TKR TKR Nov 12

[westiemom]

I'm having a total knee replacement on my left knee on Nov. 12. This has been a long journey to get to this point, as I have congestive heart failure with a low EF. Finding a surgeon who has a team willing to do this has been a long, depressing road. I am so looking forward to being able to walk again. It's been 4 long years of waiting.

 

[Jockette]

@westiemom Hi and Welcome!

Here’s some pre op information for you:

If you are at the stage where you have joint pain but don't know for sure if you are ready to have surgery, these links may help:
Score Chart: How bad is my arthritic knee?
Choosing a surgeon and a prosthesis
BMI Calculator - What to do if your surgeon says you're too heavy for joint replacement surgery
Longevity of implants and revisions: How long will my new joint last?

If you are at the stage where you are planning to have surgery but are looking for information so you can be better prepared for what is to come, take a look at these links:
Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home
Recliner Chairs: Things you need to know if buying one for your recovery
Pre-Op Interviews: What's involved?

And if you want to picture what your life might be like with a replaced knee, take a look at the posts and threads from other BoneSmarties provided in this link:
Stories of amazing knee recoveries

 

[mendogal]

Welcome @westiemom !
It's a shame so many surgeons are intensely risk-avoidant even when folks explain they understand the risks and are totally willing to assume them.
I'm glad you have a scheduled surgery date and look forward to being part of your support team!

 

[benne68]

Welcome @westiemom, and best wishes for your surgery next week.

Be sure to read through the Recovery Aids article that Jockette shared above. It will help you be better prepared for surgery. And don't hesitate to ask questions. We've been through this surgery and are here to help!

 

[westiemom]

My husband and I have been reading the articles and find them both scary and reassuring. My question is what is best to wear the day of surgery? They are planning on keeping me only one night, but because of my heart, they might keep me longer. I was planning on wearing a sundress (easy on/easy off), but don't know how that would work with the walker and doing whatever PT they show me before I leave. What do you suggest? Short and t shirt? Sweats and t shirt? I'm probably overthinking this whole thing!

 

[benne68]

Wear something loose-fitting that is easy to get on and off, @westiemom. Your PT will involve walking back and forth around the hallways, climbing a short flight of stairs and how to get in and out of a car. I agree with you that a dress might be awkward for the last one!

Know that hospital staff will insist on helping you dress after surgery, so shorts or pants and a tee shirt are fine if the weather there is warm. Just keep in mind that they often keep the hospital rooms quite cool so you might prefer long sweat pants and be sure to have a sweatshirt/sweater to wear over your tee.

What else are you concerned about? I've been through two TKRs, so am happy to discuss any specific concerns you have, as will our other BoneSmart members.

 

[mendogal]

I wore a comfie pull on knit top and pants (very wide leg to accommodate swelling and the initial bulky dressing) for my winter knee; short sleeve T and pull on shorts for my summer knee.
At home I lived in soft pull on bamboo rayon pjs

 

[westiemom]

Thank you everyone for all your comments and reassurances. I have soft satin pj's to wear at home. The weather should be warm about 67 degrees when I leave the hospital. I run hot so a t-shirt will work for me and I think I'll just wear a pair of sweatshirt material shorts. I have some wide legged sweatpants that I might throw in the bag too. Tennis shoes on my feet. We live about an hour away from the hospital so hoping the pain meds work the whole way home.

I'm nervous about the spinal versus general anesthesia. Hopefully they will also add lots of sedative to the mix.

I keep coming back to read about others' recovery stories. They give me hope that this will all go well. We have a trip planned to Scotland in May so hoping I will be able to enjoy walking there.

 

[mendogal]

Re the meds with spinal: if the IV meds used as "sedation" are dosed and monitored properly you'll have no unawareness, but will fully wake up much faster and easier than with a general.
The standard is some combination of propofol, fentanyl, versed. When your anesthesiologist visits you in the preop area, they'll go over this in detail and answer any concerns. They seem to be among the kindest and most patient-centered of the specialists!

 

[benne68]

We live about an hour away from the hospital so hoping the pain meds work the whole way home.

That's a long time for your new knee to be bent. So, we recommend that you sit sideways in the back seat with your leg elevated and with an ice pack on it. Be sure to have a couple of pillows handy to use for support and to help you get comfortable.

nervous about the spinal versus general anesthesia. Hopefully they will also add lots of sedative to the mix.

I was also anxious about spinal before my first joint replacement surgery, but it was amazing! I was out like a light within moments of the anesthesiologist starting my drip and didn't walk up until I was in recovery. And, when I did wake up, I felt great -- none of the dizziness, nausuea or foggy head feeling that I've always had after general.

So don't worry, when you meet him/her right before surgery, tell your anesthesiologist that you want to sleep through the whole thing!

 

[westiemom]

Thanks for the suggestion about the car ride home. I'm going to see how much room I have in the front seat to straighten my leg out. I'm short and my car has quite a bit of room in the front. But I will throw in a few pillows in the back of the car so I can do that if necessary.

My husband is going to stay in the city with me overnight. The surgeon is giving me a nerve block, thinking that will work for me to go home and not be in pain. Maybe the hospital will have an ice pack to give me to go home with.

 

[Layla]

Hi westiemom,
I am with you, I liked reading recovery stories also while awaiting my surgery.

An additional tip for the car is to place a large garbage bag on the seat, which makes it easier for you to swivel into front facing (windshield) position. I did it on my way home from my surgery site. It works really well. Hopefully the hospital will provide you with a large ice pack. If not, an hour ride home isn't too bad, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Wishing you comfort over the weekend and best wishes on Tuesday!
Please join us on the Knee Recovery forum when you're feeling up to it. We will have Recovery Guidelines to share and lots of support to offer.
@westiemom

 

[westiemom]

Thanks - great idea about the large trash bag. One other question to anyone - is it easier to get into a sedan or an SUV? I am short so when getting into the SUV, I need to hop up to get onto the seat. The car is a normal Camry type that is easy to sit down in but may be too low. What do people think about this.

 

[Layla]

Hi again!
I say the Camry will be easier. That's what I'd choose. I believe it will be easier to slide into the seat, without having to lift your leg as you would with the SUV which may be difficult given your limited range of motion. Whichever vehicle you decide on, adjust the seat so your knee is comfortable and if it's a long ride home, consider a break halfway through the drive to stretch and walk around for a couple of minutes.
I hope you sleep well tonight!
@westiemom

 

[InkedMarie]

Good luck on Tuesday! I’d wear a pair of loose pull on shorts or loose pull on capri’s. Some people can’t handle anything on their incision and shorts/capris are easier to pull up, if need be.

Marie

 

[westiemom]

Yeah, I'm planning on bringing very loose pants, long sleeved top and a sweater. I think we will take my little car. We will take along a garbage bag and cushions and we will see if I can get in the front and stretch my leg out. If that doesn't work, I'll lay on the back seat with the pillows. There are no hotels available on the night of my surgery, so DH will be going home and coming back - unless I'm lucky and get a private room.

Doctor has given me xanax for the night before so I don't panic too much. That should help me.

I will be back after the surgery to check in. Do I start a new thread under After the surgery or just keep on writing on this thread?

Thanks to everyone for all their advice and cheers. It is certainly helping keep me sane and under control!

 

[Jockette]

Best Wishes!!

Do I start a new thread under After the surgery or just keep on writing on this thread?

Please start a Recovery Thread after your surgery:

Knee Surgery Recovery Area

For post-operative knee patients, on the "other side"

bonesmart.org

 

[Layla]

Best Wishes tomorrow!
We'll be watching for you on the healing side to support you through recovery. We will have some guidelines to share also. Hope to see you soon!
@westiemom