Knee replacement surgery

[Minnie]

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.

 

[ChillPill]

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.

 

[ChillPill]

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!

 

[sisters4]

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!!!!!!!

 

[ChillPill]

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!

 

[DuneAHH]

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.

 

[ChillPill]

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?

 

[scooterbug44]

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.

 

[Minnie]

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.
http://www.shopinprivate.com/combatcleans.html

 

[DuneAHH]

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?)