Help with Double Knee Replacement Recovery

[JerryH]

Hi, my wife is having double knee replacement in 2 weeks. She is 61 years old and has several other health issues (diabetic, high blood pressure, heart tumor, etc.). Her doctor says that both of her knees are so bad that doing one at a time isn't an option. I am looking for advice and tips on how to make the recovery as easy as possible. We live in a tri-level so stairs are a concern. She will be able to stay on one level except for going in and out of the house.
Is a hospital bed a good idea? How about one of those chair that power lift you up to get out of them or a platform for a recliner? Tricks for making stairs easier? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to the forum, JerryH! You will receive many suggestions to your situation, I'm sure. Just a few from me:

The therapist should show your wife how to go up and down stairs before leaving the hospital. With both knees done at the same time, she may have a difficult time of it for a while, so it is good that she can stay on one level for a while. She shouldn't need to go out of the house for some time - insist on home health physical therapy for as long as you can get it.

Get an icing machine (two if you can since she will need it on BOTH knees). Sometimes hospitals provide them and they may be covered by your insurance. If you don't have that, you'll need LOTS of ice packs because icing and elevating the knees is critical.

I didn't use a recliner or power chair, but that might be helpful. I only had one knee done and was able to use the walker to lift me from chairs or the potty. I suggest a toilet seat riser, though with arms to use to stand.

Get stool softeners!!! The pain medications make this a VERY necessary item!!!

Have some meals ready and in the freezer to make it easier on both of you.

Keep a note pad of when pain meds are taken so that you stay on schedule. If you wait to take the next dose until you hurt, you've waited too long and it makes recovery more difficult.

Your wife is lucky to have you to care for her!!! I wish you both the best and post any time you have a question or concern. We'll all be rootin' for you both!

 

[hess]

Jerry,
I had my LTKR in June, and am getting my RTKR on Wednesday. I insisted on the hospital bed this time around because it was such a HUGE help the last time! My husband leaves for work early in the morning, and our bedroom is on the second floor. There was no way unless he got me up in the morning with him, because I had to get the CPM machine in place! So, for this reason, the hospital bed worked wonderfully for me!

I too recommend an ice machine! It was WONDERFUL. I was given a hint this time around, though. I was told to freeze 12oz bottles of water, then use 2 of them instead of ice in the machine. I was told to go ahead and fill with water like I am supposed to. I hope this works, I have a 7lb bag of ice just in case!!

I'll post other things as I remember them, but the stool softener is a definate!!

Good luck,
Hess

 

[Judles]

Welcome Jerry H! What a sweetheart you are for wanting to get as much info as you can in preparation for your wife's bilat surgery!
Wishing you both all the best!!! Keep posting! And best of good luck!

 

[RickB]

Jerry,
Fist of all, this is great that you are being so involved in your wife’s BTKR! I went through mine, August ’08 and my wife was with me the whole way. This was a HELL of an operation and I wish the best for your wife. She will need you constantly for the first two weeks then, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. What I did to get ready for my BTKR, with the help of my wonderful wife, was to get an ice machine. I got a Donjoy Iceman with a Y so I could ice both knees at the same time. The Y hooks the Iceman up to two pads, the Iceman also has a temperature control so you can start off at 50 degrees and then lower it to 32. We then build a platform for my recliner to raise it off the floor 4 and ½ inches, got a toilet riser with handles. I hope you have a walk in shower, this is almost a must. You will need a seat for it. My wife and I had walkie-talkies so I could get in touch with her if I needed something. The first week home I used a walker and slept in the recliner. The second week I switched to a cane and moved to the bed. My wife went to the guest room. During the third week life started to get back to normal and my wife and I slept in the same bed. I was also able to get rid of the cane and was pretty much on my own. I am 63 years young, 6’, weigh 180lbs and been married to that wonderful wife for 45 years. Jerry good luck to you guys and please give the care and understanding that she will need.

God Bless,
Rick

 

[Josephine]

Well, I doubt there's much I could add to that except to advise you get your pain meds all organised beforehand. You may need plenty on hand and keeping a record of when you've taken them as Jamie suggested is good. You might also get into the doldrums of depression - most people do - so keep a journal with details of how you feel and your pain score on a 0-10 basis. It will help when you reach that point that this seems to be going on forever, to look back and realise how much things have improved.

I'd also recommend at least a recliner chair. Many people have said they spent their 'lives' in theirs. But get an electric one, preferable one with a remote control as the buttons on the side are difficult to reach when you're lying down!

BTW welcome to BoneSmart! Keep posting so we can cheer you on!

 

[Max Wallace]

Your wife will most likely go to a rehab facility for two weeks after surgery, with both done at once she will need all the help she can get. When she leaves there she sould be walking with a walker and been instructed how to handle most obsticles. An adjustibe toilet raiser, recliner, shower seat are a must I also had a piece of 4" foam rubber that I put into a pillow case to carry with me, I put it in every seat I sat in for about 3 weeks. pay very close attention to the pain meds, if you stay ahead of the pain it is better than trying to catch up. there are lots of different combinations and you DR. should work with you to find the right ones for your wife. The first two weeks the pain can be the biggest obsticle to overcome. I had BI-TKR on Noverber 13th, 2008. PT is the most important part of recovery, it will hurt even with pain meds but it is necessary for a full recovery. i can't stress the importance of controlling the pain because that is the key to good PT and a swift recovery depends on being able to bend and bear weight.

Good luck!

Max

 

[cheryl50]

Hi Jerry,
I had both my knees done 3 weeks ago. I was in the hospital for 4 days and came right home. My boyfriend of 20 years came home from Florida ( he winters there) for 2 weeks to "help" me. He resented having to come home and it really worse then being alone. You are a very sweet man and your wife is a lucky woman!
Luckily I found this board and got myself very prepared ahead of time with all the great tips I got here.
You can not do without the toliet seat and shower seat. I got a twin size memory foam topper and covered it with a sheet and placed it in my recliner. I also bought a throw size electric blanket which I use in recliner. I was able to sleep at night in the bed, but bought a velex blanket at walmart that is extremely light weight but also very warm. I can not stand the weight of all my covers on my legs and this worked out well. Ice and pain control are very important too. Your wife might be more confortable in the capri length workout pants they sell at walmart. they slip on and you can get to the knees with ice etc. easily. They only cost about $8 and are very confortable.
I really only need the extra help for 3-4 days. After that you will most likely just have to help out getting meals. Good luck and God bless both of you!
I am already happy to have done this. That deep OA pain is gone and I am amazed everytime I get up and walk around. I just need to take the time and heal up and I'll be back to my active happy life. ( and maybe a new boyfriend!) Cheryl

 

[calling_all_angels]

Cheryl50,
I always heard that God had a sense of humor. But a BTKR to get it throught to you that your boyfriend is a J__K????????? Dang girl you must not have been listening in the last 20 years for him to have to do this for you to listen!!! LOL
^i^

 

[Judles]

OK Calling! What are we missing out here,,,,what is a J_K? I can fill in my own blanks! But was wondering what YOU meant! LOL!! ;)

 

[calling_all_angels]

Geeee whizzzzzz I only left out the e&r. I was trying to nice!!!! LOL
^i^

 

[Jamie]

Hi Jerry,
I had both my knees done 3 weeks ago. I was in the hospital for 4 days and came right home. My boyfriend of 20 years came home from Florida ( he winters there) for 2 weeks to "help" me. He resented having to come home and it really worse then being alone. You are a very sweet man and your wife is a lucky woman!

I am already happy to have done this. That deep OA pain is gone and I am amazed everytime I get up and walk around. I just need to take the time and heal up and I'll be back to my active happy life. ( and maybe a new boyfriend!) Cheryl

Hi, Cheryl....boy, sounds like you need to rethink that relationship! Twenty years of "boyfriending" and he spends winters in Florida without you??? Once your knee muscles are stronger, you'll easily be able to give him the boot if you decide to. Go, girl!!! You are on the brink of a wonderful new life here! Enjoy it!! It sounds like you are doing just fine in recovery.

 

[cheryl50]

Cheryl50,
I always heard that God had a sense of humor. But a BTKR to get it throught to you that your boyfriend is a J__K????????? Dang girl you must not have been listening in the last 20 years for him to have to do this for you to listen!!! LOL
^i^

Hi Angel,
Sometimes it just takes something big to make you notice and put things in perspective. The thing is I have been taking care of him all this time and being a woman I put my needs last (or not even on the list). I have always made excuses for his selfishness.
The funny thing is he thinks he did just fine! He went back to Fla and I won't have to deal with him again until May. It seems my BKR is going to change many aspects of my life for the good!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Cheryl,
Gee isn't that the way it is!!! They do one nice thing and they think they have turned the world on its axis!!! Do you go with him to Florida normaly? I hope that this really has open your eyes to how he has been treating you. But you must have deep feeling for him to put up with his selfishness and one way thinking for 20 years. I have been married 40ty years to his brother!! LOL But aleast I have to wonderful Children (and their spouse's) Plus 5 Great, Wonderful, smart, and beautiful Grandchildren!!!!! (I am just a little proud of my family!!!) Grandchild are Gods little bonus you receive if you let your teenagers live!!! LOL
So please take a good look at where you are and think to yourself is this what you want life to been like in 10 or 20 more years???? Then decide
You are young enough to enjoy alot this world has to offer. Go for the GOLD!!!!!!
^i^

 

[GaryM]

JerryH

I had both done in July 08. Kicked my butt. One of the toughest obsticals is getting up and down on the toliet. So glad my wife was here for me. Just remember everybody heals at a differant rate. Some faster then others. It seemed to take me forever.

If I had to do over again I would have taken the two weeks in the rehab hospital. I needed someone with me for about a month. I couldn't drive and I had to get to rehab. Pain was horrible. I wanted to get off the pain meds asap. I was depressed and didn't want to eat. Just get her up and moving. Don't let her sit in her chair all day. Gotta keep moving.

Though I must say I am very happy now. Knees keep getting better everyday.

 

[aussie]

Hi Cheryl,

I hope as your knees get stronger your self worth does too and you either get him to step up to the mark, (which I doubt he can after 20 years) or you make a really positive decision for yourself, time to put yourself first.

When my kids and their friends have had to let people in their life go for one reason or another, or have been let go, I always tell them a line from a "long ago" song, by Viola Wills. "Got along without you before I met you gonna get along without you now". The sentiment in it is so true. They laugh now and say watch out she'll get out that song again.

Best wishes to you Cheryl.

Chris

 

[calling_all_angels]

Chris,
Now that song is stuck in my head. LOL "Ahh my darling, goodbye my darling, gotta get along without you now." Gee whiz I have not thought of that old song in years. It was a good one!!!

 

[Judles]

OMG!!!! I remember that song,too! Chris,,,,had no idea who sang it though!!

 

[Judles]

Cheryl,,,,,,,what part of Florida??? Doug & I are here!! . And HE's the LAW!!

 

[RickB]

Jerry,
I would like to apologize for Cheryl50/Angel/Judles/Aussie and Jamie (Who really surprised me because she is a moderator) for HI-JACKING your thread. If Cheryl50 wants to talk about her boyfriend she can start her own thread.

Again Jerry, I hope the best for your wife’s upcoming BTKR.

God Bless,
Rick