Knee replacement surgery

[ChillPill]

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!

 

[scooterbug44]

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.

 

[ChillPill]

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

 

[kathydwells]

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!

 

[deborsk]

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.

 

[ChillPill]

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!

 

[ChillPill]

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!

 

[DuneAHH]

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!

 

[scooterbug44]

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

 

[ChillPill]

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!