In episode 44 of the Total Knee Success podcast, Michelle explains why being “cleared” after knee replacement does not mean recovery is complete. She explores the difference between medical clearance and true functional readiness, including strength, load tolerance, and neuromuscular recovery. The episode helps listeners understand why swelling, stiffness, or fatigue can persist despite surgical success and how to respond without fear. Listeners are guided to view clearance as permission to progress thoughtfully rather than pressure to perform.

NMES unit commonly used for quad muscle contraction

A second estim unit to check out

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Visit totalkneesuccess.com.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content is not intended to replace individualized medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your surgeon, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific condition, surgical decisions, and rehabilitation plan.

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Some resources mentioned in this podcast may include Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Evidence-Based Content Statement: All information presented in this episode is grounded in peer-reviewed research, published clinical guidelines, and current best practices in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation.

Music Licensing Statement: Intro and outro music for the Total Knee Success Podcast is licensed for commercial use. Editing and production for this episode were completed using Descript.

References: Vossen JA, et al. Long-term recovery of knee extensor strength after total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2025.

Sun Y, et al. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation after joint replacement surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2025.

Arhos A, Ito Y, Stevens-Lapsley J, et al. Who’s afraid of electrical stimulation? Let’s revisit the application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation at the knee. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2024;54(2):101-110.

Orange GM, Hince DA, Jones M, et al. Physical function following total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a longitudinal systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2025;55(1):1-20.

Minick KI, Hunter SJ, Capin JJ, et al. Improved outcomes following a care guideline implementation: part 1 of an analysis of 12,355 patients after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(3):143-152.

Gränicher P, Mulder L, Lenssen T, et al. Prehabilitation improves knee functioning before and within the first year after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(11):709-725.

Graber J, Stevens-Lapsley J, et al. Expert consensus for the use of outpatient rehabilitation visits after total knee arthroplasty: a Delphi study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(9):566-576.

In Episode 43 of the Total Knee Success podcast, Michelle explains the real healing timeline after knee replacement by walking through how skin, muscle, tendons, ligaments, and bone heal at different rates. She clarifies why the knee can look healed on the outside while deeper tissues are still adapting, and how this mismatch influences stiffness, swelling, and strength. The episode helps listeners understand how different tissues heal over time and what they can reasonably expect as recovery progresses.

NMES unit commonly used for quad muscle contraction

Get email when The Knee Replacement Game Plan is released.

Visit totalkneesuccess.com.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content is not intended to replace individualized medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your surgeon, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific condition, surgical decisions, and rehabilitation plan.

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Some resources mentioned in this podcast may include Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Evidence-Based Content Statement: All information presented in this episode is grounded in peer-reviewed research, published clinical guidelines, and current best practices in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation.

Music Licensing Statement: Intro and outro music for the Total Knee Success Podcast is licensed for commercial use. Editing and production for this episode were completed using Descript.

References

Orange GM, Hince DA, Jones M, et al. Physical function following total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a longitudinal systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2025;55(1):1-14.

Minick KI, Hunter SJ, Capin JJ, et al. Improved outcomes following a care guideline implementation after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(3):143-150.

Capin JJ, Hunter SJ, Minick KI, et al. Variation in outcomes and number of visits following care guideline implementation after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(3):151-160.

Gränicher P, Mulder L, Lenssen T, et al. Prehabilitation improves knee functioning before and within the first year after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(11):709-725.

Graber J, Stevens-Lapsley J, et al. Expert consensus for the use of outpatient rehabilitation visits after total knee arthroplasty: a Delphi study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(9):566-578.

Dandis D, et al. Latent class analysis to predict outcomes of early high-intensity physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(7):362-371.

Na A, Coronado RA, et al. Diabetes mellitus blunts the symptoms, physical function, and health-related quality-of-life benefits of total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(6):269-280.

Aldhahwani BM, et al. Sociodemographic differences in short-term physical function outcomes after hip and knee arthroplasty. JOSPT Open. 2025;3(3):254-266.

Werner BC, Carr JB, Browne JA. Risk factors, outcomes, and timing of manipulation under anesthesia after total knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015;97(24):1956-1961.

In Episode 42 of the Total Knee Success podcast, Michelle explains how to decide when to progress walking after knee replacement without guessing or reacting out of fear. The episode focuses on practical signals such as recovery patterns, fatigue, walking speed trends, endurance, confidence, and assistive device use. Listeners learn how to interpret these signals to make informed progression decisions, shifting from uncertainty to clarity and building confidence in their recovery choices.

Check out this Self Standing Pivot Walking Cane or this Rollator Walker on Amazon

Get email when The Knee Replacement Game Plan is released.

Visit totalkneesuccess.com.

Medical Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content is not intended to replace individualized medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your surgeon, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific condition, surgical decisions, and rehabilitation plan.

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Some resources mentioned in this podcast may include Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, the podcast may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Evidence-Based Content Statement: All information presented in this episode is grounded in peer-reviewed research, published clinical guidelines, and current best practices in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation.

Music Licensing Statement: Intro and outro music for the Total Knee Success Podcast is licensed for commercial use. Editing and production for this episode were completed using Descript.

References: Minick KI, Hunter SJ, Capin JJ, Stevens-Lapsley JE, Snow G, et al. Improved outcomes following a care guideline implementation: part 1 of an analysis of 12 355 patients after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(3):143-152. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11436.

Capin JJ, Kittelson AJ, Stevens-Lapsley JE, et al. Variation in outcomes and number of visits following care guideline implementation after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(4):1-12. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11437.

Dandis MT, Stevens-Lapsley JE, Kittelson AJ, et al. Latent class analysis to predict outcomes of early high-intensity physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty based on longitudinal trajectories of walking speed. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(7):362-371. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10345.

Orange GM, Murphy MC, Wand BM, Sharma S, Kim S, et al. Physical function following total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a longitudinal systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2025;55(1):1-16. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12123.

Graber J, Stevens-Lapsley JE, Snyder-Mackler L, et al. Expert consensus for the use of outpatient rehabilitation visits after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(5):1-11. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11541.