recommends and my iceman machine to be the most important things I had for my recovery.

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book even if the hospitals and Medicare have lessened their care and procedures. The exercises are still viable and timely in the healing process. The flow of TKR process information is still relevant, even with the exact procedure being changed.

[Ellen Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good reference for both before and after knee replacement.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as informative as I had expected. Exercises aren't bad.

[Judi Stroud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview, but unfortunately this was written in 2004 and some of the content is outdated.

[maureen wright · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible way out of date his antibiotics info is wrong

An interesting tirade on insurance companies
There is no need for prophylactic antibiotics for dental cleaning
The exercises are numerous and most are more complicated than need be
Do not waste your money on this book

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard that this book is the best on the subject of TKR, even if it's not completely up-to-date. I have to agree: the advice and explanations for before, during and after total knee replacement surgery is the best I've seen, and matches up pretty closely with my doctor's recommendations. If you're looking for information before making a decision, or to help in preparing for or recovering from surgery, you'll appreciate the knowledge here. Highly recommended.

[B. Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having now gone through the ordeal, I believe no book can fully prepare you for what lies ahead. That said, this book did a good job of outlining the challenges to rehabilitation in a way that made the small progress one makes initially seem satisfying. It had good advice (which I observed, mostly) that anyone undergoing this procedure should consider.

[Argum · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book is a bit out of date, it does provide a lot of useful physical therapy information and at home exercises. However, they advocate a bit strongly for self directed versus professional therapist post op. It is a bit light on the surgical information focusing more on the long term recovery. Well written and concise easy for lay person to understand without being condescended to.

[Katrina]

Thorough book on knee replacement

I wish I had bought this book a couple of months prior to my first TKA, but, at least, I have it for the entire process of pre and post surgery and rehab of my second TKA.

I love that the authors all have personal experience with TKA; this helped me trust them as they explained what to expect.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great help for anyone who wants to know about knee transplants. Get it far enough in advance so that you can do the strengthening exercises before the surgery. I got it after surgery and it was still very helpful.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confidence Inspiring

Knowledge is power, and this book contains a clear and simple explanation of what to expect from a total knee replacement, including how to best prepare oneself for the experience for best results before and after.

[Rita Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this from cover to cover before my TKR. An excellent book full of good advice & a very useful reference/resource after surgery.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and reread this "owners manual" for six weeks. It is the equivalent of "What to Expect when you are Expecting" (which I also read and reread!).

[Joanne Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a total knee replacement and this book helped me tremendously. The tips I picked up while reading I put into practice. I believe it helped me have a speedy recovery.

[Chiman]

see

[Schmidleysscribblins.wordpress.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book to read if you are undergoing TKR. Very informative.