Today has been marginal, personal trainer this morning (we did light work on the knee only) and work all this afternoon. The knee has been complaining somewhat, just got out of a warm bath and now icing. While the discomfort has been irritating, it is part of the healing process, and worth no more comment.
What I did want to comment on was work that should be done to prepare for your convalescence. For the most part it is not expensive and it can be done by anyone handy. I am fortunate in that I have just completed some renovations, and the people who did those were quite happy to come in for a day or 3 to install bars and new toilets.
In at least one bathroom (I would recommend all of them) I would recommend an ADA toilet. They make some seat extensions for regular toilets, but if you are having knee replacement done, a higher toilet will be the gift that keeps on giving. You will also want grab bars for the toilet, grab bars for the shower (outside and inside) and grab bars for the bath. My guys probably installed 25 ft of grab bars in 3 bathrooms. With all that I called them back with a bonus for same day work after my first shower. After getting into the shower using the newly installed bars, I closed the door and suddenly noticed that I was standing in a cube, with a wet floor, using soap (making the floor even slicker) and NOTHING TO HOLD ONTO. 10 ft more of grab bars were installed before my next shower.
I am, like my father and grandfather before him, bull strong in the upper body. I can get in and out of the tub almost completely using the bars and just holding my feet in place. I have bars everywhere now. If whosoever buys this house when we move doesn't like them, they can take them down themselves, they are up for the duration. My wife and I have lived here 20 years, and it is only by the grace of GOD that we haven't fallen getting out of the tub (26 inches deep) without bars previously. I am old enough that such chances don't now bear thinking of.
The renovations included a new front deck, with better rails, and I have put electronic locks on all of the doors. Steps are bad enough, fumbling for keys in the rain while using crutches or a walker? Not worth the 80 bucks for the lock. All of our floors are wood or tile, all the area rugs have been put into storage for the duration. I had several good canes from the time of the accident, I prefer "palm canes". A good set of crutches and/or a good cane will make you feel better about using it, and preclude you trying to get off of it too soon. I have 3 different primary canes, all with different finishes and handles. I have one favorite, but I choose among them each day. I also have, since the accident, kept folding canes in each of the cars for any sort of emergency. I plan on continuing that.
Our furniture had already had the low couch elevated (wooden blocks, with capture points for the legs, quite steady), and any other low furniture culled. I did switch to a chair at the dinner table with arms, something I usually don't like. The aid that the arms give getting to your feet though is worth it.
There are undoubtedly other things, but these (the bars and the toilets) are the most important. I fell once after my surgery, when my walker was caught by a badly misnamed "safety mat". I was very lucky that I wasn't hurt. I don't feel like using my luck up on such a fall a second time. I have other needs for it...<G>
United States
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