Looking forward to my TKR with anxiety

[AZgirl]

Hi! I'm a newbie who just recently scheduled TKR for 9-9-09 (does that sound lucky!) and I am having lots of anxiety about it. We picked Sept. to coincide with my husband's vacation so he would be able to take care of me for 10 days. I am so scared really but I am distracting myself by trying to get organized and prepared. I was wondering about what equipment you guys and girls think I should have. Is it worth the money to buy a Cyro-cuff and the pump? Do I need a toilet extender if I have a tall comfort-height ADA toilet? What about a Continuous Passive Movement machine? Does the insurance usually cover any of this? Is an exercise bike part of the PT?

I have been doing an daily hour of swimming and water aerobics to prepare, and have only just worked myself up to doing 15 minutes on an exercise bike (I couldn't do even 5 minutes at first). I used to walk for exercise daily till a year ago when I had to stop because the pain was too severe. Now I can manage maybe 4 - 5 blocks but that's it. I had my injury and torn ligament surgery at age 23 and now I'm 65, and I had many good years before arthritis set in. Now the left knee is bone on bone and showing damage to the bone. The right one isn't too bad--any advice on how to keep it from deteriorating like the other, or maybe that's not possible. As you can tell, I have lots of questions, so please write back on any of them! I'd really like to hear anyone's input!

 

[Linda2]

Welcome AZgirl! Ice will become your dear friend and companion and most people think a cryo cuff or some other ice machine is well worth it. My toilet is ADA height, but I really had trouble getting off with no bars around it anywhere, so my husband put the portable toilet thing over the bowl and it was really great. At night he put it near the bed so I didn't have so far to go. I really appreciated that the first couple weeks. Riding a bike is a big help in recovery, but there are separate pedal things that you can use that cost much less.

It's good you are working on getting stronger ahead of time, it will definitely make things easier for you.

Congratulations on your decision, and keep the questions coming.

 

[Chaco]

Welcome! I am just 7 weeks out, and can answer some of your questions. Regarding the cryo cuff and the CPM machine, my doctor has all of his patients sent home with both of these. I had the CPM for 3 weeks at home. Insurance covered it. I did splurge on the cryo cuff pump because it just made icing efficient. So, you should check with your doctor about those.

For at home, the toilet handles were a must for a few weeks. I also have an ADA toilet and that was fine with the handles. A shower stool is a must-have.

Sounds like you are on top of things! It is not easy by any stretch, but I am glad that I went ahead and did this.

 

[Texas]

Hi AZ and Welcome...To the equipment, the cuff yes, the CPM machine ins should pay some Drs dont use it but if does ins should cover it. The toilet seat I got mine at the hospital with the walker ins paid as well.........Dont worry really sounds like you have been thru enough. I know you will be fine and be happy you did it....not a great subject but stool softeners. Because of the pain medicine you will need them. Other then that if someone else can add. Oh ice packs plenty of those you will need to ice it alot..You will be happy you did this. It will be a lil tough at first but do what the Dr says and you will be ok. Please post anytime, let us know how you are doing or if you have any questions. We have all been there so we would be there for you......Hang in there. just take care of what you need to and relax.........again welcome...other will post with their great ideas as well...........Good Luck to you......

 

[Joyan6642]

Hello Azgirl.
Glad you decided to post here. This is a great place for info and to just blow off steam when you are climbing the wall. My surgery was on Feb. 12, 09. One of these things I needed was the toliet thing over the toliet. ( The bars to help me get up) My insurance paid for my cpm. Did not have a cryo. I did learn a lot from reading the post here. one of the main things is make sure you have stool softener. Pain meds make this a special need. I also set myself up inthe spare room. To make sure my hubby did not touch my knee and so he could sleep when I could not. ( That seems to be a problem for everyone.) Books to read, TV, Lotions, ect..

Please read and post any and all questions you may have. Someone will have an answer.

 

[Josephine]

Welcome to BoneSmart, AZgirl! Don't worry about being anxious>terrified. We've all been there and it's partially excitement at getting your knees sorted at last but the rest is definitely fear of the unknown.

As for the cryo-cuff, it would be a great investment but don't bother to get the one with the pump! I did and I never used it. The gravity fed Aircast Cryo-Cuff is perfectly adequate as you'll find once you have a cold wrap on your knee, you can unplug it from the cannister and be mobile. The cold lasts plenty long enough to be effective for that occasion. All you need to do is fix the empty wrap on your knee and raise the cannister up until the wrap fills enough to be comfortable. And that's it! I would also recommend making super large ice blocks with 20oz plastic tumblers. They last a lot longer than normal ice cubes, up to 24hrs, and you can keep a pile in the freezer for future use. I used to have 6 on the go and would put three in each time.

If you already have a tall(ish) toilet, then don't bother with the riser. The exercise in flexion will be good for you! But get the frame thing to go around the toilet so you have arms to lever yourself up. You don't need one with a seat. Mine was similar to this

Unless you have a shower, something to help you get into and out of the bath would be good. I shower in my bath, so used a simple bath board. You can sit on it and then swing your legs in! Or lift them in, rather! I found the leg lifter (invisible dog lead!!!) invaluable for this. You can get them on Ebay at a good price.

CPMs - depends upon the surgeon. Mine wasn't convinced that they actually achieved anything and that they even deterred the patient from doing "proper" exercises! Tis true, overuse of a CPM can result in activity with no muscle building so beware of that. You can't not exercise and build up your muscles - they are an important facet of the success of your operation. And CPMS dont exercise you muscles - that's why they are called continuous passive motion.

Exercise bikes are the essential element of rehab. And upright one witll give you a nice overall toning as well as getting that flexion increased. Get one for home if you can. Doesn't have to be fancy, just there and used!

Finally, make sure you get your OS and/or PCP primed ready to give you pain killers for afterwards. You'll need something strongish for the few 3-6 weeks btu should be able to tail off those around then. Everyone's different.

And bully for you to be doing exercises pre-op. Makes a HUGE amount of difference, let me tell you!

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Hi AZGIRL, Welcome,I like that date,I am getting ready for my revision on my left leg on the 23 so I have been busy makeing dinners to put in the freezer knowing my hubby it would be pizza everynight.So as of now I do have a month worth and there are a couple of things I still want to make. If you have rugs that you can trip on to be on the safe side pack them away, when you are useing your walker put one of thoses bags that everyone is now useing on the handle this way you can put your phone and any thing else that you may need this keeps your hands free. The first time I was in the hospital I had a bottle of hand anti-bacterial by my bedside so that anyone that came to see me could wash their hands and when you get home keep it by the bedside toilet and the most important dont forget extra batteries for the remote its something when you are in bed and the batteries die and hubby isnt home to change the tv! Ok I have a question for you since your name is AZGIRL do you live in AZ? We are going to move out there when hubby retires we have been looking at Chandler and Queen Creek,Talk to you sooni

 

[sykeRN]

Hi AZGIRL---I'm 61 and having my LTKR on August 10. In fact I have my pre surgery appointments already scheduled for me. I can't believe this is coming up so quickly. I also am thinking about equipment to get--however since I have been reading this forum for over a year I've had a good idea concerning the items most folks find essential. I've gotten so much information on this forum and feel truly grateful (I now have joined). I know that you will find super info on this forum---start to read old threads which deal with things that you are interested in before surgery.

I also have been doing pool aerobics and strenthening exercises for 60 minutes per day---it feels so good to be in the pool. I'm on Molokai Hawaii as I write this---for the past 5 weeks (we live here on and off for about 4 months per year--Virginia is our home) and are leaving on Friday. My surgery will be in Roanoke Virginia-OS uses computer assisted surgery for better joint alignment. When I get back home I will continue lots of quad strenthening---as suggested by many forum members. I do as much exercise as my bad left knee will take--it usually hurts alot all the time-but I push onward to prepare for this major surgery. I can't wait to get back to a very active lifestyle.

Best of luck with everything. Hope we will talk soon. We will do some recovery time together coming up! Nancy

 

[Texas]

Wow Tooyoung where we you when I was getting ready....LOL.. Those are some great ideas your totally right...
Hi Nancy, The pool is so great to do before surgery . I did it. We will all be here for you both. Any questions anytie. Someone is usually on here. I hope you both come on here when you are recovering as well. Your right terrific people here. helped me tremendously. Good Luck to both and keep us poted......
Actually good luck to all having their surgeries and recovering !!!!!!

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi AZ and Skye!
Welcome to both of you. The sugestions from everyone here are really great. I also found it very helpful to have my bed and easy chair up on risers to make getting up and down easier in the beginning. A set of 4 cost $10 or $12 at Walmart and was well worth the price.
If you can have separate beds it will make sleeping easier for everyone. Getting comfortable and sleeping are challenging for awhile!
Before op exercises are really worth doing.
If your hospital offers a pre-op class, try to go at least a few weeks before your surgery--they'll tell you what to expect and what equipment they'll send you home with.
Keep on asking questions--we're always here to help!
Blessings,
Irene

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to the forum, AZ. You've received excellent advice here. I have only one small thing to add. Wherever you will be sleeping, set yourself up a small table next to the bed where you can have your pain pills, water, and something to eat with the pain meds when you take them on schedule in the middle of the night (I made myself a batch of brownies and cut them into small squares, put them in a tupperware container and it gave me a special treat when I woke up hurting to take those pills in the middle of the night). Staying on schedule with your pain meds is critical!

I did not have one (because I didn't know about them back when I had my knee surgery), but if I had it to do again, I would definitely go for the ice machine. At night especially, I needed ice on my knee all night long to be comfortable.

 

[Linda2]

I want Jamie to make brownies for my upcoming recovery!!! I love brownies. I know my appetite will be pretty much shot after the surgery, but brownies could definitely tempt me!

 

[ed48]

Hi and welcome to this site. It has really been beneficial to me. I am 4 weeks post op from bilateral knee replacement. My Dr. does not use CPM. I do use the cryo-cuffs and they really help. As stated before, ICE is your friend. You really don't need the electric pumps. They work just as well without them. One tip I used was to cut off the tops of a 2 liter plastic bottle, fill with water and freeze. Then invert the frozen bottle into the cryo-cuff and fill with water to the fill line. This keeps the water cold amost a full 24hrs, I make several of these frozen bottles, and then replace each day. It really last longer than ice cubes. Good Luck with your surgery. Waiting is really the hard part. You will do just fine.

 

[AZgirl]

Thank you so much everyone for your encouragement and helpful advice--I learned way more than at the doctor's office! I feel better already, but I will have more questions as time goes on and it gets closer.

 

[cripplenomore]

Dear AZgirl, I was also very anxious about my TKR surgery, but I shouldn't have been. Of course, the surgery itself is the easiest part. You go to sleep and wake up when it's all over. At first, you will feel somewhat weak, but I really didn't have much pain at all! I had a Morphine PCA, but only used it twice. I asked them to take it out the next day, which is when they got me up with a walker. My old pain was gone!
That was over 3 weeks ago. As I passed each self-imposed milestone, I mentally celebrated. By milestones I mean getting off the bedpan (2nd day), being able to get up to use the bathroom myself (a few days later), getting my first shower, etc. Small things, but you start to feel more human as you're able to do more for yourself.
Trust your new friends at Bonesmart! That's what I did, and so by the time my surgery came up, I was feeling hopeful instead of dreading it. Just work hard to do your therapy, and you will come out better than ever!
Best wishes, Paula

 

[cripplenomore]

Just wanted to mention one more thing. I did get a raised toilet seat, and it was a God-send! My aunt's house had extremely low toilets, and I really hurt myself when I tried to use it without the raised seat. I had received a commode from my insurance plan - they delivered it to my aunt's house. But, I am 250 lbs, so I requested a larger size commode. They said I had to be 300 lbs, so they sent a standard one. Needless to say it was a tight fit - I could sit on it but not move in any direction. So, I sent my sister out for a seat, and I used my walker to hold on to. It was just so much better to not have to sit so far down. The one I got was molded plastic, and you put up the original seat, and this just sits right on the toilet, then you tighten the knob on the front. I am still using it at my house, and probably will for a few more weeks. I feel I get plenty of flexion exercises at PT and with my daily exercises, so using the seat has been a real help to me. Best wishes, Paula :wub:

 

[Texas]

Az , Boy did I have questions. Please ask anytime....We will all do our best to help. These people have helped me beyond belief and still do..........Hang in there.....