TKR 2 weeks to go Questions

[Lupyhippie]

Well the good news is I’ve been too busy repairing our hurricane damaged cottage to think about the TKR 3/3. The bad news is I’ve been too busy to do pre op exercises or think about prepping the house or my mind. So today is the day for ordering ice machines, wedges and other items. I’m also feeling anxious after reading on this site (you’d think after both hips I’d be a pro but PTSD is real) so some specific questions :
1. Will my (fav) chaise lounge be ok for postop lounging w the wedge pillow? Since there are no hip precautions I’d like to use this as it’s my normal nest area. I’m having a hard time visualizing how restrictive I’ll be with my knee. (Leg straight out I assume ?perhaps I’ll YT this).
2. How hard is it to get in/out of bed and do the covers really bother (pain) folks? (I’m a cozy sleeper used to snuggling with blankets, dogs, cats, spouse- which I’ll be kicking out in reverse order if I have pain )
3. Do most do the bike at PT only or do I need to buy one for home use (wasn’t planning on it)
4. How long do most go to PT (Hip 1 was 2 weeks and Hip 2 was none).
5. Driving when ?
6. Is a raised toilet seat necessary with knee as it was with hip ? (My toilet’s normal height)

Thanks.

Lisa

 

[Jockette]

Will my (fav) chaise lounge be ok for postop lounging w the wedge pillow?

Most likely this will be fine, since it’s already a favorite.

How hard is it to get in/out of bed and do the covers really bother (pain) folks?

It is difficult for most of us, for a short time. In the very beginning my husband was very good about getting my leg on the bed for me, until I could do it myself.

I was able to “poof up” the quilt so it didn’t touch my knee.

Do most do the bike at PT only or do I need to buy one for home use (wasn’t planning on it)

You do not have to buy a bike for yourself. I didn’t even use the bike at PT every appointment.

How long do most go to PT (Hip 1 was 2 weeks and Hip 2 was none).

This varies for each of us. I went for just under 8 weeks.

Driving when ?

This also varies. My husband was retired so I didn’t have any need, or desire, to drive until it was necessary, which in my case was 11 weeks post op. You need to be off all prescription medications and be healed enough to slam on the brake in an emergency. Your car insurance may have guidelines, also.

Is a raised toilet seat necessary with knee

In my case, yes, it was necessary.

Best Wishes!

 

[Lupyhippie]

Thank you for your kind replies!!

 

[Jamie]

Awww….. @Lupyhippie ….. try not to stress. You’re a pro at this recovery thing and you’ve got us to help you. You’re going to do just fine!

Be sure and stock up on some healthy and easy snacks and meals. You won’t feel like cooking for a while. Get some comfy clothes ready that you can put on and take off easily. And plan for some things to do while you’re lounging comfortably in your recovery nest.

You won’t want your leg completely straight while you’re icing and elevating. That can really hurt after a while, Any pain beyond mild discomfort is something you want to avoid, so prepare to use ice and maybe some type of pain medication to minimize it. You might consider the Lounge Doctor foam wedge. It is scientifically designed to match the contour of your body for restful elevation. There is a link for more information at the top of the page.

Here are some articles from our BoneSmart Library (available to Insiders Club members only) that will help you know what to expect in recovery.

Knee Recovery: The Guidelines

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary
2. Control discomfort:

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rest​

elevate​

ice​

take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)​

don't overwork.​

3. Do what you want to do BUT

​

a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you​

b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.​

4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these

​

the BoneSmart view on exercise​

BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy​

5. At week 4 and after you should follow this

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Activity progression for TKRs​

6. Access to these pages on the website

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Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications​

Wound Closure​

The Recovery articles:
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?

Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key

Ice to control pain and swelling
Heel slides and how to do them properly

Chart representation of TKR recovery
Healing: how long does it take?

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

There are also some cautionary articles here
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.

While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[EalingGran]

most do the bike at PT only or do I need to buy one for home use (wasn’t planning on it)
4. How long do most go to PT (Hip 1 was 2 weeks and Hip 2 was none).
5. Driving when ?
6. Is a raised toilet seat necessary

I never used a bike or had formal PT apart from a couple of sessions in hospital to show me how to use crutches on stairs.
I just had an exercise booklet which I followed pretty religiously and paid for some private pilates lessons. My ROM came back fine and is now almost as good as my good leg at 150 degrees.
I didn't drive until about 12 weeks. Like @Jockette says you really do need to be able to slam on the brakes. I remember being in the car when my husband had to brake suddenly at about 8 weeks and that really jolted my knee and upset it for 2-3 days. It also depends a bit on where you live. I live in a busy London suburb with heavy traffic and frequent stop/ starts.
I didn't need a raised toilet seat but I had fairly good bend from early on.
Everyone is different. A lot may depend on how fit/ mobile you were pre-op and how much muscle/ tendon weakness you had secondary to your arthritis.
I found a shower stool really helpful. I had had a few falls due to my twisted valgus leg and I really didn't feel safe standing in the shower early on.

 

[guitar lady]

Gran,
I have a handy leg lifter from Amazon. But it's for my right leg, easier to get off the bed. I hve vertigo in my left ear, so I couldn't lay on that side or even lean over on it. So, I had to lift my leg over my rt. leg-very painful. I didn't know about the leg lifter then.

My shower stool helped a lot.

I found our handicapped or comfort toilet VERY handy. Lowering myself to the regular toilet was too painful. I borrowed a toilet frame which goes over the tall toilet. I needed it for stability last time and it's ready for this time.

This time, I put a vellux blanket on top of the bed. It's kind of slippery and lets me slide off. Satin would work too, but might be too slippery for me. We had the vellux one on hand anyway.

I am concerned about if I can tolerate any blankets on my TKR. Last time was warm weather and I wore shorts on top of the covers. But it's cold now. I have some wide legged pants I hope I can tolerate. If not, it's back to the shorts.

guitar lady

 

[guitar lady]

Another helpful tip: I watch youtube videos with PT's demonstrating how to get on and off the bed, how to put on underwear, how to use a walker.
guitarlady

 

[eaglemom]

I was just checking on how you are doing. Try not to stress too much. You've got this, and we'll help you through your recovery.

I will say with my last surgery I didn't drive until 14 weeks. I believe the surgeon said I "could" drive if necessary at 12 weeks, but he'd prefer 14 weeks. It wasn't as challenging as I'd feared, especially since my husband doesn't drive. Every place delivers but even better, our friends / neighbors ask each time they went out and brought us what we needed. Or, better yet, let us ride along!

Our shower has a bench in it, which is wonderful. But I was very nervous going from seated on the bench to standing with water and all. I ended up putting a very solid mat just where my feet were when I stood up. It was just for my peace of mind.

Try to not go into your surgery totally exhausted. Eat well and rest well prior to 3/3.