Dr. Schultz gave himself six months to prepare for his own knee replacement — an exercise plan, a weight plan, the whole thing. Most patients do not have that long. If you have a date on the calendar in two or three months and you feel behind, this episode is for you: whether cramming (prehab) actually works, and the five moves that matter most when you are short on time — getting the leg as strong as you can, weight and nutrition, getting your home and your people ready, knocking out your other health to-dos, and getting off opioids before surgery rather than after. This is education, not medical advice. Always follow your own surgeon’s and care team’s instructions.