In Episode 47 of the Total Knee Success podcast, Michelle explains what prehabilitation actually changes before knee replacement and what it was never designed to control. She clarifies why prehab improves early strength and confidence but does not eliminate later slowdowns or plateaus. This episode reframes mid‑recovery challenges in a way that reduces self‑blame and supports steady, progressive rebuilding. Listeners walk away with a clearer understanding of how to use preparation strategically and why prehab remains a valuable investment in long‑term recovery.

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

Gränicher U, 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. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11160

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):143‑150. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11600

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):1‑15. doi:10.2519/jospt.2025.11800

Bricca A, et al. Exercise therapy “wears down” my knee joint: myth or reality? J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2025;55(7):463‑468.

Goff AJ, Donaldson A, de Oliveira Silva D, et al. Physical therapists prioritize providing education about exercise therapy and to dispel misconceptions about radiology for people with knee osteoarthritis: a concept mapping study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(9):607‑618. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11054

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total knee replacement exercise guide. OrthoInfo. Accessed February 16, 2026. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/total-knee-replacement-exercise-guide/

In Episode 46 of the Total Knee Success podcast, Michelle explains how to stay engaged after knee replacement when progress feels slower and less obvious. She discusses why mid-phase slowdowns are normal and why consistency, rather than constant testing or perfection, supports continued improvement. Michelle introduces ten research-informed activity options often used between three and six months after surgery and encourages listeners to use these as a starting point for thoughtful conversations with their physical therapist about where to focus next.

NMES unit commonly used for quad muscle contraction

A second estim unit to check out

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

Gränicher P, Mulder L, Lenssen T, Scherr J, Swanenburg J. 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.

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):143–150.

Capin JJ, Minick KI, Stevens-Lapsley JE, et al. Variation in outcomes and number of visits following care guideline implementation: Part 2 of an analysis of 12 355 patients after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(3):151–159.

Duong V, Dennis S, Ferreira ML, et al. Predictors of adherence to a step count intervention following total knee replacement: An exploratory cohort study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(9):620–629.

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):1–16.

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

In Episode 45 of the Total Knee Success podcast, Michelle explains why progress after total knee replacement often slows after the early postoperative phase and why that change does not mean recovery has stalled. The episode explores how deeper strength, endurance, and neuromuscular adaptations take longer to develop and are harder to see week to week. Michelle reviews research on recovery trajectories, adherence, and activity consistency after TKA, helping listeners understand why early gains do not predict long-term outcomes. The episode closes with guidance on when to seek individualized input from a physical therapist or surgeon and how to stay engaged without chasing perfection.

NMES unit commonly used for quad muscle contraction

A second estim unit to check out

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

Duong V, et al. Predictors of adherence to a step-count intervention following total knee replacement: an exploratory study. Phys Ther. 2022.

Minick KI, et al. Improved outcomes following a care guideline implementation after total knee arthroplasty: analysis of 12,355 patients. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023.

Orange ST, et al. Physical function following total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a longitudinal systematic review. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2025.

Gränicher F, et al. Prehabilitation improves knee function before and after total knee arthroplasty. Clin Rehabil. 2022.

Graber J, et al. Expert consensus for outpatient rehabilitation visits after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023.

Capin JJ, et al. Variation in outcomes and rehabilitation utilization following care guideline implementation after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023.

Dandis K, et al. Predictors of outcomes after early high-intensity physical therapy following total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2021.

Goff AJ, et al. Physical therapists’ perspectives on education and exercise after knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2022.