The Total Knee Success Podcast: Your Essential Resource for Navigating Total Knee Replacement

Michelle Losurdo

Have you recently had a total knee replacement, or are you preparing for surgery and wondering what recovery will really be like? Welcome to the Total Knee Success Podcast, your resource for total knee replacement recovery and life after surgery. Hosted by Michelle Losurdo, a trusted doctor of physical therapy and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, this show is designed for anyone considering, preparing for, or recovering from knee replacement surgery. In about the time it takes to put a cold pack on your knee, each episode shares practical total knee surgery tips, evidence-based guidance, and clear strategies to help you manage pain, improve mobility, and thrive through the healing process. You’ll learn about post-operative knee rehab exercises, approaches to knee replacement physical therapy, and real-world tools for building confidence, improving sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and regaining natural movement. From time to time, you’ll also hear patient perspectives and success stories that encourage you along the way. Michelle also highlights the mindset and motivation strategies that make a lasting difference in recovery—helping you stay positive, focused, and resilient. And if you’re a family member, friend, or caregiver supporting someone through a knee replacement, you’ll find valuable insights here, too. Please remember: Michelle is not your personal therapist and does not know you. This podcast provides general education and opinion only. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your recovery plan. This podcast is not related to her clinical or teaching roles. If you’re ready to feel stronger and more confident on your journey—or if you’re supporting someone you care about—this is the total knee replacement podcast that will help you succeed—one step at a time

  1. 14h ago

    Episode 100: Getting Back to Golf After Knee Replacement (Timelines, Training, and a Gradual Return to the Course)

    Episode 100 is for golfers who want to return to the game after total knee replacement. Michelle reviews typical return timelines and explains why surgeon clearance, strength, weight shifting, balance, endurance, and rotational movement all influence readiness. Read Episode 100 article & resources Thank you for listening to 100 episodes! Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle The Episode follows a gradual progression from putting at home to chipping, partial swings, controlled range sessions, a short outing, and eventually a complete round. It also explains how a golf-aware physical therapist and a golf teaching professional can help with different parts of the return. Slip-on Golf Shoes and more SuperStroke Golf Ball Pick Up Tool Josongslax Telescopic Golf Ball Retriever Other Resources: Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 100: Getting Back to Golf After Knee Replacement (Timelines, Training, and a Gradual Return to the Course)
  2. 3d ago

    Episode 99: Returning to the Gym After Knee Replacement (How to Rebuild Strength Without Guessing What Is Safe)

    Episode 99 explains how to move from formal physical therapy into independent gym training after knee replacement. Michelle discusses cardiovascular equipment, machines, free weights, leg strengthening, balance work, and how load, range, and speed change an exercise. Read Episode 99 article & resources Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter The Episode also explains how to begin with a small program, monitor swelling and stiffness, and progress without changing too many variables at once. Listeners will learn why a repeatable program is often more useful than an aggressive first workout. Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 99: Returning to the Gym After Knee Replacement (How to Rebuild Strength Without Guessing What Is Safe)
  3. Aug 14

    Episode 98: Carrying and Playing With Grandchildren After Knee Replacement (How to Lift, Hold, and Move With More Control)

    Episode 98 explains how carrying and playing with grandchildren combines lifting, balance, walking, turning, floor transfers, and reacting to unpredictable movement. Read Episode 98 article & resources Get the free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter Michelle discusses safer starting positions, keeping a child close, modifying floor play, and deciding when stairs or heavier lifting require more preparation. The Episode also offers ways to remain involved and affectionate when carrying is not yet a safe choice. Listeners will learn how to treat the activity as a progression rather than a single milestone. Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 98: Carrying and Playing With Grandchildren After Knee Replacement (How to Lift, Hold, and Move With More Control)
  4. Aug 11

    Episode 97: Getting Back to Gardening After Knee Replacement (How to Bend, Kneel, Lift, and Work Without Overdoing It)

    Episode 97 opens the four-part Returning to Meaningful Activities series with a practical guide to gardening after knee replacement. Michelle explains how kneeling, bending, lifting, carrying, balance, uneven ground, and time in one position can be reintroduced in stages. The Episode also covers raised beds, stable supports, long-handled tools, smaller loads, position changes, and signs that a gardening session may have exceeded your current capacity. Listeners will learn how to adapt the activity without treating gardening as an all-or-nothing goal. Read the Episode 97 article and resources Gardening Tools for Easier Bending, Kneeling, and Carrying Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 97: Getting Back to Gardening After Knee Replacement (How to Bend, Kneel, Lift, and Work Without Overdoing It)
  5. Aug 7

    Episode 96: Getting Down on the Floor and Back Up Again (One of the Most Important Skills Nobody Teaches)

    Episode 96 explains why getting down to the floor and standing again can remain difficult after knee replacement. Michelle discusses the roles of knee motion, lower-body strength, balance, arm support, and movement sequencing, then describes several general floor-transfer methods that can be adapted to different abilities. The Episode also explains how task-specific practice and backward chaining may be used to build the skill in smaller parts. It closes by distinguishing a planned floor transfer from the decisions required after an actual fall. Read the Episode 96 article and resources Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter - practical education for where you are in the knee replacement process. Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 96: Getting Down on the Floor and Back Up Again (One of the Most Important Skills Nobody Teaches)
  6. Aug 4

    Episode 95: Getting In and Out of a Low Car (Why This Feels So Awkward and How to Make It Easier)

    Episode 95 explains why getting into and out of a low car can feel awkward after knee replacement. Michelle discusses seat height, hip and knee mechanics, vehicle design, and a practical sit-first transfer approach. The episode also covers differences among sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and minivans, along with how clinicians may break the transfer into smaller skills to improve control and reduce unnecessary twisting. Read the Episode 95 article and resources Car transfer handle on Amazon Leg lifter on Amazon Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 95: Getting In and Out of a Low Car (Why This Feels So Awkward and How to Make It Easier)
  7. Jul 31

    Episode 94: Why Going Down Stairs Is Harder After Knee Replacement (And How to Improve It Safely)

    Episode 94 explains why going down stairs is often more difficult than going up after knee replacement. Michelle discusses the role of quadriceps strength, eccentric control, balance, and coordination in stair descent, and outlines examples of approaches used in rehabilitation settings. The episode also highlights general considerations related to readiness for stair practice and emphasizes the importance of guidance from a physical therapist or surgeon. Read the Episode 94 article and resources Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter - practical education for where you are in the knee replacement process. Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 94:  Why Going Down Stairs Is Harder After Knee Replacement (And How to Improve It Safely)
  8. Jul 28

    Episode 93: Why Is Kneeling So Difficult After Knee Replacement? (What the Research Says and a Step-by-Step Way to Regain It)

    Episode 93 explains why kneeling can remain difficult after knee replacement even when walking and other activities are improving. Michelle separates pain from surface pressure, incision numbness, stiffness, and fear of damaging the implant. She reviews the published five-week graded kneeling protocol by Wallace and Berger and explains how to progress from soft to firmer surfaces after receiving surgeon or physical therapist clearance and ensuring the incision is fully healed. The Episode also recognizes physical therapist John O’Halloran for his research contributions, clinical expertise, and commitment to improving real-life function after knee replacement. Read the Episode 93 article and resources Free Total Knee Success Insider Newsletter Free 2-Week Launch Book! (Prehab) Knee Replacement Game Plan Free Top 5 Products for the First Two Weeks Free Guide: Less Pain, More Gain Book! Making Sense of Pain After Knee Replacement Free Top Ten Walking Tips Book! Walking Like Yourself Again After Knee Replacement Browse products on Amazon to make your life easier Resources at totalkneesuccess.com Have a question we can answer on the podcast? Click here for Ask Michelle Support the podcast 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 orthopedics 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.

    Episode 93: Why Is Kneeling So Difficult After Knee Replacement? (What the Research Says and a Step-by-Step Way to Regain It)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Have you recently had a total knee replacement, or are you preparing for surgery and wondering what recovery will really be like? Welcome to the Total Knee Success Podcast, your resource for total knee replacement recovery and life after surgery. Hosted by Michelle Losurdo, a trusted doctor of physical therapy and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, this show is designed for anyone considering, preparing for, or recovering from knee replacement surgery. In about the time it takes to put a cold pack on your knee, each episode shares practical total knee surgery tips, evidence-based guidance, and clear strategies to help you manage pain, improve mobility, and thrive through the healing process. You’ll learn about post-operative knee rehab exercises, approaches to knee replacement physical therapy, and real-world tools for building confidence, improving sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and regaining natural movement. From time to time, you’ll also hear patient perspectives and success stories that encourage you along the way. Michelle also highlights the mindset and motivation strategies that make a lasting difference in recovery—helping you stay positive, focused, and resilient. And if you’re a family member, friend, or caregiver supporting someone through a knee replacement, you’ll find valuable insights here, too. Please remember: Michelle is not your personal therapist and does not know you. This podcast provides general education and opinion only. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your recovery plan. This podcast is not related to her clinical or teaching roles. If you’re ready to feel stronger and more confident on your journey—or if you’re supporting someone you care about—this is the total knee replacement podcast that will help you succeed—one step at a time

You Might Also Like