I’m Trish Steed, a former HR leader. In early July, I underwent total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, which presented a major challenge. My career often required me to travel, spending countless hours on the road and in airports and planes. Balancing the pain and challenges of recovery with my professional responsibilities wasn’t easy.
I started using the XPOLAR X2 in August, and its portability quickly became one of my favorite features. I could take it on flights and bring it along on work trips, making it much easier to stay consistent with my recovery even with a busy schedule.
One experience that really stands out was a 13-hour drive. I used the X2 along the way and noticed a significant reduction in swelling. Its compression function also gave me greater peace of mind during long periods of sitting. Toward the final hour of the drive, I started feeling uncomfortable despite taking breaks to stretch, so I put the brace back on in heat mode and felt relief almost immediately.
The X2 has become a helpful part of my TKR recovery journey, allowing me to prioritize my knee recovery while continuing to navigate a demanding professional life. Recovery hasn’t always been easy, but having a tool I can take with me has made it easier to stay on track.
Follow Trish’s recovery, step by step
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Watch on TikTok Day 15 after TKRJul 15, 2026
The hard days nobody warns you about
Two weeks after surgery, Trish talks openly about two days of intense pain, especially at night, and how heat helped once her physical therapist said it was okay to try. Even on the hardest days, she stands by her decision.
“I still stand by the fact that this is the best thing I could have done”
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Watch on TikTok Week 5 post-TKRAug 4, 2026
Nerve pain and setbacks
Five weeks in — and just days after a 45-minute ride on her recumbent bike — Trish has a rough 24 hours: nerve pain and a tight, vise-like feeling around her knee. A reminder that recovery isn’t a straight line.
“Some days are easier than others”
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Watch on TikTok Flying after TKRSep 5, 2026
Taking recovery on a flight
Trish packs the X2 for a flight and uses cold, heat and compression in the air. She says it kept her comfortable and left her feeling less swollen after a long flight.
“You can see it fits easily under the seat with plenty of room”
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Watch on TikTok After overdoing itSep 12, 2026
Calming a flare-up at home
After a morning of moving boxes into a storage unit, Trish elevates her heel and runs a 10–20 minute cooling session with compression. Before the X2, it was ice packs, heating pads and an ice machine she had to keep refilling. She’s also started controlling it from the app.
“This is what I’m using now. I love it.”
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Watch on TikTok Back at work eventsOct 6, 2026
3,000 steps before the keynote
At SAP Connect in Las Vegas, Trish has walked more than 3,000 steps by mid-morning. Before the next keynote she takes five minutes with the X2 on its coldest setting and second-highest compression, so she can walk all the way to the front without trouble.
Follow Trish’s journey on TikTok.
Individual experiences vary. This story reflects one person’s experience and is not medical advice — always follow the guidance of your surgeon and physical therapist.