facing knee replacement living alone

[craftylady]

Hi, I am new to this forum. Just joined when i found it. I am facing total knee replacment as soon as they call with a date. I am a widow and live alone, have two sons living not far. I have decided to go to a re-hab after, and would like some input on that from some of you who have taken that route. Also how many of you were not put to sleep, just made so happy , you did not care. This is my docs plan, hates to put people to sleep, especially as we age. I am 66. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[calling_all_angels]

Hello Craftylady,
Nice to meet you. There are a few people here that went from hospital to a rehab
center. I am sure they will be happy to tell you how it worked for them. You will have to let us know when you get your date for surgery.
^i^

 

[JudyS]

Craftylady

Welcome and great plan to go to rehab after. What is your doc talking about for anesthesia?
I had a hip replacement. For anesthesia I had a spinal and medication to relax me. I went right to sleep and don't remember a thing. Some people say they heard things but did not care.
Judy

 

[Weezy]

Hi Craftylady! I can't answer the rehab issue, but I know others will jump in and let you know about their experiences.

You might want to ask your doctor what HIS definition of "going to sleep" is...I discovered that some docs refer to general anesthesia as that, but I think of going to sleep as just being oblivious.

I had a spinal and enough happy drugs that I FELT like I was asleep, but I wasn't so far under that I needed a breathing tube like during a general. During my first TKR, I remember waking up a bit and hearing a saw, but it was totally disconnected from me and I quickly went back to sleep; I don't remember a thing from this TKR after they injected the first dose of happy juice before I got to the OR.

Be sure to let us know your date!

Weezy

 

[ship4]

Welcome Craftlady! I am Crystal from NH. I had both knees replaced during the same surgery in June of 2008. I was 58 at the time. I had surgery on Wednesday, woke up in my room around 3:30 PM. I had general anesthesia, as well as, a femoral nerve block in each leg. The nerve block in the leg helps with pain management the first couple of days as you have no feeling the first 24-36 hours after the block. On Friday afternoon I was transferred to the rehabilitation hospital and stayed until the following Thursday afternoon.
When I came home I could walk inside the house unassited (no walker, cane, crutch). However when I went outside doing the stairs and walking on uneven ground I used both crutches.
I had PT that came to the house 3 times/week for the first couple of weeks and then 2 times a week for the following 2 weeks. I have a stationary bike and have used that and The Total Gym.
While in rehab, I think you should be aware you need to be proactive for yourself. The nurses are very busy with lots of patients and the bells and buzzers are going off all the time. I had a cleaning person come in and clean my room while I was sleeping and she moved my shoes from under my bed to across the room. I rang for my nurse, but was considered mobile and of less importance than others because I had room independance (as long as I had my shoes on!). I called the front desk! I asked to speak to the nurses station on my floor as I needed my shoes! They put me right thru and a nurse came in and got my shoes for me. So, you need to be proactive for yourself.
Don't bring too many clothes. A couple of pairs of comfortable breathable nylon shorts, a couple of T shirts, and sleeveless shirts. Do bring a fleece jacket you can put on right after PT as you work up a sweat and then get cold if you do not have something to put on....... I also found as my pain elevated, I got cold. There were times I even slept in that fleece zip front jacket.
You will do fine......
Best,
Crystal

 

[Sticker Lady]

Crystal
Thanks for all the great info! I, too am from NH and looking at BTKR in May. The plan is to go to rehab after the hospital and your input is so very helpful. There's no better source than someone who has walked the path already.
Irene

 

[Josephine]

Ladies, we are all in the same boat! I'm facing a 'home alone' recovery as well. Sadly, in the UK we don't have any rehab facilities but if we did, I would make full use of them, believe me! (I might get an extra day or two in hospital instead if my surgeon is feeling benevolent!

).

You can see all my preparations in my thread in here called "This is THE day ..." - it's a bit of a ramble but there is no end of things and stuff I have planned and prepared. Possibly I won't need half of them but they'll be there if I do! And I have enough food and essentials (like loo rolls!) stashed up for a winter's hibernation!

I think it can be done but, truth to tell, us ladies who are all on our own just have to get on with it regardless, don't we? I'm also lucky that I will be able to get hospital transport to take me for PT as when required.

Well, we can only wait and pray all goes well. And I do pray for you two ladies. God bless!

 

[Simon]

Hi Craftylady

I had a BTKR in June and I live alone with no family nearby and since I moved to the area not that long ago most of the people I know I met in an exercise class for seniors and they don't do alot of driving. I was 57 when I had them done and most of the people in the class e in there 70's and 80's. I am right next door to you in Vermont. I was on the surgical floor for 4 days and then moved upstairs to the inpatient rehab floor and was there for 11 days (I had a slight problem as the tibia cracked in surgery due to previous surgeries not a common problem). The inpatient rehab people were great. I had PT and OT for 3 hours a day and if I was not working out with them, then I was on the CPM machine. Everyone was very attentive and they all worked together as a team. Unlike Crystal experiences the nurses and LVN were right there. It is a smaller unit of 12 beds so that might be the difference. When I came home, I had Home Health with the nurse coming every other day, mainly to monitor the warfarin. PT came for 2 weeks then I went to outpatient PT. Home health would also have provided someone to come in and help with things like the shower, meals, laundry, light housekeeping and picking up Rx and groceries. I was able to find someone on my own that did that as well as drive me to PT until I could drive. She also drove me to the doctor which was 2 1/2 hours away so that all worked out fine. Before I left for the hospital, I had made some meals to put in the freezer though I really did not have much of an appetite for that first month. I also rolled up all the rugs and made sure lamp cords were not in the way. Another thing is to make sure you have a portable phone so that you don't have to jump up and get one. I used a walker for a month because of the break (as well as having a nonunion foot fracture) after that I did not use anything. I did not have much trouble with pain and my local GP took care of what I needed as this was easier. My big problem was with sleep but I found out that is a common problem and a week of an anti-anixety drug (lorazapam) fixed that.

I had a femoral block and an epidural but was totally awake during surgery (at my request) and had a great anesthesiologist who even arrange things so that I could watch the computer screen develop the plan that the surgeon was using. I had 7 previous knee surgeries as well as a few scopes and was awake at most of them as this made it easier for the surgeon to get the alignment correct. I also read medical journals for my job every day so it was not a big deal for me.

Things overall went pretty good and though it took alot of PT (the month of inpatient and home plus 6 months outside) but I did get them to 120. I bought a good exercise bike and use that every day and still do my exercises to keep them moving.

If you are planning for inpatient rehab make sure you talk with your insurance company as that can be a major hassle and you don't want any last minutes suprises. The hospital will help you arrange that. If they don't cover that in you inpatient class ask.

Living alone does bring some extra challenges so try and be as organized as you can ahead of time. I even bought some extra underwear so that I could stretch out the time I would need someone to do it (the washer is downstairs). The inpatient rehab floor had a washing machine which I ended up using as I was there longer than I had planned.

Both of my roommates had there surgery done at Dartmouth and then were transferred by Ambulance over to Rutland.

Good luck.

Simon

 

[craftylady]

I have not been able to get into this site since I posted the first questions.

I would like to thank all of you for your input. It does take someone who has been there to know the facts.

I assume re-habs can vary, I have heard several different things as to the care you get. I do not expect anything like you would in a hospital. But just knowing about clothing to take etc, how much re-hab time to expect with a PT, helps a lot. I do have medicare and a very good supplimentary insurance which was my primary insurance until I hit the older then dirt age. LOL. Got to have a sense of humor these days. I also am one of those people who like to be prepared. So packing for a rehab and the hospital will be different so my sons do not have to go digging thru drawers and closets.

So I am assuming, its best to pack shorts for the re-hab....which makes sense except its still winter. Brrrrrrrr. Live in NC.

Thanks < craftylady

 

[calling_all_angels]

Craftylady,
It is winter here too. So yes shorts for rehab. But I was told anything that was loose I took lounging pants which are loose yet comfy. You can get them any where they are just PJ bottoms. I can not tell you anything about rehabs but I sure that all the people here that have used them will fill you in. Hope the clothing helps but as long as it is loose I do not think lenght matters. You could call and ask.
^i^

 

[craftylady]

Thanks, i had wondered about sweat pants that are loose in the leg, not sure how much room you need with whatever they have on the knee after surgery. But I do like the idea of the pj bottoms. Thanks.

 

[craftylady]

I have been also reading a lot about the swelling after and recliners and elevating the leg. I also have severe back problems, which need surgery, but have to get thru this one first. I just got an epidual injection to stave off the extreme pain in the lower back and legs to get me thru this surgery, usually lasts 6 months. But that injection does nothing for the knee, only helps nerve issues. I do have a lot of hospital type equipment at home, and my commode is a high rise, and also have the riser seat, walker, bars to put on either side of the commode to aid in getting up, cane, transfer bench for the bath tub and a chair to put in the tub with a back on it. Not sure how all that is going to help me in this case, just glad I do have it.

I have so many questions to ask until I go to write them, mind then goes blank. I am just glad I found this forum and all of you good people who have responded.

So any suggestions of any type will be greatly appreciated and when a question pops in my mind.....have to make myself write it down to ask if its not answered already.

craftylady

 

[calling_all_angels]

I used mens sweatpants (they have pockets) all you have to do is take the elastic out of the cuff. The legs are made roomer for manly muscles LOL
^i^

 

[calling_all_angels]

Lady-C,
It sounds like you have the right stuff at home. A walker would be good but they should have that at rehab for you. And I have a feeling that what ever you are useing when you go home they will send it with you. I do believe that when you leave rehab you could be using a cane. But ask away I will be glad to share what little I know. LOL Very little but I will share it.
^i^

 

[craftylady]

Thank you for the mens pants with pockets idea.....I had not even given that a thought, got to have my pockets, And I am a seamstress/crafter/quilter....so altering anything is easy for me..... trying to figure out what I do need before I go on a shopping trip....I know all my slippers are pull on.....do not think this will work, and cannot do scuffs, so have a mission there too....as the sockies are kind of slippery on hospital floors, but oh so warm to sleep in....

I am just amazed at this forum. I have an online widows support group, and I thought we were helpful to each other, this is great.

Thanks.....

 

[calling_all_angels]

Lady-C,
Sockslippers are ok because here when you wake-up after surgery you have them on.
Have you seen these? They have rubber stuff on the bottom to keep you from slipping.
^i^

 

[Josephine]

I have not been able to get into this site since I posted the first questions.

What was the problem, lady? PM me ...

 

[Simon]

Craftylady

For PT they really prefer you were shorts as they need to see how the knee is moving and they usually do alot of hands on massage/manual therapy so shorts work best. In the house, I lived in sweats. I was wearing shorts to PT even as it turned to winter in Vermont (like single digits), I just put sweats on top and took them off when I got there.

A couple of other things since you are alone. If your pots and pans are in bottom cabinets, take out what you use frequently and leave on top of the stove. Leave out a couple of sets of dinnerware as well. It is just easier not to have to bend or reach for stuff at the beginning. If you are using a walker make sure you have something with lots of pockets that you can hang on the front of it. Since you sew this should be easy to do. I am not talented in that area so I bought something that carpenters use on their belts, had lots of pockets and was easy to attach.


Simon

 

[JudyS]

Craftylady
See if your hospital or even a neighboring one offers a joint replacement class. Lots of useful infor there.
I had a hip replacement last June and extensive back surgery last month. One item I could not live without is a reacher grabber. Rehab should show you one. You like to be prepared. I ordered mine on line, but just saw them at CVS (drug store) last week.
Some of us hippies have lots of bending restrictions, so it really helps for anything on the floor. After this back surgery it helps for even things on a chair as I can barely bend at all

Judy

 

[craftylady]

Thank you Simon and Judy for your input. always helps when others that have been there, done that, can suggest things.

I did get a booklet from the surgeon with lots of suggestions for around the house, and too much info and graphics on the surgery, would rather have had more of the info such as this forum has given me. I do have a grabber, have had it a long time, as I cannot stretch due to the spinal stenosis in my back, so some of my home is set up not to be stretching.

Also in the process of making a walker bag to hang from the walker for useful items. I know this is a must. I just wish they would call with the surgery date as well as the other dates they need me to do something. Makes it much better when you know when and how much time you have to prepare. I hope i can help someone else when the time comes.

craftylady