I just found out that my right knee replacement was moved from Feb. 19 to Jan.30...next week! I will be in the hospital for 4 days then home. I live way out on a big ranch and will have someone home only in the am and pm's. I went through an achilles tendon repair with out much help but not sure about this surgery. How much hands on help will I need? I could rent a hotel room close in but have dogs to care for. Any advice, Leigh
How much help do I need 5 days post op?
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Gretchendz
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If you spend about 3-4 days in hospital, and have mobility to some degree, I found with both my TKRs that the first 2-4 days it was good to have someone there most of the time. Pretty much all I could manage was one (LONG) trip to the bathroom a couple of times a day. Between that and trying to do my exercises, and taking LOTS of pain meds, I was pretty much an incompetent zombie.
Some doctors will only release you to rehab if you don't have someone with you the first few days round the clock.
Also, with my first, for about a week I needed help lifting my surgical leg to get into bed. I couldn't elevate it due to the nerve block. This varies a lot, and I did not have this problem with my second.
After that, a schedule like you suggest would be fine. You should plan on having them leave you beverages, food, and pills near your bed.
GOOD LUCK
Some doctors will only release you to rehab if you don't have someone with you the first few days round the clock.
Also, with my first, for about a week I needed help lifting my surgical leg to get into bed. I couldn't elevate it due to the nerve block. This varies a lot, and I did not have this problem with my second.
After that, a schedule like you suggest would be fine. You should plan on having them leave you beverages, food, and pills near your bed.
GOOD LUCK
Nursepair
supremo
Welcome Leigh, glad you found us.
Ask for the rehab if possible, you will need a quite lot of help at first. Any chance you have any relations nearby who could stay if you don't get rehab? Get a walker with wheels and a seat rather than crutches if possible, you can use this to carry food and drink and pills around on the seat and it helps increase your stability more.
Go back to old threads to get more info on how people manage too. Lots of info threads but also lots of fun threads to cheer everyone up.Post often...Sue
Ask for the rehab if possible, you will need a quite lot of help at first. Any chance you have any relations nearby who could stay if you don't get rehab? Get a walker with wheels and a seat rather than crutches if possible, you can use this to carry food and drink and pills around on the seat and it helps increase your stability more.
Go back to old threads to get more info on how people manage too. Lots of info threads but also lots of fun threads to cheer everyone up.Post often...Sue
AlaskanTKR
graduate
Leigh,
I consider myself VERY independent but am not sure how you are going to manage. My husbands works remote (fly in mine for 2 weeks away and 1 home) and I thought by the end of week 2 I would be ready for him to leave. HAHAHA. He went up for 1 week and was given some additional time (he had it but due to a shortage he HAD to go back up for the week). I honestly did VERY LITTLE while he was gone. We survived (9 year old daughter) thanks to my sister - in- law or came out and dragged me to PT and helped if I needed ice or stuff from the market. I was never so happy to have my hubby home when he got here. He was able to stay for 2 more weeks which really helped. I know its different since you will have some help but... I had pt the second day I was home and MWF every week after. Just getting there was tough. Also becareful with the dogs. I loved mine but there shear size kept them away from me unless my knee was well protected. They really did better than I thought they would but thank goodness my daughter could handle feeding them and making sure they got out for necessary reasons.
With excellent planning you can pull this off - organize ahead of time and be realistic. Each of us is different so things may be easier for you than me. As long as you have a way to contact someone in case of emergencyI would think you will be fine, just dont forget about getting to PT. That is the most important thing you will do the first few weeks - that and getting ice for that knee!
Best of Luck!
Marianne
I consider myself VERY independent but am not sure how you are going to manage. My husbands works remote (fly in mine for 2 weeks away and 1 home) and I thought by the end of week 2 I would be ready for him to leave. HAHAHA. He went up for 1 week and was given some additional time (he had it but due to a shortage he HAD to go back up for the week). I honestly did VERY LITTLE while he was gone. We survived (9 year old daughter) thanks to my sister - in- law or came out and dragged me to PT and helped if I needed ice or stuff from the market. I was never so happy to have my hubby home when he got here. He was able to stay for 2 more weeks which really helped. I know its different since you will have some help but... I had pt the second day I was home and MWF every week after. Just getting there was tough. Also becareful with the dogs. I loved mine but there shear size kept them away from me unless my knee was well protected. They really did better than I thought they would but thank goodness my daughter could handle feeding them and making sure they got out for necessary reasons.
With excellent planning you can pull this off - organize ahead of time and be realistic. Each of us is different so things may be easier for you than me. As long as you have a way to contact someone in case of emergencyI would think you will be fine, just dont forget about getting to PT. That is the most important thing you will do the first few weeks - that and getting ice for that knee!
Best of Luck!
Marianne
Leigh, welcome to BoneSmart.
I'm pretty much in your position - surgery any time soon (hopefully) and no-one home to help me. No, not no-one at all! Neighbour might pop in now and again to make sure I'm not unconscious or dead, bless her, but my only near relative is waiting for a THR herself so she's also in our boat! Perhaps we should move in together and at least then we'd have one pair of good legs between us!
Hope you manage to get something sorted.
I'm pretty much in your position - surgery any time soon (hopefully) and no-one home to help me. No, not no-one at all! Neighbour might pop in now and again to make sure I'm not unconscious or dead, bless her, but my only near relative is waiting for a THR herself so she's also in our boat! Perhaps we should move in together and at least then we'd have one pair of good legs between us!
Hope you manage to get something sorted.
Weezy
graduate
Hi Leigh...welcome to the friendliest and most understanding bunch of people in the world!
I'm in for my second TKR on 1/29. After my first, hubby was home for the first week--I got home on a Sunday after 4 days, and he returned to work a full week later. I was amazed at how helpless I was for the first few days! I probably wouldn't have bothered to eat at all if he didn't fix and bring me things (I couldn't get up and down from the kitchen chairs--no arms). By the time he did go to work, I was OK to get in and out of bed just fine, and felt stable enough to even shower while he was gone. Fortunately, my stepson is home from school at 3 every day and he made sure I had something to eat.
The BEST thing to get: I call it a "dog leash" but its really a leg-lifter most commonly used for hip replacement folks. Its a stiff thing with an open loop in the end to put your foot into and then you use it to raise and lower your leg. It made getting in and out of bed by myself possible--and it only cost $10!!! At the hospital therapist for one if they don't automatically bring it.
I second the advice about going to rehab for a few days if you can. The difference in how you feel 4 days after surgery versus 10-14 days after surgery is really amazing--even though at 14 days you still feel pretty awful!
Weezy
I'm in for my second TKR on 1/29. After my first, hubby was home for the first week--I got home on a Sunday after 4 days, and he returned to work a full week later. I was amazed at how helpless I was for the first few days! I probably wouldn't have bothered to eat at all if he didn't fix and bring me things (I couldn't get up and down from the kitchen chairs--no arms). By the time he did go to work, I was OK to get in and out of bed just fine, and felt stable enough to even shower while he was gone. Fortunately, my stepson is home from school at 3 every day and he made sure I had something to eat.
The BEST thing to get: I call it a "dog leash" but its really a leg-lifter most commonly used for hip replacement folks. Its a stiff thing with an open loop in the end to put your foot into and then you use it to raise and lower your leg. It made getting in and out of bed by myself possible--and it only cost $10!!! At the hospital therapist for one if they don't automatically bring it.
I second the advice about going to rehab for a few days if you can. The difference in how you feel 4 days after surgery versus 10-14 days after surgery is really amazing--even though at 14 days you still feel pretty awful!
Weezy
Thank all of you for your messages. It's nice to know someone is out there who has been there. I live on a 16 thousand acre ranch(33 miles to town) with a wonderful cowboy at one end and my husband and I at the other end. My husband works out of town and my kids work and live in town. My son is more than willing to have me but they are in the midst of remodeling but do have a freshly painted empty spare bedroom. Not even a bed.They have access to a twin Ha! How about a nearby hotel with a handicapped room for the first week post hospital? Expensive but maybe better that a stinky spare room? This is happening so soon I can't get my mind around it. Am terrified.
Does anyone think on week 2 I could function minimally at home with help am & pm?
When will I be able to drive myself? Or a least get myself off the ranch where someone could take me to PT
I will go back through the old posts (this is my first time messaging anyone so any hints?)Sorry for rambling on so. Thanks everyone,Leigh
Does anyone think on week 2 I could function minimally at home with help am & pm?
When will I be able to drive myself? Or a least get myself off the ranch where someone could take me to PT
I will go back through the old posts (this is my first time messaging anyone so any hints?)Sorry for rambling on so. Thanks everyone,Leigh
Weezy
graduate
Is your hospital connected with or can they recommend a rehab facility? Lots of folks do that if they either live alone or have extraordinary circumstances like yours. That would probably beat a stinky spare room or even a hotel room. The down side of a hotel room is--how will you eat? Will your kids be able to come several times a day to help?
Chatting with your doctor might be a place to start. Does your hospital have a pre-admission process? If it does, that would be a good time to ask about rehab and let people know that you have some extraordinary circumstances.
I really understand how things feel overwhelming! But one thing I did learn is that there really ARE people who can and will help--and speaking up at the hospital and to the doctor are probably the best places to start.
Weezy
Chatting with your doctor might be a place to start. Does your hospital have a pre-admission process? If it does, that would be a good time to ask about rehab and let people know that you have some extraordinary circumstances.
I really understand how things feel overwhelming! But one thing I did learn is that there really ARE people who can and will help--and speaking up at the hospital and to the doctor are probably the best places to start.
Weezy
edk
senior
I think Marianne was right on. Barring something unforseen with planning it should be OK. Have an adequate supply of meals which won't need more than microwaving. Try
and get a comfortable sofa/bed close to the bathroom. Plenty of ice in the freezer.
The bathroom equiped so you can deal with it....
Also, at 5 days you'll still be on anticoagulants so either you're going to have visits to draw blood or have to get yourself to a clinic every couple of days.
And have someone you can call in an emergency
Gretchendz
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As for driving, I did not drive until after 6 weeks with each knee. Others have driven sooner & I could have if I really needed to, but if you are still taking much pain meds, you really shouldn't.
Hubby came home early from work to drive me to PT.
As you read through old posts, you'll see most of us strongly recommend taking pain meds about an hour before PT. You will be able to get through it better. But if you take the pain meds, you shouldn't drive.
At week two I was able to function without someone there 24/7. Bed on main floor. Food and beverage and pain meds set up by bed.
This is a major surgery with a tough recovery--but it is worth it
Hubby came home early from work to drive me to PT.
As you read through old posts, you'll see most of us strongly recommend taking pain meds about an hour before PT. You will be able to get through it better. But if you take the pain meds, you shouldn't drive.
At week two I was able to function without someone there 24/7. Bed on main floor. Food and beverage and pain meds set up by bed.
This is a major surgery with a tough recovery--but it is worth it
Linda2
post-grad
I had surgery on a Monday, came home on Friday. My husband was able to go back to work full time on Tuesday of the next week, but he could have come home if I had called for him. I would not have liked to be alone before then--even then I was a bit uneasy, but all was well. It really isn't easy until you can get your leg back up in bed on your own.
CalKatya
new member
Hi,
God speed on your recovery after surgery !I'm scared too, with my RTKR scheduled for Feb 17th, I just postponed it to March 10th, even though I had a sucessful LTKR 4 yrs ago. I had to have gum surgery one side two weeks ago and the other last week and while recovering from that my knee hasn't bothered me hardly at all and with the unseasonably warm mid 70's temperture most of Jan here in Northern Calif. I have been out doing yard work that used to cause painful repurcusions, but not now.
Anyway this has caused me to re-think the timing of my knee surgery . I'm having more money problems than pain and worring about the additional loss of work during post surgery, will make things worse in the money dept. So it goes. I know what to expect from having it done before and not looking forward to the torture sessions of PT, but know they work for the good and the outcome is all good.
I too have no one to help with aftercare other than meals delivered the first week and a couple neighbors I just met who said they were disabled nurses and could help some. I still am trying to line up some Skilled Nursing Facility like I had for 10 days after my LTKR which helped me immensly, but have to find one that takes Blue Cross Smart Value Classic that has $0. cost for that. Have made some calls, but the person I got didn't know about insurance questions. With a little more time hope to get this all nailed down.
We all need peace of mind going into this and this forum has been very helpful in that arrea. Good Luck to all.
God speed on your recovery after surgery !I'm scared too, with my RTKR scheduled for Feb 17th, I just postponed it to March 10th, even though I had a sucessful LTKR 4 yrs ago. I had to have gum surgery one side two weeks ago and the other last week and while recovering from that my knee hasn't bothered me hardly at all and with the unseasonably warm mid 70's temperture most of Jan here in Northern Calif. I have been out doing yard work that used to cause painful repurcusions, but not now.
Anyway this has caused me to re-think the timing of my knee surgery . I'm having more money problems than pain and worring about the additional loss of work during post surgery, will make things worse in the money dept. So it goes. I know what to expect from having it done before and not looking forward to the torture sessions of PT, but know they work for the good and the outcome is all good.
I too have no one to help with aftercare other than meals delivered the first week and a couple neighbors I just met who said they were disabled nurses and could help some. I still am trying to line up some Skilled Nursing Facility like I had for 10 days after my LTKR which helped me immensly, but have to find one that takes Blue Cross Smart Value Classic that has $0. cost for that. Have made some calls, but the person I got didn't know about insurance questions. With a little more time hope to get this all nailed down.
We all need peace of mind going into this and this forum has been very helpful in that arrea. Good Luck to all.
Rowdy66
graduate
Hey, Leigh, Glad you found the forum. I am a 67 year old woman who is used to taking care of everyone. I had both knees done at the same time about 8-9 months ago and came home from the hospital on the sixth day, would have come home on the fourth but needed transfusions and had an allergic reaction to the first one. Normally when you have both knees done they want you to go into a physical therapy inpatient facility but my OS felt I would be fine coming home. We live out in the boonies and have six dogs, one of which was new at the time as my husband and son had rescued a puppy off the freeway while I was in the hospital. I was using a walker the first week but still managed to do the laundry, take care of feeding the dogs, two of whom have to be cooked for. So I was, also, doing the cooking starting the second day I was home. My oldest son lives with us so I did have him here all the time for moral support and in case I got into a pickle but for the most part I did well. My husband had taken three weeks of family leave so he was here as well, however, I would have felt comfortable staying by myself. We don't have any stairs so that helped. I think it is something you will have to play by ear when the time comes. Is there someone near you could call if you felt you needed them? For the first few weeks you really are mostly just resting and taking care of yourself. When I tell you what I could do I don't want to mislead you, the meals I fixed were very simple and my son carried everything for me so I did no lifting. Between naps and doing the exercises you will need to do and icing and elevating your leg anything else you find you can do is just icing on the cake. I would advise against doing what I did, on days when I felt really good I did way too much and then paid for it for several days afterward. This is a major, major surgery. I had a hysterectomy in 1997 and this surgery makes that surgery in comparison seem like a tonsillectomy. The most important thing you can do is take good care of yourself while trying to stay as active as you can. I found that one hard to do, I either did too much or couldn't do enough cause I did too little. Try to remember that it takes a couple of weeks before you begin to see results. You will still have pain but it will be different and I thought better, at least I knew the end result would be I could have my life back soon. Everyone recuperates at a different pace, there is no formula that will tell you in advance how you are going to be. I thought that my age would make it harder for me than say someone in their 40's and I found that wasn't necessarily so. There were a lot of people who were a lot younger than I am who had a harder time than I did. The best thing that we all had going for us, or one of the top three was finding this site. The support from Jo and the others who had had surgery were incredible and I will never forget any of them. They were there at all hours of the day and night to answer questions and be supportive. I am sure I would have driven my OS and his office staff crazy had it not been for this site. I wish you luck with your surgery and will keep you in my prayers. I hope you continue to post here and will be sure to keep an eye out for your posts. Good luck. Rowdy PS. Don't let what anything I said discourage you, this surgery, literally, gave me back my life. After two years of incredible bone on bone pain and barely being able to walk I now can do just about anything I want to do and for the most part I am completely painfree. I think 99% of the people who have this surgery would tell you the same thing.
dovcar2000
member
Hi and Welcome....gosh I would say you need help...
There is no way I could have made it at home without my sweet hubby. You are so sore and it is nearly impossible to get around by yourself...
So do try and get some help ....good luck...Carol
There is no way I could have made it at home without my sweet hubby. You are so sore and it is nearly impossible to get around by yourself...
So do try and get some help ....good luck...Carol
CalKatya.....sounds like you are doing a good job being proactive. I agree that an inpatient facility after your hospital stay would be the best bet. I hope it works out for you! Hang in there and keep us up to date on your plans. Everyone here will be rootin' for you and we'll provide support for you.
belldawg
new member
I had a LTR eight weeks ago today. Had surgery on Monday and came home on Thursday. My daughter stayed with me until the next Tuesday. Once I went to the Dr. that day and had my staples removed (and could shower) I told my daughter to go home as I could take care of myself. I had cooked meals presurgery and froze them, so all I had to do was microwave them. She came over once or twice a week for a couple of weeks and helped with the laundry and housework. She also bought groceries for me which helped. I went back to work at 6 weeks.
One thing I found that helped me a whole lot in moving my leg was using a cane to "hook" my leg and move it such as in and out of bed.
Good luck and you will be so glad you had this done. I was one of the lucky ones and had very little pain, even in PT. I hope you are so fortunate.
Barbara
One thing I found that helped me a whole lot in moving my leg was using a cane to "hook" my leg and move it such as in and out of bed.
Good luck and you will be so glad you had this done. I was one of the lucky ones and had very little pain, even in PT. I hope you are so fortunate.
Barbara
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