New Knee

[gradyjackjacob]

Im due to have a knee replacement in the next few months and I was wondering what clothes do you wear to leave hospital,im just asking as I only wear jeans.

[dembonesDAMNBONES]

You didn't say wgere yoi were from.

Had the operation myself and, as it was summer, I carried on wearing shorts.

Bending the knee can be problematic; putting on footwear, sitting down, rising, going to the toilet, etc

A word of advice:

Start training for post op now.

Ask the hospital about exercises to strengthen the joint and begin doing them now, so less time will be spent in rehab, once the operation is done.

I did this and was walking without crutches or cane in six days, compared to others taking around six weeks.

Best wishes.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

I think the op will take place around November time,i think I,ll get some joggers.I,ve bought a exercise bike so I,ll start using that.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to gradyjackjacob]

The exercise bike will be of good use, no doubt about it, but the physio is worth it's weight in gold.

I was given the choice of group or individual at two different hospitals and opted for group.

You can have a laugh, support and gee each other up.

Painkillers for post op are on offer, which help on the really bad days.

Basically, you'll get out what you put into the experience.

I was happy to keep pushing myself, so the team of physios were happy as well and they'd send newbies over to me to show them the ropes and who to avoid.

One self pityer can bring down the entire group, if you allow it.

I was fit enough to leave after a couple of months, but stayed in the group for the allotted year.

Seems the staff and other patients liked having a joker around and I still meet up with a couple of them at least once a week.

[wishbone]

Agree with dembones about shorts. If not then something like a lightweight pair of cargo trousers might be a good choice. I used to wear jeans all the time but changed to cargo trousers a few years back. I find them more comfortable than denim jeans.

Good luck with the knee.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to wishbone]

I,ll get some joggers aswell as some cargo pants,thanks for your reply.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to wishbone]

Good call on the cargoes!

[ruth_p]

I wore jogging bottoms after my hip replacement, thankfully it wasn’t too hot as I had it done in September last year. Shorts could be another option.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to ruth_p]

Thanks for your reply,will be buying some asap.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to ruth_p]

The ladies in my physio sessions wore either.

Naturally, we guys ogled and pushed ourselves to greater efforts, in order to impress them. Lol.

[daisychains58]

I agree with all of the above. Easy on off clothing. Definitely strengthening exercises will help your recovery and do your exercises afterwards as well especially bending the knee and straightening it. Good luck with your op...I had bi lateral knees done last year, not much fun but hydrotherapy is the best exercise ,being weightless makes it much easier and less painful.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to daisychains58]

I,m going to buy some cargo pants and jogging bottoms,thank you for your helpful advice.

[daisychains58 in reply to gradyjackjacob]

You can get a peddle bike,,just sit at any chair and peddle away. Wish I had this at the time..brilliant.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to daisychains58]

Hydrotherapy?

Nah, I prefer beer therapy.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

Gin wil do me fine.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to gradyjackjacob]

Lol.

Worked in Booth's Distillaries, seems like a lifetime ago, which put me off gin.

The thought, never mind the smell, hurtles me back four decades...to when I was fit, hale and actually drank the stuff.

We'd take in bottles of lemonade and leave work with Firewater, as we called it.

That was your fee entry to any party guaranteed!

Happy days.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

You should give it a try again,lemon drizzle and violet are really nice.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to gradyjackjacob]

Er, thanks but no.

I'll stick to beer...with the occasional voddie and fresh orange, which I count as one of my five a day. Lol.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

I suppose I could count the lemon or lime as my one of my five a day that I put in my gin.

[Lulumae in reply to daisychains58]

I definitely agree with the hydrotherapy, it allows me to do exercises I could never do on land. I had my left knee replaced last August and have continued with hydrotherapy whilst I await for right knee/hip to be operated on.

[BrightonDiva]

Start exercising as soon as possible to maintain/build muscle and ligament strength, this will speed your recovery and get you in the habit of exercising - and if you can access it, hydrotherapy is brilliant, before and after - get a physio to advise you. Follow all the exercises you are shown after the op - they will hurt but you must follow them to the letter or you won't get a good bend in the joint. Buy some flexible ice/cold gel packs ready for your return home and apply regularly to keep swelling down. When you get home try to keep leg raised, entire leg supported, whenever you sit down. This reduces swelling too. Rest lots. Eat well, keep hydrated. Any loose or baggy trousers are fine, when you leave hospital the dressing covering the scar is minimal, not bulky at all and waterproof. I had a knee replacement (age 49) 18 years ago, and then need it revised last June, age 67 - out with the old and in with the new. Good luck!

[gradyjackjacob in reply to BrightonDiva]

I will do everything you just suggested,many thanks for your helpful tips.

[victoriablue]

Loose trousers or skirts I usually were trousers but got to allow for swelling witch I found took a while to go down. Hope it goes well. 👍😀

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to victoriablue]

gradyjackjacob don't listen to victoriablue or the guys in physio will laugh at you wearing skirts.

[victoriablue in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

Ha ha ha ooops could have been a cross dresser 😂😂😂

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to victoriablue]

[Iluvgardening]

I just had a total knee replacement 10 days ago. I brought comfortable shorts to wear home, something loose to go over your knee easily.

[Iluvgardening]

Also start your exercises now your brain will remember them and your therapy will go much more smoothly. Work hard and rest often and don't get discouraged. Keep telling yourself it's getting stronger, better and look forward to having alot less pain than before! I had a knee replacement 7 months ago, and the other knee 10 days ago. This second knee has been a little tougher, I had high expectations because my first total knee healed exceptionally fast and felt wonderful in less than 4 weeks. My left total knee has been very tight and not wanting to move, so I am having to work really hard on my physical therapy exercises. I am looking forward to when I get to the less pain! Start working hard now, cycling is a great before exercise and afterwards, also have your Orthopedic give you a list of beforehand exercises or look them up online, you will be glad that you did. Also swimming or walking in water is good! I wish you the very best outcome, you won't regret it once the healing begins.

[gradyjackjacob]

I do go walking with my daughter twice a week and will start to use my exercise bike on a regular basis,many thanks for your great advise.