Knee replacement surgery

1) Follow all the Doctor's advice and make sure someone is with her 24/7 during the first stage who is physically able to assist her.

2) It hurts like a mofo (per Papa Scooterbug who typically has a very high pain threshold re: broken bones, gashes, minor procedures).

3) She won't be able to shower for a certain amount of time, so if you can figure something out to wash her hair etc. that won't get that area wet and is an okay position for her leg, that will make her feel much better.

4) She'll be bored out of her gourd.

Thank you for the info Scooterbug! Much appreciated. I knew I could count on SoWal for advice.

My mother had knee replacement surgery and the best advice that I can give is to make sure she does the Physical Therapy after the surgery. My mother did not follow doctors orders very well with the PT and her knee never was right. I would also recommend getting a transfer bench for your shower. It will make bathing so much easier. I wish your mother a successful surgery and healing!

l

My mother will be having knee replacement surgery soon and I will be helping her through the recovery period.

If you have had this surgery, or know of anyone who has, could you offer any personal advice on the subject?

She is the sweetest little momma, always taking care of everyone else, never wanting to be a burden to anyone. I am not happy she is having surgery, but I am happy I can finally take great care of her and spoil her, and she won't put up a fight.

Thank you so much!

I went to physical surgery prior to the surgery for about 3-5 weeks. Made a big difference in my recovery period. When I could take a shower, the second week I was home, I wrapped my knee with Press and Seal--worked great. I am having the second knee done this fall. I agree with Kathydwells--physical therapy after is mandatory--I went 4 days a week for 5 weeks.

My mother had knee replacement surgery and the best advice that I can give is to make sure she does the Physical Therapy after the surgery. My mother did not follow doctors orders very well with the PT and her knee never was right. I would also recommend getting a transfer bench for your shower. It will make bathing so much easier. I wish your mother a successful surgery and healing!

I'm glad you mentioned the PT as well as the transfer bench. I'll have to bring out a little "Nurse Ratched" to make sure she gets the PT done for sure! She's been in so much pain I want to make sure she heals correctly and feels good again.

Thanks for the advice and kind words!

l

I went to physical surgery prior to the surgery for about 3-5 weeks. Made a big difference in my recovery period. When I could take a shower, the second week I was home, I wrapped my knee with Press and Seal--worked great. I am having the second knee done this fall. I agree with Kathydwells--physical therapy after is mandatory--I went 4 days a week for 5 weeks.

I'll have to check on the physical therapy prior to surgery too, that sounds like a very smart route to go. I have added the Press and Seal to my purchase list. Thank you for your helpful advice, and I wish you well!

My Mother would agree that several weeks of PRE PT in addition to Post PT was critical. In addition to working with a therapist a few days a week post surgery... we also had various exercises that she had to regularly do 2-3 times PER DAY. That is just one place where YOU come in as the cheerleading, keeping-count (and record to share w/ the PT), Nurse Ratchet of correct form!!

We also got Mom a good recumbent stationary bike that she used a couple of times per day as soon as the PT said go. Fives years later, she pretty much keeps this up & especially if she's experiencing pain.

In addition to others' good recommendations here... applying flexible chill packs several times per day w/ leg elevation was critical to keep swelling down & comfort levels up. You can make your own chill packs in the freezer by filling freezer baggies about 1/2-2/3 full of an isopropyl alchohol and water mixture. Think it's a 50/50 blend but the nurses can tell you.

You must get her to drink lots & lots of water. Don't know how your Mom is about hydration... but my Mom hates drinking sufficient quantities of water (I think it harks back to a childhood horror of half-moon house visits:roll.

For showering we used a trash bag with clingwrap top & bottom.

I'm glad you can be there to help her! She will need it and it will be a special time of caring / sharing for the two of you!

I found this while cleaning out my emails - Mama Scooterbug had a minor knee surgery done and thought she would be fine all alone - I thought different and had Canoehead check on her - but still underestimated her stubborness/the procedure.

Hi Scooty,

So you think you know me so well that you call a friend to check on me?!? Well, you are right! I will not admit this to Dad and don't you tell him either but I never should have been alone while recuperating from this surgery since it hasn't gone like Scooterbro's and Dad's did. Everyone said you only need the crutches to get home with then you can walk on the leg and it will be fine. So, I didn't use the crutches enough yesterday; by mid-afternoon I was one hurting puppy and that only got worse - by midnight I was ready to go to Urgent Care but couldn't figure out who I could call and wake up at that time of night to take me! Thankfully, things are better today. I am even going to go to the banquet tonight. Tomorrow I get to take the dressing off and Monday I can take a shower, woohoo!

So, thank you for thinking about me. Canoehead was very nice to call (she had even put together a group of DVDs for me to watch) and I really will call her if the need arises.

Love, Mom

My Mother would agree that several weeks of PRE PT in addition to Post PT was critical. In addition to working with a therapist a few days a week post surgery... we also had various exercises that she had to regularly do 2-3 times PER DAY. That is just one place where YOU come in as the cheerleading, keeping-count (and record to share w/ the PT), Nurse Ratchet of correct form!!

We also got Mom a good recumbent stationary bike that she used a couple of times per day as soon as the PT said go. Fives years later, she pretty much keeps this up & especially if she's experiencing pain.

In addition to others' good recommendations here... applying flexible chill packs several times per day w/ leg elevation was critical to keep swelling down & comfort levels up. You can make your own chill packs in the freezer by filling freezer baggies about 1/2-2/3 full of an isopropyl alchohol and water mixture. Think it's a 50/50 blend but the nurses can tell you.

You must get her to drink lots & lots of water. Don't know how your Mom is about hydration... but my Mom hates drinking sufficient quantities of water (I think it harks back to a childhood horror of half-moon house visits:roll.

For showering we used a trash bag with clingwrap top & bottom.

I'm glad you can be there to help her! She will need it and it will be a special time of caring / sharing for the two of you!

DunAHH, thanks for all of the excellent information. It is helping me to visualize my days and prepare to go into warrior-style helping mode. I swear my mom could live an entire week on one glass of water, so I'll be sure to monitor that carefully, along with the PT and icepacks. Mom & dad have the best, cleanest, coldest well water in the entire northeast, so I'm thinking her lack of interest in water might be right in line with your mom's childhood experiences...?:roll: I'm glad you mentioned that. I will also need to pry the coffee pot out of her hand.

I'm in SoWal and she is in New England, so I'm doing lots of long-distance learning and coordinating until I arrive up there. Thank you again for your words of wisdom and kindness!

Everything everyone said. Make sure she takes her pain meds on schedule. Don't wait until it hurts, pain slows down the healing process.

Definitely the therapy and following Drs orders is very important to how well she will recover. As said hydration is essential, maybe she would prefer flavored water over regular.

Keep a notebook close by to record medications, icing and water. Also write down any questions for the doctor as they come to you. That way when you do see him you won't forget anything you need to ask.

Good luck and healing prayers for her.

I found this while cleaning out my emails - Mama Scooterbug had a minor knee surgery done and thought she would be fine all alone - I thought different and had Canoehead check on her - but still underestimated her stubborness/the procedure.

Hi Scooty,

So you think you know me so well that you call a friend to check on me?!? Well, you are right! I will not admit this to Dad and don't you tell him either but I never should have been alone while recuperating from this surgery since it hasn't gone like Scooterbro's and Dad's did. Everyone said you only need the crutches to get home with then you can walk on the leg and it will be fine. So, I didn't use the crutches enough yesterday; by mid-afternoon I was one hurting puppy and that only got worse - by midnight I was ready to go to Urgent Care but couldn't figure out who I could call and wake up at that time of night to take me! Thankfully, things are better today. I am even going to go to the banquet tonight. Tomorrow I get to take the dressing off and Monday I can take a shower, woohoo!

So, thank you for thinking about me. Canoehead was very nice to call (she had even put together a group of DVDs for me to watch) and I really will call her if the need arises.

Love, Mom

Oh my gosh Scooterbug I swear my mom wrote that! So awesome that you found that note. I am reminded that mom is going to be stubborn as heck to accept help initially...
Thanks for sharing! Love it.

Everything everyone said. Make sure she takes her pain meds on schedule. Don't wait until it hurts, pain slows down the healing process.

Definitely the therapy and following Drs orders is very important to how well she will recover. As said hydration is essential, maybe she would prefer flavored water over regular.

Keep a notebook close by to record medications, icing and water. Also write down any questions for the doctor as they come to you. That way when you do see him you won't forget anything you need to ask.

Good luck and healing prayers for her.

Thank you so much Minnie. Good idea about the flavored water, I'll try to find a healthy one she likes. Notebook, I will definitely need a notebook. Thankfully I'm a voracious note-taker so I'll enjoy making charts. I'll keep the pain meds on a tight schedule. Nothing worse than waiting and begging for the painkillers to hit.
I appreciate your help and prayers!

Good luck to your mom on her knee replacement! Prior to her leaving the hospital make sure that you are given a choice of a home health company who will come out and do some therapy with her at home. Most insurance covers this. She may also need some nursing visits to check on her wound healing and to do some blood draws as she may come out with an RX for a blood thinner. Being compliant is so important. Hope all goes well!!!!!!!

Good luck to your mom on her knee replacement! Prior to her leaving the hospital make sure that you are given a choice of a home health company who will come out and do some therapy with her at home. Most insurance covers this. She may also need some nursing visits to check on her wound healing and to do some blood draws as she may come out with an RX for a blood thinner. Being compliant is so important. Hope all goes well!!!!!!!

Thank you, from one middlesister to another middlesister ...!

We will be arranging for nurse visits for the first week, and we'll check out the home physical therapy visits as well. Its a small town and quite a little ride to the hospital, so hopefully that can be arranged easily. Plus, she can get mad at the hired PT and not just me for making her do her exercises.

Appreciate your help and thoughtfulness!

Check into getting a walker or at minimum one of those canes with a 4 legged base. She'll hate it, conveniently ignore it and never "remember" where it is... but you will run around, find it, and keep it by her side.

Cordless phone that she can keep by her side. Maybe my folks are the only ones who think the phone MUST STAY cradled at all times???

Does she have extra tall potties in the house? If not you may want to consider a good solid "booster seat". Dropping down onto & getting up off of a low potty is difficult & painful. The walker will help with this

It will be difficult for her to get in & out of a car. Getting UP into an SUV is easier than dropping DOWN into a low carseat. But if a car is the only option... the back seat (w/ the front seat pulled all the way forward) may prove easier for her to get in & out of. The "off" side of the car (opposite of replaced knee) will probably be easier to get into w/ less bending of the knee.

Wow, more excellent advice DuneAHH! I appreciate you wracking your brain to recall these details and sharing. I'm wondering if mom will still love me (best) after all this?

She'll hate it, conveniently ignore it and never "remember" where it is... but you will run around, find it, and keep it by her side.

Both Gramma and Mama Scooterbug are awful about that too. Gramma I just keep moving it to her or make her hold onto me.

Mama Scooterbug I have to threaten to take away her wine and chocolate ration or let her hurt herself before she will mind and slow down!

And pets will need to be kept away too - a bump, knock, or misplaced paw can really do damage.

The day before a pedicure is nice so you don't have to worry about trimming toe nails for some time, also clean hair and if needing a hair cut go ahead and do that.

As Scooterbug said pets and even grandkids have to be aware of the fact that Grandma can't be knocked over or jumped on.

Check the house for rugs and furniture that might be in the way of the walker.

Check the bathroom, make sure you have a nonslip mat and nonslip mat outside the tub. You definitely do not want her to take a spill on a wet floor.

You can purchase disposable bathing cloths that can be heated in the microwave for bathing until she can shower.
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Wow, more excellent advice DuneAHH! I appreciate you wracking your brain to recall these details and sharing. I'm wondering if mom will still love me (best) after all this?

SB & Minnie make excellent points about rugs, rocks, bumps, steps, pets, and kiddies, etc.

It's undoubtedly an uncomfortable experience for a parent to "accept authority" from their child. Be sensitive about her need to remain in control of her life by "asking" what she wants (even if you have to be firm when she does NOT want). Those are excellent opportunities to reminisce with her about how she dealt with you & your sibs when you were being 'difficult children' (and you STILL love her 'best' don't You?)

Wow, more excellent advice DuneAHH! I appreciate you wracking your brain to recall these details and sharing. I'm wondering if mom will still love me (best) after all this?

Humor and Laughter is one of the best cures! Teasing and cracking her up will smooth over lots of rough spots!
So ask her that question every single time you have to be the bear!

Oh! Oh! Ice cream bribery (or wine if she's like Mama Scooterbug) is great!!
"if you drink this whole glass of water I'll bring you ice cream..."

You are all so very thoughtful to offer such wonderful tips. I am humbled by your kindness.

My family is hilarious and thrives on laughter, so humor during her recovery will be a must. We're all going to vacation in Maine together the week before her surgery, so I bet we're going to conjure up some interesting tidbits to keep us rolling, I mean 'strolling' along!

You know... I'm already working on "Pimp My Cane"

You are all so very thoughtful to offer such wonderful tips. I am humbled by your kindness.

My family is hilarious and thrives on laughter, so humor during her recovery will be a must. We're all going to vacation in Maine together the week before her surgery, so I bet we're going to conjure up some interesting tidbits to keep us rolling, I mean 'strolling' along!

You know... I'm already working on
"Pimp My Cane"

LUV-LUV-LUV it!!