Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs

02/06/2026

Creating confidence before surgery is just as important as the surgical technique itself, and this review captures exactly what we work hard to deliver. When patients feel prepared and supported, they recover better. It's not about eliminating all discomfort or pretending recovery is effortless. It's about giving patients a clear roadmap, realistic expectations, and the tools they need to navigate each stage of healing. When they know what's normal and what's not, when they understand why physical therapy matters, and when they have direct access to our team throughout recovery, that confidence translates into better outcomes.

Thank you, David, for trusting us with your care and for sharing your experience. It means a lot to our entire team.

02/04/2026

Here's a great question from a patient who is proactively planning for a successful recovery.

If you live in a multiple-story house, I would recommend that you prepare a bed and a living space on the first floor so you can avoid the stairs when you first come home, if possible. It is also tremendously important to make sure your home is free of obstructions and hazards, including power cords, area rugs, clutter, and unnecessary furniture. Focus on pathways, hallways, and other places you are likely to walk through.

Lastly, make sure that any handrails in your home are secure and a grab bar is installed in the tub or shower. You may also want to invest in a bath or shower seat.

01/31/2026

The surgery is only half of the equation, and I need patients to understand that before they ever get to the operating room.

I can perform a technically perfect knee replacement with excellent alignment, the right implant, and no complications, but if the patient doesn't commit to physical therapy afterward, they won't get the outcome they're hoping for. It's that simple.

Physical therapy is not something you do if you feel like it or when it's convenient. It's the difference between a knee that works well and a knee that works great. The patients who take PT seriously, who do their home exercises consistently, and who push through the discomfort of rebuilding strength are the ones who come back six months later and tell me their knee feels better than it has in years.

The ones who skip sessions, avoid the exercises, or give up when it gets hard are the ones who struggle. And that's frustrating because the potential for a great outcome was there, but the follow through wasn't.

Your outcome is largely in your control after you leave the operating room. The surgery creates the opportunity, but physical therapy is what gets you across the finish line.

01/29/2026

This surprises most people, but sitting actually puts more stress on your knees than standing does.

When you sit with your knee bent at 90 degrees, the force on your kneecap can be three to four times your body weight. Standing distributes the load more evenly across the joint, which is why people with knee pain often feel worse after sitting for long periods. You might notice that you need a moment to "get going" when you first stand up, and that's because the sustained pressure from sitting creates stiffness and discomfort.

If you have chronic knee pain, you've probably experienced this without realizing why it happens. Long car rides, sitting through a movie, working at a desk all day, or even just relaxing on the couch can make your knees feel worse, not because you've been overusing them, but because of the sustained pressure from keeping them in a bent position.

Small adjustments can help. Standing up and moving around every 30 to 45 minutes, adjusting your chair height so your knees aren't bent as sharply, and doing some simple stretches throughout the day can all reduce the amount of pressure your knees are under. These changes won't eliminate knee pain if the underlying joint damage is significant, but they can make day to day management a bit more comfortable.

Understanding how position affects your knees helps you make better decisions about how you move through your day.

01/28/2026

Reviews like this one from Gail remind me why I love what I do.

When a patient describes their recovery as phenomenal, it's a reflection of everything coming together the way it should. The surgery is important, but so is the preparation before it, the communication throughout recovery, and the commitment the patient brings to physical therapy and rehabilitation. Joint replacement outcomes depend on all of these pieces working in harmony, and when they do, patients get results like Gail experienced.

Our team works hard to make sure every patient feels cared for and supported through the entire process, and hearing that it made a difference for Gail means a lot to all of us.

Thank you for trusting the Joint Replacement Institute with your care, Gail. We're grateful to have been part of your path to living without pain.

01/23/2026

How do you know when it's really time for joint replacement?

Here are three subtle signs:
1. You're developing pain in other joints. Your body compensates for one bad joint by overworking the others. One problem becomes three.

2. Pain is disrupting your sleep. When joint pain wakes you up at night, it affects healing, mood, and cognitive function.

3. You're pre-medicating for normal activities. Taking ibuprofen before the grocery store means you're living defensively around pain.

These aren't dramatic signs, but they're clear indicators it's time to talk.

Considering surgery? Contact us for a professional opinion you can trust.

01/22/2026

After years of practicing joint replacement surgery, I can tell you with certainty: excellent outcomes aren't built by one person—they're built by an exceptional team.

I'm incredibly proud of the professionals we've assembled at the Joint Replacement Institute. From our surgical nurses and anesthesia team to our patient coordinators, physical therapists, and front office staff—every person plays a critical role in your recovery.

They bring skill, compassion, and genuine dedication to helping patients return to pain-free, active living. When patients tell me how well they were cared for, I know it's because of this team.

Great surgery matters. But great care—from start to finish—makes all the difference.
Grateful to work alongside such talented people every day.

— Dr. Biggs

01/21/2026

Our January newsletter just dropped 🌴

This month we're covering the science behind post-surgery pet behavior changes, the real math on exercise and diet, mental health benefits that surprise everyone, and what's actually worth doing in Naples this January.

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01/21/2026

01/19/2026

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his enduring legacy.

Dr. King asked us a question that remains as urgent today as it was when he first posed it: "What are you doing for others?" His life was the answer to that question. He dedicated himself entirely to the fight for equality, justice, and human dignity. He did so with courage, conviction, and an unwavering belief that progress was possible even when the obstacles seemed insurmountable.

His work changed the course of history. His sacrifice opened doors that had been closed for generations. His vision continues to challenge us to be better, to do more, and to recognize that service to others is the highest calling.

Today we remember his courage, we honor his legacy, and we commit ourselves to continuing the work he started.

01/17/2026

These are the things that come up in almost every post operative visit, and I wish more patients knew them before surgery instead of after.

Recovery from knee replacement takes 6-12 months, not 6 weeks. You will need help at home for the first 2 weeks because you physically cannot manage on your own. Physical therapy starts the day after surgery and continues for months, and your outcome depends on your commitment to it. Swelling and stiffness are normal for months and don't mean something went wrong. And you will have frustrating days during recovery even when everything is going well.

None of this means the surgery doesn't work. It means recovery is a process, and understanding what that process looks like makes it easier to navigate.

Patients who go in with realistic expectations tend to do better than those who expect to be back to normal in a month. The goal isn't to sugarcoat the recovery or make it sound harder than it is. The goal is to make sure people know what to expect so they can plan accordingly and recognize when things are progressing normally versus when something actually needs attention.

If you're considering knee replacement, make sure you understand what the recovery actually looks like. Not just the best case scenario, but the realistic timeline and what you'll need to make it work.

01/16/2026

Most people don't have an answer to this question right away. Instead, they've spent so long adjusting their life around knee pain that they've stopped thinking about what they're missing.

When patients finally sit down and think about it, the answers are rarely dramatic. Nobody says they want to run a marathon or climb mountains. It's usually something simple. Playing with grandkids on the floor instead of watching from a chair, taking a trip without spending the whole time worrying about how much walking is involved, or going to a wedding without leaving early because standing hurts too much.

The problem isn't just the pain itself. It's that over time, you stop noticing how much you've changed your life to avoid it. You tell yourself you're just getting older, or that everyone deals with some discomfort, or that it's not bad enough to do anything about yet.
But if you're turning down invitations, avoiding activities you used to enjoy, or planning your day around where you can sit down, that's not normal aging. That's chronic pain limiting your quality of life.

If you find yourself making these kinds of adjustments without even realizing it anymore, that's worth addressing. Chronic knee pain doesn't have to be permanent just because it's been there a long time.