Al Roker returns to 'Today' after 3-week absence: 'I've got a new knee'

Al Roker is back on the "Today" show after a nearly three-week absence due to a recent knee replacement surgery.

"I've got a new knee," Roker, 68, told his co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb Tuesday. As far as how he's feeling, the weatherman said he's "all good."

On the third hour of "Today," he added: "This was a much more involved operation because they were taking out a knee and putting a new knee back in, but that said, it's coming along well."

His return comes two weeks after he made a virtual appearance on "Today" to give his co-anchors an update on how his latest medical battle is going. "Look, it's Monday and I'm home from the hospital, it's just another day," he quipped, prompting laughter.

'It was a bit of a bear': Al Roker gives update on knee surgery amid 'Today' absence

Where has Al Roker been?

Roker announced on May 8 that he would be absent from the show "for a little while to take care of the knee."

The surgery, he explained, was a little more complex than a typical knee replacement surgery.

"This one ... is more complicated because it was what they call a 'revision' that was the replacement of a replacement so that they take stuff out, put new stuff in. So it was a bit of a bear," he said. Roker previously had a knee replacement surgery in April 2022, per "Today."

The long-time weatherman underwent total knee replacement surgery.

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What is a total knee replacement?

Nearly 1 million knee replacement procedures are performed in the U.S. each year, and a rapid increase is expected by 2030, according to a 2020 study by Northwestern University published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. A 2018 study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that by 2030, primary knee replacements will increase by a rate of 189%.

About 26% of knee surgeries performed are done prematurely as people who are "likely inappropriate" for the procedure go through with surgery anyway.

Among these patients, the study notes, patients run the risk of complications with less benefit than if the procedure were done later. A second surgery – which may have worse outcomes and is more arduous – may also be necessary.

Al Roker's previous health scares

Roker has been in and out of the hospital on a few different occasions for varying health issues in recent months and years.

In November, he was hospitalized for blood clots, which he was readmitted for in December. During that incident, he missed the show for about two months.

'Every day I feel a little bit better': Al Roker makes first TV appearance since hospitalization

"It's been a tough slog. I’m not going to deny this," he said during an update on the show at the time. "It's been the hardest one yet and you know I’ve had my share of surgeries."

In 2020, Roker shared he had prostate cancer and underwent a successful surgery to have lymph nodes surrounding his prostate removed.

"I'm very fortunate," he said upon returning to "Today" after the procedure. "I just went to the doctor yesterday and they checked everything and everything is fine. ... Right now, there is no cancer evident, but I'm going to have to get tested (every) six months for the next five years."

Contributing: Morgan Hines, Elise Brisco, Sara M. Moniuszko, Joshua Bote

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Al Roker knee replacement: 'Today' host returns after surgery