Knee replacement

[Mike Costello]

Some things I did that made post-op recovery easier:
1) I changed the shower head to a hand held one and used a shower chair to sit on while bathing. Was way more comfortable and less chance of slipping.
2) Use a riser on the toilet because they are lower than you think and less strain on the knee. A male urinal (brought home from the hospital) helps alot during the middle of the night.
3) I used a walker for the first week or two for more control and stability, then switched to a cane.
4) For sitting during the day, use a recliner chair such as a Lazy-Boy to elevate the knee and to rest. My BIL mounted my recliner on a platform to make it much easier to get in and out. It was so comfortable, I sometimes spent the night there.
5) Remove any tripping hazzards. The second week I was home, I tripped over one of my kid's bicycles when it caught the cuff of my pants. Luckily, I turned to my side away trom the knee as I fell. Got away with it--but very scary!

The biggest thing to remember about knee replacements is flexion. You have to exercise to get it back, so make your surroundings work to that purpose. Take your time, don't get discouraged...you will make it. Mike.

 

[WVBill]

Any thoughts on making life easier or more comfortable?

Showering/bathing ( for as long as you have your knee bandaged) - If you don't already have a seat and a hand-held shower head, get them. My technique for showering was to wrap my knee in kitchen plastic wrap fairly tightly to keep it dry, sit on the seat as much as possible and direct the hand-held shower as much away from the knee as possible. As soon as the bandage comes off/stitches out you can do away with the plastic wrap but the hand-held shower will help keep the spray from directly hitting the sensitive scar area for a couple of weeks.

 

[Bird]

I changed the shower head to a hand held one and used a shower chair to sit on while bathing. Was way more comfortable and less chance of slipping.

We have that type of hand held shower head in the hall bath (tub/shower) because my wife wanted it, but not in the master bath (shower only) that I use.

The "occupational therapist" at the hospital asked if we had a shower chair and was going to assist me in getting one, but I didn't want one. I had no problem standing in the shower, even at the hospital.

Use a riser on the toilet because they are lower than you think and less strain on the knee.

Yep, I bought one at Walgreen's before I went to the hospital. I hated the darned thing, but it was definitely needed for awhile.

A male urinal (brought home from the hospital) helps alot during the middle of the night.

I brought one home from the hospital, but never used it. I just kept the walker next to the bed for when I got up during the night.

I used a walker for the first week or two for more control and stability, then switched to a cane.

Yep, me, too.

For sitting during the day, use a recliner chair such as a Lazy-Boy to elevate the knee and to rest. My BIL mounted my recliner on a platform to make it much easier to get in and out. It was so comfortable, I sometimes spent the night there.

I've spent the night in my recliner, but it was not elevated; sounds like a good idea, though. As for elevating the knee . . . the therapists stressed the need to completely straighten the knee and even the written instructions from the hospital said to NOT put anything under the knee to keep it bent. Part of my therapy exercises was to straighten the leg, push down on the knee and hold it for 30 seconds at a time several times a day. The therapist would put a folded pillow or other object under my heel or ankle and press down on the knee (one of the more painful exercises:laughing. So while I was sitting in the recliner, I frequently used a rolled up towel under my ankle.

Remove any tripping hazzards. The second week I was home, I tripped over one of my kid's bicycles when it caught the cuff of my pants. Luckily, I turned to my side away trom the knee as I fell. Got away with it--but very scary!

Good advice. We moved a coffee table out of the living room for 2 or 3 weeks. Fortunately, I never tripped on anything, but I was especially concerned about the possibility of tripping over our Chihuahua.

The biggest thing to remember about knee replacements is flexion.

The doctor and therapists tell me I have excellent range of motion, but I'd still like to be able to bend it farther without it hurting.

My technique for showering was to wrap my knee in kitchen plastic wrap fairly tightly to keep it dry

Instead of wrapping it, the occupational therapist at the hospital showed me (and my wife) how to cover the incision with saran wrap and tape it into place using the paper type tape that's easy to remove after showering. Instead of stitches, I had staples and the home health care nurse removed them 10 days after the surgery. I was told I could quit covering the incision when bathing at that time, but I still covered it for a couple more days.

 

[sodamo]

Hey isn't today the magic day for Vernon, Texbaylea?

 

[sodamo]

Wow, you guys are awesome :thumbsup:

Already have the handheld shower thingy. I always intended to put in shower seat, but haven't got around to it. Last 2 bathroom remodels I built them in, but for some silly reason in the new house I talked myself into thinking I could add later.

I did do all elevated commodes, so hopefully I can do without additional riser seat. Worse case, I still have wife's bedside commode in the garage. Maybe I can get wife to trade her side of the bed, then I'd only be 3 steps to the toilet

I still might do the grab bars.

My slippers are slipons as are my slippahs :laughing:

Need to get some of that paper tape.

Fortunately, we built the house to be handicap friendly, just haven't finished the details like shower seats and grab bars.

I've readjusted my wife's walker to my height. I wonder is crutches would be better initially, especially on the plane.

Have 2 Lazy Boys, but a towel roll or pillow under the ankle seems in order. Mine aren't raised, but not only have I napped in them, I've even spent the night in the one in the bedroom when down with stuffed head.

I'm a bit concerned about my dogs. Boxers are rambunctious by nature. We have 6 on them. They will NOT be pleased to be kicked of the bed. That said, we still had our first boxer when my wife was broken up in her car wreck, but it was like he knew instinctively how to be mindful of her. The hospital loved for him to come in and visit.

I'm hoping the ice maker will keep up as we rarely use the ice for drinks.

I think it is amazing the info here via TBN. Perhaps we have a book in various threads. "Aging Gracefully - A TBN Guide from young and agile to mature and fragile "

Is there any particular function anybody wanted/needed to do but found you couldn't? Reason?

 

[mrmikey]

Is there any particular function anybody wanted/needed to do but found you couldn't? Reason?

As much as you don't probably want to hear, it was the initial trying to take a l#ak :ashamed: . They warned me before hand to expect it as it's a common side effect of the anestethic (sp). No problem I was told at the pr-op, we only have to do the catheter once and then it'll work naturally. There was no way they nurses were going to stick a 1" diameter (well...it looked tha big) tube up poor ole willie . It took me a good 1/2 hour the first time but after that things worked great, not trying to scare you, just be warned.

I wonder is crutches would be better initially, especially on the plane.

Like I had said, I found them a lot easier to manouver.

I'm a bit concerned about my dogs.

I was too, as was my daughter, I've got an amstaff as well as a terrier. They were both good and well behaved, they know for some reason......Mike

 

[Bird]

I wonder is crutches would be better initially

Might be for you, but weren't for me. My wife likes to go to garage sales; fortunately spends very little money, but a good while before the knee surgery, she bought a pretty nice pair of the old fashioned wooden crutches for $2. We've still got them, and I gave them a very brief try, but liked the walker much better.:laughing:

mrmikey, when I woke up after the surgery, I found that I had a catheter. Of course that was Monday and it was removed Wednesday.

 

[Mike Costello]

Speaking of catheters: The nurse removed mine about 24 hours after the knee surgery, BUT told me if I couldn't pee on my own by evening they would have to put it back in. You bet I was motivated...drank water all day long and passed the test!

 

[Mike Costello]

Crutches didn't work for me either, as I was too awkward on them. My wife, being an RN, ruled them out after watcing me use them. The walker worked much better, but I only used it for a couple of weeks before moving on to a cane.
Physical therapy started soon after and after the first week of therapy I was walking unassisted, although not a speed demon. The therapist was looking for a bend of 110-115 degrees when it was all said and done. Of all the exercises they put me through, I think the knee presses worked the best--I was doing 300lbs in short order. Everyone progresses differently; by 6 months post-op I was bending the knee pretty good.
My second knee replacement, done one year later, went better than the first. I reached most of the goals set for me much faster.

 

[sodamo]

You guys are too funny. Been so long, I'd completely forgotten about having to pass the exit exam

 

[dmccarty]

Why did ya'll use ice and not one of those cooling/ice pads you can put in the freezer?

We have a couple ice pads we keep in the freezer so they are ready to go when we hurt the back or pull a muscle somewhere. The ice pads are much easier to use than ice.

Later,
Dan

 

[TBDonnelly]

I've heard if you use the british version of the knee you'll automatically qualify for dual citizenship. :laughing:

Don

 

[mrmikey]

....pass the exit exam

Those two words bring badddd memories, pass and exit .....Mike

 

[Bird]

Why did ya'll use ice and not one of those cooling/ice pads you can put in the freezer?

We have a couple ice pads we keep in the freezer so they are ready to go when we hurt the back or pull a muscle somewhere. The ice pads are much easier to use than ice.

Later,
Dan

Yep, Dan, that's what I used on the knee, but you do ice cubes in your adult beverages. Of course he did say they rarely use ice in drinks. Personally I don't care much for warm drinks except for my coffee.

 

[sodamo]

Yep, Dan, that's what I used on the knee, but you do ice cubes in your adult beverages. Of course he did say they rarely use ice in drinks. Personally I don't care much for warm drinks except for my coffee.

Fortunately, my beer tap maintains a steady 44 degrees. I guess if I need to add a kicker I should add that to my frozen mug before drawing the beer

On my pre-op list I have making sure I have both kegs (5 gallon type) full before I fly to Honolulu. Next on the list was be sure to fill my wife's 5 gallon gas cans. For some reason, she didn't see the humor. LOL

 

[sodamo]

Well tomorrow's the day!!!!
Flew to Honolulu today to check into the Dr ofc and the hospital. Staying at a hospital apt for the night - $30 and they pick me up in the morning so i'm there at 6. I'm scheduled #2 or might get bumped to #1.

Had an interesting event. Dr ordered new Xrays, including a full size set for templating. I go into the xray room and am greeted by my ortho surgeon. He physically placed and held my knee in place for 2 of the views, then he left and let the tech finish.

Great ofc visit where he explained everything and didhis preop. I'm scheduled for a partial, but everything is set up to go to total replacement if required.

All TBN prayers and good thoughts appreciated.

I'll post update when they give me my iphone back. LOL

 

[Bird]

We'll expect to hear from you this weekend, if not before, David. Hope all goes well, and I expect it will.

 

[Knotbored]

Someone asked about things difficult to do after replacement.
There are few-and none that can't be worked around.
1. Can't kneel on the bad knee
2. Can't jog (can but was warned against it)
3. Can't shovel with the bad knee (can but warned against it)
4. I find it difficult (not impossible) to crawl over log piles. I have a tendancy to always swing the "good" leg over the top perhaps more from habit then need.
5. The hardest and longest lasting discomfort was walking DOWN stairs (up was easy-down was painful for 6 months.)
Note-I am 71, had my relacement about 12 years ago, cut/split my cordwood, have no regrets about knee-and sometimes forget which knee was fixed. One week of pain, one month of discomfort, one year getting back to 100% and a lifetime of happiness.

 

[dooleysm]

A couple years back I had a ruptured achilles tendon and had surgery scheduled for noon. Was told no food/drink starting the night before. Surgery got pushed back until 4, so it was like 6 pm by the time I was awake after surgery. It was an outpatient deal, but they told me I'd have to pass the same exit test mentioned above. I was so hungry and thirsty when I came to that I downed 3 sprites and 2 pudding cups in 30 minutes and passed the exit test well before they were ready to release me.

You guys make this knee replacement sound like a cakewalk compared to that achilles tendon surgery. I'm only 33 though, so I hope it's a few years before I get to see for myself.

Nobody has mentioned a common side affect of the morphine based pain killers...constipation. I was pretty doped up for a while and had some problems in that area. Fiber pills, stool softeners, and plenty of water would be a good thing to avoid any similar issues.

 

[sodamo]

Quick update.

Out of surgery about 6 hrs ago, got moved up to #1
Dr said he was really pleased and only did the partial as well as cleaning up a bunch of bone spurs
So far pain less than I anticipated
2 doses while in recovery, now on percocet (stool softener too)
Had lunch, absolutely the best meal, I've had today
Both OT & PT here about half hour ago. Got me out of bed and walked (w/walker) to the door and return.

Nurses sure are younger and cuter than I remember LOL