Jeff’s Story: Living with Knee Pain While Waiting for Surgery

Jeff’s Story: Living with Knee Pain While Waiting for Surgery

At 69, Jeff has always been the kind of person who thrives on movement. Golf isn’t just a hobby for him — it’s a vital part of staying mentally sharp, socially engaged, and emotionally grounded. But knee pain has started to change that.

“When I’m not playing, I start to psychologically decline,” Jeff shares.

Two years ago, Jeff had arthroscopic knee surgery. His orthopedic surgeon advised him to postpone total knee replacement for as long as possible, citing the typical 10–15 year lifespan of a prosthetic joint. That’s a common recommendation. But what happens when waiting means withholding life?

Like many people who’ve always been active, Jeff finds himself stuck in the gray zone — his pain isn’t unbearable, and yet it’s constantly interfering. “Even grocery shopping is a struggle some days. On the golf course, my swing is guarded to avoid pain, which means it’s not really a proper swing anymore.” The result? Not just knee pain, but aches and dysfunction radiating throughout the body due to compensation.

Despite the challenges, Jeff isn’t passive in his journey. He’s experimented with programs like Precision Movement’s “Knee Pain Solution” and ROM Coach, and he’s worked with PTs focused on posterior chain strength — particularly the glutes — to ease knee joint compression. While some protocols advised de-emphasizing quad strengthening, Jeff noticed that light quad work actually helped his knees feel better for a couple of days.

“I know I’m not in enough pain for a replacement yet — but I also know my quality of life is declining. I want to go into surgery strong, even if that means I get there a little sooner.”

Jeff is now focused on full-body strength — glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves — aiming to build the foundation he’ll need before surgery. He’s not interested in shortcuts or surface-level advice. He wants a comprehensive, collaborative approach. One where he’s not left alone to “wait it out,” but has someone in his corner, helping him make informed decisions for the long haul.

Why Jeff’s Knee Story Matters:

Jeff’s story is one that resonates deeply with many in the GoKnee community. It captures the emotional tug-of-war between preserving joint longevity and protecting quality of life. If you’re in a similar place — not sure if it’s “time” yet, but struggling with how your knee pain chips away at your identity and movement — you’re not alone.

GoKnee is here to empower you before and after surgery. We believe in strengthening, in strategy, and in standing with you every step of the way. It’s why we created KneeMail, so you could easily get information that could help you on your knee journey.

Have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it.

Send an email to recover@thegoknee.com with your story. Even if you don’t want us to share it in the newsletter, still reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

Your Next Step:

Do you relate to Jeff’s story? Are you wondering if there’s something you can do before your total knee replacement surgery?

You don’t have to wait in the dark. Subscribe to KneeMail — a free monthly newsletter from PT Shehla Rooney, filled with tips, exercises, and truths about preparing for and recovering from knee surgery.

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