Equipment needed or not?

[AZgirl]

Hi everyone. I'm buying equipment for my surgery in Sept. and wondered if I needed to buy a reacher. Also, we have a tall toilet in the master bath with arms installed now, and I was wondering if I needed to get a raised toilet seat with arms for the other bathroom, too. Also, how long does one need the raised toilet seat in your experience? I guess I am trying not to spend a fortune on equipment if not needed. Would love to hear what you think.

Bridget

 

[Judles]

A grabber, a sock putter- on-er, a grabber, YES!!! You will still probably need a raised tolet seat cover on ltegs athat goes OVER your existing toilet plus grab bars...installed permanently by your toilet in the shower!!! (0). Attend the joint replacement class that is usually offered in the hospital before your surgery......and good luck!!! (0)

 

[Judles]

Elastic shoe laces and a long show horn,too!!! (0)

 

[Judles]

.....Oh! An finally! Don't forget to pack your patience and your sense of humor! Believe me, you'll certainly need BOTH!!! (0)

 

[Judles]

About 8 weeks for the raised toilet! I kept it on longer....much to the chagrin of my hubby!!! LOL!!! (0)

 

[Linda2]

If you're willing to go where the tall toilet is, you should be fine. I never needed a grabber, but others really like them.

 

[FrogFeathers]

When I had my PT/OT, they gave me the grabber (I named it MacGuyver), the long shoe horn (that I never used), the sock thingy (where you put your sock on it, use long straps to pull the sock onto your foot- I called mine "Sport").

They didn't give me handles for my bathroom (my husband got ours from Home Depot and installed them himself) or the raised toilet seat. Once the handles were installed, I didn't need the raised seat thingy (which turned out to be more trouble than it was worth!).

Are you sure you're not going to get these things from the PT/OT clinic?

 

[sykeRN]

Hi Bridget-- I also did not want to spend extra money on items that I was unsure that would be used--I waited until I got to the hospital and OT helped arrange for the equipment that I took home.

I did not get the grabber-although it was offered. i did get the portable toilet with bars that went over a regular toilet (also could be used as a bedside commode). I used the toilet contraption for one week--hated it--so haven't used it since. I can get up fine from my regular toilet. However I know most folks have the raised toilet or commode with bars and keep it on for an extended time. I did use the cryocuff (still do) that I got from the hospital. Our insurance is paying for these aides.

It always is good before surgery to use your" nervous energy" to work on lists, equipment, freezer meals, and stuff to take to the hospital etc! I was obsessed with such irrelevant items such as what shoes to wear in the hospital. Ha Ha on me--I wore the standard issue hospital socks when I was up. However the extra planning did help with other things around the house.

Regards to you as you get ready for the surgery. Nancy

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi AZ!

I used the grabber to help me get dressed for a few weeks, and for picking things up, of course, but it was really helpful to sort laundry and get it into the machine. I felt sooo good when I could actually DO SOMETHING USEFUL--LOL.

At 3+ months, I can use a regular toilet but it is still hard to get up when I'm tired so I have the raised seat still in place in one bathroom.

I had a problem with shoes--the ones I brought to rehab were too tight on my swollen feet--hubby had to find a wider pair so that I could stuff them in.

I bought risers for the bed ( about $10 at Walmart) so that I could get in and out by myself. It was a great investment in my independence. Also lots of pillows!!

Blessings,
Irene

 

[Josephine]

mMy surgeon won't let his patients have raised loo seats as he believes it makes one do flexion which is good! I have medium height loos and they were no problem to get on and off. But I did have a frame around the toilet.

Check in this thread - there's heaps of advice and suggestions Recurring Knee Information

 

[SissyG]

Josephine, I have been reading about the Cryocuff, do you know if insurance will pay for this? It seems like a great thing to have for the first weeks.
I checked Ebay but none on there. I will add it to my growing list of things to ask my doc about.:pzld:

 

[Josephine]

Well, I'm not in the US, I'm in the UK. But so far as I have ascertained from here, some hospitals get one in for their patients and they even get to take it home with them! I hope others will chime in and give their experiences.

I agree, though. It was the number one aid so far as I was concerned! So soothing and comforting.

I found this on a Google search - not often one can find US sales as Google is regionally biased now.

https://www.donjoybraces.com/productcart/pc/AirCast-Knee-Cryo-Cuff-SC-497p1018.htm

 

[dcdowden]

I just had RTKR two weeks ago and they sent me home from the hospital with a PolarCare unit. It is a small ice cooler with an air compressor mechanism that causes cold water to flow through the knee wrap. It works really nice. My insurance paid for it, but I saw it listed on line for about $150 for the base unit and another $50 for the knee wrap attachment. They also make other attachments for shoulders, ankles, etc. Icing is a definite must have for a knee replacement.
Doug

 

[cindy88fan]

Sissy,
Before I had my surgery I had asked my insurance if they would cover a cryo cuff and they said no. Then when I was at the hospital, they didn't even offer one to me. So I have been just using frozen bags of peas...works just fine for me. But if you google cryo cuff you can find the whole thing for $125.00 with a company named Aircast. Also check out any local medical supply stores in your area. Walgreens told me they could order me one but I chose the peas instead...healthier for me:hehe::hehe::hehe:.

 

[Texas]

yes polar care is awesome i had it for 2 weeks, wish I would have bought on ebay...it was so nice..............) Good Luck to you.!!!!!!!!!!!...)

 

[Sticker Lady]

Sissy--
I was sent home with two Cryocuff sets but not the pump--I have to drain and fill manually. It doesn"t stay as cold but it's OK.
Blessings,
Irene

 

[wrinklepooh]

I found a bench for the shower that was perfect for a tub situation...2 legs fit in the tub and 2 legs are on the outside of the tub making it easy to sit and swing your legs into and out of the the tub...it is very stable and helped me lose the fear of falling. I must agree that lots of pillows are also a must!

 

[sykeRN]

Hi---I was sent home with the cryocuff after surgery. I have used it a lot as well as other ice packs---even frozen peas to ice. Depends on my mood----or if hubby has the cryo machine filled up with ice--which he usually does. Nancy

 

[SissyG]

I have a pre-op consult with my OS this week and will ask about an icing machine along with a million other questions I have:pzld:...I am not opposed to paying for one myself if my regular insurance or medicare doesn't pay for it. I injured my knee originally on a cruise and luckily I had travel insurance, they most likely will pick up the cost at the end after all the other insurances have paid. Also good idea about the tub bench...I was already thinking of how I would manage the tub.

 

[loggon]

an ice machine is a must. Mine was just part of the surgery bill.
I do hope you get one paid for on insurance if not you may want to got to ebay like Jo did.