jellycats
junior member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2018
- Messages
- 31
- Age
- 66
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
My surgery (TKR, left knee) was scheduled on January 11 for March 5, so the Big Day is almost here. I'm glad I've had these weeks to plan and get the house/work/etc. in order. It has been so helpful to read the various posts to the forum. I'm sure my questions have been asked/discussed somewhere, so my apologies for asking again. 1) Can you actually bend enough to get in a car for the drive home from the hospital? Just moments ago (privately, in my garage, where no one could see my attempts) I tried getting in the passenger side of my Honda CR-V (which is considered a small SUV) with a "pretend" mostly straight left leg and had no luck. I'm assuming I'll be sliding into the back seat and will stick some pillows in the car to be ready for the drive (husband's driving). My brother had knee replacements 3 and 4 years ago, and he's 6' 11". A friend had to pick him up from the hospital in a full-size SUV because he had to slide into the backseat! 2) What's the general rule, if there is one, about when one can resume swimming? I've seen posts and read articles where people are swimming after 2 weeks and some are waiting as long as 6 weeks. The literature my surgeon and the hospital distribute says AT LEAST two months and possibly three. I know the surgeon has to give the go ahead on when it is safe to submerge the knee, but I feel sad that I may be out of the water so long! My Schwinn Airdyne and I may become better pals during this time. Thanks again to everyone for sharing their experiences!