TKR Preparation for October 2 right knee surgery

[GGsgirls]

I was wondering what other people who are going to have their surgery in September or October have done in advance. I start pre-surgery physical therapy next week for the month. Not sure how many times a week they will have me going.

One thing I have also started doing is putting moisturizing lotion on the area that will hopefully help the skin be in the best shape to minimize scarring. A friend recommended using pure vitamin E oil. Wondered if anyone had any recommendations for that.

Also, a friend whose husband had the same kind of surgery with my surgeon a couple weeks ago highly recommended getting a bed guard rail. It looks like it’s about 18 inches and goes under the mattress up by the pillows to help with getting in and out of bed. It also has a pocket the whole TV, remote, iPad, phone etc. I wondered if anybody had used one of those and had any recommendations.

I also did break down and buy the wedge pillow to keep the leg elevated especially when sleeping. I’ve ordered everything early so I can try it out and send it back if I think it won’t work or I need another size.

On the nutrition front, I have really been trying to eat healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables and especially yogurt for probiotic purposes. I did this many years ago when I had major surgery and it definitely helped.

For icing what did you find was the best solution. Did anybody find an icing machine that really worked? Is the ice supposed to stay on nonstop even at night? My husband will be here, but I don’t know that he’d be too wild about bringing me fresh ice bags all through the night!

I was a bit surprised to find out that my surgery would be outpatient, only take about an hour, and I would be going home the same day. My surgeon is one of the most highly recommended in the area and many of my friends have used him and been thrilled with the results so I am hoping for an equally great outcome.

I’m also hoping since the anesthesia will probably be less than two hours that my brain won’t be as fuzzy. My last surgery was 13 hours and it took me many months to feel sharp again.

Anyway, I’m looking for advice for people who have recently had the surgery. Things that helped and things that were a waste of money.

Thanks and good luck to all of us for great outcomes.

 

[Jaycey]

One thing I have also started doing is putting moisturizing lotion on the area that will hopefully help the skin be in the best shape to minimize scarring. A friend recommended using pure vitamin E oil. Wondered if anyone had any recommendations for that.

No need for this. Just let nature do its thing. Any scar will fade to a very light line in time.

For icing gel packs work well. Get a small cooler to have new packs handy when you are not near a fridge.

Have a read through the knee recovery threads. Lots of tips and information for you.

 

[Mutti3]

@GGsgirls
i use a polar ice machine. Just keep frozen bottles of ice. My machine used bottles /fill water to the line.Kept it on my knee 24/7. My husband manages the ice machine.
You might think about using pillows. Got 4 pillows from Target, put a pillowcase on each and secure them together with safety pins!
Don’t worry about recovery it doesn’t go well they will not send you home. I had a very poor recovery and stay in the hospital for 2 days.
Bed rail, never used. I am 5 days post op. I can get in/out of bed with no difficulty or assist.The hospital Physical therapIst will teach you basic skills.

 

[benne68]

@GGgirls -- If you haven't already, please take a look at this article:

Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home

 

[GGsgirls]

@GGsgirls
i use a polar ice machine. Just keep frozen bottles of ice. My machine used bottles /fill water to the line.Kept it on my knee 24/7. My husband manages the ice machine.
You might think about using pillows. Got 4 pillows from Target, put a pillowcase on each and secure them together with safety pins!
Don’t worry about recovery it doesn’t go well they will not send you home. I had a very poor recovery and stay in the hospital for 2 days.
Bed rail, never used. I am 5 days post op. I can get in/out of bed with no difficulty or assist.The hospital Physical therapIst will teach you basic skills.

My surgery is going to be outpatient and I will be going directly home afterwards with physical therapist coming to my house immediately and I think every day for the first two weeks. Glad to hear you were doing so well five days postop!

 

[mendogal]

Skin care - I have used vit E for decades specifically to reduce scarring from burns, incision lines, etc that are no longer open. Some of us do tend to overproduce external scar tissue; it's very helpful. It's not really needed for general moisturizing.
I daresay if you're same day surgery, as I have had many times, you can discuss with the anesthesiologist avoiding meds that cause retrograde amnesia as they also are the ones that create postop brain fog.

 

[GGsgirls]

Will definitely do that. Has a 13 hr surgery in 2012 and was many months before the fog went away

 

[mendogal]

Will definitely do that. Has a 13 hr surgery in 2012 and was many months before the fog went away

The reason I became very aware of the difference is that on my most recent knee, they used only a spinal and IV fentanyl, plus the local anesthetic in my thigh (attached to a little device with a three to four day supply I wore home!). Previously either propofol or a benzodiazepine had been included but because of my age this anesthesiologist didn't want to use those and yes I woke up quickly and considerably more clear headed.

 

[EalingGran]

I was given an Aircast Cryocuff by the hospital as part of my package.
It is not an expensive electrical ice machine but I found it worked really well for me. The cool cuff would stay cool for quite long periods and the iced water in the reservoir stayed icy overnight.
I would wrap the water jacket round my knee for a 20 minutes session on going to bed and reading. I would then refresh the iced water in the jacket before sleeping and loosen it- just resting my knee on the ice cool jacket on a pillow to go to sleep.
In the early days I would then refresh the water when I woke in the night to go to the toilet. I found the cool water jacket very soothing without being too icy cold to sleep with.

 

[Susieqroo]

In my pre-op instructions, I must change my bed linens and begin washing with Hibiclens (chlorhexidine) soap 5 days before surgery. The night before surgery I must change the bed again and wash very thoroughly with the chlorhexidine, letting it sit on my body for 5 minutes before rinsing. It also said you should be getting 30 grams of protein/day, starting 2 weeks before surgery and continuing 2 weeks after (that's 1 cup of cottage cheese).

 

[Layla]

Best Wishes for your surgery on Monday!
Please join us on the healing side of the forum once you're back home and resting comfortably.
We'll have some Recovery Guidelines to share and lots of support to offer.
Hope to see you there soon!
@GGsgirls

 

[Bigblondelady]

I was wondering what other people who are going to have their surgery in September or October have done in advance. I start pre-surgery physical therapy next week for the month. Not sure how many times a week they will have me going.

One thing I have also started doing is putting moisturizing lotion on the area that will hopefully help the skin be in the best shape to minimize scarring. A friend recommended using pure vitamin E oil. Wondered if anyone had any recommendations for that.

Also, a friend whose husband had the same kind of surgery with my surgeon a couple weeks ago highly recommended getting a bed guard rail. It looks like it’s about 18 inches and goes under the mattress up by the pillows to help with getting in and out of bed. It also has a pocket the whole TV, remote, iPad, phone etc. I wondered if anybody had used one of those and had any recommendations.

I also did break down and buy the wedge pillow to keep the leg elevated especially when sleeping. I’ve ordered everything early so I can try it out and send it back if I think it won’t work or I need another size.

On the nutrition front, I have really been trying to eat healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables and especially yogurt for probiotic purposes. I did this many years ago when I had major surgery and it definitely helped.

For icing what did you find was the best solution. Did anybody find an icing machine that really worked? Is the ice supposed to stay on nonstop even at night? My husband will be here, but I don’t know that he’d be too wild about bringing me fresh ice bags all through the night!

I was a bit surprised to find out that my surgery would be outpatient, only take about an hour, and I would be going home the same day. My surgeon is one of the most highly recommended in the area and many of my friends have used him and been thrilled with the results so I am hoping for an equally great outcome.

I’m also hoping since the anesthesia will probably be less than two hours that my brain won’t be as fuzzy. My last surgery was 13 hours and it took me many months to feel sharp again.

Anyway, I’m looking for advice for people who have recently had the surgery. Things that helped and things that were a waste of money.

Thanks and good luck to all of us for great outcomes.

I’m glad you are think ahead. I used peas and then put them in zip lock bags. I saves a sheet bag and put 2 of the peas in the bag. Drapes nicely and the cost was cheap 4 dollars for 4 bags. I did that last time too. Know the 2nd and third days are your worst. This is going to sound crazy , therapy is your friend. On day 4 for the left
Knee. Don’t sit on anything low. I’ve added pillows to my chair ( I’m a little tall) I got stuck the first evening home. And know it’s going to smart when you first stand. ( every time) when my leg starts aching I do my exercises and it helps.ice ( pea) and stay on top of you meds. Good luck

 

[GGsgirls]

Best Wishes for your surgery on Monday!
Please join us on the healing side of the forum once you're back home and resting comfortably.
We'll have some Recovery Guidelines to share and lots of support to offer.
Hope to see you there soon!
@GGsgirls

Thank you so much. Just got my game ready icing machine and my appointment time which I have to be there at 6:45 AM. Good luck to everyone who is having surgery on the same day.

 

[Dmcfad2]

i use a polar ice machine. Just keep frozen bottles of ice. My machine used bottles /fill water to the line.Kept it on my knee 24/7. My husband manages the ice machine.
You might think about using pillows. Got 4 pillows from Target, put a pillowcase on each and secure them together with safety pins!
Don’t worry about recovery it doesn’t go well they will not send you home. I had a very poor recovery and stay in the hospital for 2 days.
Bed rail, never used. I am 5 days post op. I can get in/out of bed with no difficulty or assist.The hospital Physical therapIst will teach you basic skills.

@Mutti3 Hi, I am curious about your ice machine. I purchased one, too and I wondered how many frozen bottles do you put in it at one time. I know it holds 6, but I’ve seen videos where they only use three.

 

[Mutti3]

My polar pack held 4 bottles. I had a rotation of frozen bottles ! I used it 24/7 x 2 weeks. Now I used frozen gel pack occasionally . It last 20 minutes.

 

[mendogal]

Mine also holds 4 plus add water to the fill line. We had a dozen frozen waters (it's part of our emergency water stash!) so at any time 4 in use with more ready to rotate in.

 

[Dmcfad2]

Thanks. I just froze 12 bottles and will be using 4 at a time.