Knee Surgery Meme Explained: The Blue Grinch Phenomenon

The phrase “That Feeling When Knee Surgery Is Tomorrow” might sound like the beginning of a health blog or a rehab diary, but in the chaotic universe of the internet, it became a meme. A weirdly specific, emotionally ironic, and unexpectedly viral meme. This article, Knee Surgery Meme Explained, will explore the strange journey of this phrase—from a squirrel picture with raised arms to a blue Grinch with viral fame.

We’ll walk through its meaning, origins, explain its ironic appeal, and understand why people are obsessively sharing it.

Knee Surgery Meme Explained: What It Actually Means

The Knee Surgery meme, also known as the Blue Grinch Knee Surgery or “That Feeling When Knee Surgery Is Tomorrow,” is a humorous, oddly specific meme.

It features the Grinch character tinted blue, often paired with an impact‑font caption: “That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow” – describing the anxiety and anticipation before knee surgery.

Source: Reddit User

What is the Origin of the Knee Surgery meme?

The Knee Surgery meme began on MemeCreator.org in early 2021 with an animated squirrel paired with the caption “That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow.” The image first went viral after being shared on Instagram by @stupid.fricken.meme on April 6, 2021.

Shortly after, Redditor ZyeAxe uploaded a variation with a smiling Drake to the subreddit /r/okbuddyretard on August 2, 2021.

That same day, a subreddit called /r/Kneesurgerymemes was launched—dedicated to the growing niche of knee surgery-themed memes. Now this subreddit has about 4,000 members.

Knee Surgery Meme Explained: The Rise of Blue Grinch

Everything changed when Instagram user @blinch.feels introduced the “Blue Grinch” version on March 14, 2022. The meme showed a blue-tinted, gleeful Grinch image with the same caption. Its bizarre tone, combined with the known character and strange color palette, made it instantly meme-worthy. It was reshared across Reddit and Instagram:

Source: bluegrinchy

The next day, on October 25, 2022, it was reposted by Instagram user @grubburd, racking up 85,000 likes, helping push the image deeper into meme territory.

The Liberal Party of Australia posted a TikTok edit featuring the meme, a clear sign that the internet’s adults had noticed—and co-opted—it.

Source: kneeonsol

In 2023, the meme gained new life. On February 9, Instagram user @blinch.feels shared a screenshot of someone sending the Blue Grinch meme to their real knee surgeon. It amassed over 110,000 likes. A month later, Twitter user @MemeHut1990 posted the original squirrel version, bringing new attention.

In a surprising twist, the official Dr. Seuss Instagram shared a blue-tinted Grinch (Jim Carrey’s version) during the 2024 holiday season, feeding meme fuel to its growing fandom.

Source: CatInHatFan

Variations and Derivatives of the Knee Surgery Meme

Popular variations of the meme includes: Squirrel macro, Drake meme, Blue Grinch, Power parody, and Chaos memes.

• • Squirrel macro: The original version
  • Drake meme: First popular adaptation
  • Blue Grinch: The most iconic variant
  • Power parody: “What gives people feelings of power? That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow.”
  • Chaos memes: Featuring anesthesia jokes or meditative calm in wild scenarios

Source: AntiqueProcedure3265

FAQs

Q: What does the Knee Surgery meme mean?

A: It captures the mixed emotions—nervousness, fatigue, dread—before a knee operation, wrapped in surreal humor.

Q: Who created the Blue Grinch version?

A: Instagram user @blinch.feels posted the first Blue Grinch Knee Surgery meme on March 14, 2022.

Q: Was this meme created to mock surgery?

A: No. It’s an ironic reflection of pre‑surgery anxiety, not a mockery of medical procedures.

Q: What happened to the meme-crypto angle?

A: A meme coin called “knee coin” briefly circulated, but like many meme coins, it showed high volatility and low value.

Q: Is its popularity fading?

A: Possibly. Like many niche memes, it sees spikes during school or medical appointment seasons and may decline afterward.

Conclusion

In the strange and wonderful world of memes, “That Feeling When Knee Surgery Is Tomorrow” stands out as a masterclass in ironic humor. From a squirrel to a blue Grinch, it transformed anxiety into laughter. This Knee Surgery Meme Explained guide shows how absurdity, timing, and cultural resonance gave birth to one of the most oddly iconic memes of recent years. Whether it makes you laugh, cringe, or feel strangely seen—you now know exactly why this meme exists, and why it endures.