I've been scheduled for a full knee replacement on Thursday next week (will have a friend stay with me for the first week). Does anyone have any hints and tips? I will buy a grabber thingy and have been looking at gadgets to help me put socks on - but am confused by all the different sorts. Rheum have also said I should get some wrist supports (my RA is mainly wrists, hands, fingers, but I have also developed Tennis elbow in both elbows recently) so am concerned about being able to use crutches.
Do you think I will need to find someone to stay (only have a 1 bedroom flat) for the second week? The only option (at the moment) is for my son to drive down from Yorkshire to London and then take me back up (which I really don't want to do, much as I love them all ) - he can't stay because they rely on his in-laws to do some of the school runs and they're in Australia for a month (DiL is a teacher and works an hour in the opposite direction to the boys school).
Thanks in advance, Virginia
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I worked as an orthopaedic nurse for over 30yrs. These days most surgery’s are done under spinal anaesthetic, and recovery is much quicker. No nausea for days afterwards, pain better controlled etc. I have discharged many patients who live alone, and manage quite well. Especially if you’re on the one level and not contemplating stairs. Pottering round the flat, should be fine, you will probably surprise yourself, how well you do initially. You may benefit from gutter crutches, rather than standard crutches, which would take the stress out of your elbows and wrists. The physio on the ward should be able to provide them. We always recommend helping hands, and a device for putting on socks or tights. Do you have ice packs?, if not I’d invest in some ice packs that can be strapped round your knee, as swelling is one of the problems that occurs afterwards, and can impede physio exercises. Make sure you have a foot stool to keep leg elevated as much as possible, preferably one that will elevate above your hip level. I will say the one thing that we always say, is not to put anything like pillows or towels under the knee. You will end up with a permanent bend, and limp when you walk. It’s essential to get the knee straight in the early days, the bend will come with time. Good luck with your surgery 🤗
Your advice is great thank you. I am having a TKR February 10th, and will be pressurised to help in a group delivering leaflets several times a week 10,000 to 15,000 steps) from April for a month. Do you think that will be possible please? I also live alone.
You are looking at 3-5 mile a day?, that is far too much so soon after surgery. It takes around 4-6 months to get back to your previous level of walking. You have to put yourself first, so I would say No.
Hello. I have had 2 knee replacements under spinal and I can tell you it was so much better than coming out of a general. You don't feel a thing, I had headphones on for some music. The physio is tough but some good painkillers help you do what they ask. I never looked back, I had been in a lot of pain for years, bone on bone, they said I was too young, but 22 years on, they are still good. Touch wood!! Changed my life, so good luck
Get Tesco to deliver chocolate and make sure you’ve got a phone number of a friend with a key in case of emergency. I’ve no experience of the operation so wish you good luck and a fast recovery. X
Someone in my Pilates group is about to have her second knee done and she has just discovered she can rent an ice machine - I’ve been assured it’s not like the one you have in the fridge for making ice but apart from that and the fact that a physio mentioned it that’s as much as I know.
When she had her last knee done she was saying how she struggled without ice when she was away and I put her on to the Kool Pak instant ice packs that I bought for my husband when he had his hip done but she really wished she had known about ice machine hire.
Other thing I’d say is to be sure to do your physio, this lady had extra physio privately too. So with that and Runrig’s suggestion of spinal anaesthetic and sedation and you’ll be well on your way. My husband had his hip done that way and although a lot of people think it sounds grim - it isn’t and you have an amazing recovery. He woke up and was perky and hungry and then the physios got him up to walk - at which point I left him to it. If you do have compression socks to put on - which I don’t think people seem to get now - I was told to rub his legs with cream of some sort as it makes the socks slide on more easily which it did, before I discovered that there were points where I thought I might pull his leg off in the process of getting them on and off.
Found this but there are other hire places - we decided (Pilates group) that it was worth the money to hire a professional machine. Good luck with it all.
We used cryocuffs in the ward. Often when patients weren’t due further analgesia yet, we’d offer this. Many were skeptical, but when we went to take it away, they were reluctant to give it up. Here’s a link to the one we used in the NHS. It works by gravity, but once you’ve filled the cuff, you can detach it and move around. It costs around £100 to purchase.
I had a TKR in late Aug, and am having a great outcome.Cryocuff was the best thing for me! Shop around online and you'll probably find the cooler +cuff for about £85 (Aircast, as used by Runrig's ward). Or you may be able to rent one.
Best advice...take the pain relief. Let it kick in. Do the exercises. Apply the cryocuff. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day!
Also use the cuff before bed.
You keep it on for about 20 mins.
The other thing that I found good was Tena pads for the night,if you need to get to the toilet through the night, as it takes you longer to get there!
Finally, rest loads!
I was on walking sticks, not crutches. (I was on crutches the previous year for hip replacement)
I recently had a hip replacement and live alone , all on one level.Friends and relatives stayed for 8 nights. I managed fine afterwards.
One issue was cooking, but those who stayed with me did a little cooking and put it in the freezer for me.
I took a flask of tea and a biscuit to bed, so I had a drink and something in my stomach in the morning. Took meds before I got up.
See photos of gadgets to help with putting on socks (it really worked a treat) and a toe towel, recommended by someone on the forum. It really did the job of drying between toes in the first few weeks.
I’m surprised gutter crutches haven’t been mentioned. I can’t use standard crutches and used gutter crutches for two new hips and a recent athroscopic knee surgery.
All I know is that the stronger your thigh muscles are before, the better recovery becomes, and it is essential to do the frequent exercises given, post op, which aim to straighten the knee. Those who have difficulty getting out of chairs might need a chair with arms to help them stand post op. I would be interested to know if anyone recommend a good chair for post knee surgery as this is rarely mentioned.
Occupational therapy used to be able to provide chair raisers or you can purchase online, to raise a current chair up. The other option is to purchase a cushion to lift you up, often distributing pressure evenly and reducing risk of pressure sores.
Thank you for this, Runrig. A close relative is due to have total knee replacement to the first knee soon , and I have offered to look after him, if needed , until safe for him to be alone. He struggles with stairs and chairs already. My concern , is partly based on the fact that he needs both knees relacing and he is almost twice my weight. I am trying to get prepared so that recovery is as smooth as possible. We will investigate chair raisers.
Good you are getting your surgery. I had 2 partial replacements done at the same time. I also live alone in a flat. It did take quite a long time for me to recover, but I think I really overdid things. Make sure you have enough food in (I didn't!). I was lucky with good neighbours who popped in.
I had a TKR immediately before the first lockdown in 2020, so had to manage totally alone. I was fine, despite also having RA. I live in a bungalow, so was ok pottering around on elbow crutches. I borrowed a raised toilet seat, which was a big help, as was my riser-recliner chair. If you don’t have the latter, raise the seat height of a chair with pillows or cushions. Pain was moderate, and controlled with paracetamol. Ice packs were useful (expect swelling) and I followed the physio regime religiously. It was a time of great anxiety, because of the pandemic, but physically I coped much better than I expected. Good luck with it all.
I had a total knee done end October. This week I feel like the knee is mine with no pain only if I twist. Best tips I think are to have a dressing gown cord to put round your foot to lift foot out of bed for first few days. Also I got EVERCRYO Cryo Cuff Knee from Amazon which really helped with the swelling. Rest and elevating your knee is just as important as your physio exercises but don’t push it. I did too much and my glutes strained over compensating. My husband looked after me but I could have looked after myself after a week. Just make sure you have medicines and everything by the bed at night. I used sticks and the relief in furniture to help me get about. First two weeks be kind to yourself. I sat and binged watched Merlin with my leg in a stool higher with a pillow in it. I did the heel drags and walking for a few steps initially no more. Straightening your knee on the flat bed is good. You heal yourself with rest and good diet don’t be pushed to go to fast. Hope this helps and good luck
Have had both full and partial knee replacements. It's good to have someone with you for the first week, as much for reassurance as anything. Personally was off the crutches as soon as I felt safe in order to aid normal walking posture. The ice packs as others recommend are vital, and really help with reducing swelling. Follow the physio exercises slavishly: don't make excuses to yourself for not doing them in those early days because yes it hurts and is desperately boring, but the flexibility you regain in your knee will be dictated by doing those exercises in the first few weeks. Make sure you have sufficient pain relief to give you a good night's sleep which can be difficult at first, and don't think you're a wimp for taking any medication which will help with this. Being on your own can be a good thing as it will force you to move about more regularly than if someone is there to fetch and carry for you. At the same time, make sure you don't overdo it, get in lots of treats to reward yourself with! As you're on your own, it's a good idea pre-surgery to stock your freezer with ready meals to pop in the oven as standing to cook and on crutches is tiring and hard work. Make sure you have your phone in your pocket at all times so you can call for help should really need it and a door key where someone can access it if you are unable to get to the door. Honestly it's amazing how quickly you will recover from this post- surgery stage: wishing you the best of luck and just look forward to no longer having excruciating knee pain!
Personally I couldn't stand been driven after my knee replacement. Every pot hole was like someone hitting me with a hammer. I'd stay at home rather than a several hours drive.My main tip is to get a drinks flask to carry drinks. Holding a cup isn't easy with sticks. I got one for hot drinks and one for cold.
Goodness, you have got so many really good ideas here.
We could almost put all the ideas together in the form of a pinned post and name it ‘Tips for people undergoing TKR / hip replacement operations’.
I don’t know if anyone has suggested it but as well as the trolley an apron or something with a deep front pocket like a kangaroo pouch will be useful for your phone and all those little things it would be handy to have about your person during the day.
On the other hand you will come to a point where getting up to find things you need is good exercise.
I should add last year I broke my leg and ankle and bought a loo raiser from Amazon as the new fangled low level ones suspended are not easy to get up from plus a shower seat. I could sit in take my boot off, put it outside the door, shower and open door to retrieve the boot to then stand up. It worked a treat. Bring back the old fashioned loos. I also would ask if you qualify for the help at home, which my mum had when she broke her hip. It’s just a few weeks when they pop in and out to help but she was older although could still be worth asking about as these days it seems no one volunteers help.
Not hip or knee, but I have had three ops on my feet in the last 15 years. I did the flask thing, and carried on doing it and still do it today! Means I make a litre of coffee first thing, then I don't have to boil the kettle again all day. And I can take it to my desk if I am having online meetings. But when I had the surgery I kept it with me.
I had a 'work station' with everything I needed during the day, all my work, laptop, telephone, books. And bottle of water too. I had the sofa arranged to keep my foot above my heart. I used two wicker shopping baskets, one was the food 'in tray' and the other was the 'out tray'. So in the morning I make breakfast, coffee and a snack, put it into the basket to carry to my work station on the sofa. Then as I ate and drank through the morning I put the dirty dishes and rubbish in the 'out tray'. That way I could carry things around with the crutches and not have to do multiple trips.
I found a bell useful to summon the husband from the man cave, and if that didn’t work his mobile. But then it only worked for a short time as he makes awful tea and his cooking leaves a lot to be desired. lol xxx
Ha Ha! Learned helplessness! I know it well. Luckily my husband moved out 28 years ago so I don't have to put up with that anymore!
He did come to stay a few days the first time I had surgery as our son was only 16 (and disabled himself) and we weren't sure he could cope. but by the second time my son said don't let Dad stay over night again, it was more trouble than he was worth!
All the above,also ready meals,or frozen ones you have previously made. Food deliveries...I lived in a first floor flat,and coped on my own,,,the stairs were a good exercise!!!I have had two hips and two knee replacement s..Good luck ,it's great when there is no pain!!!
I really can't thank you all enough (too many to mention by name) - so many hints tips and suggestions - some great idea's (flask of tea) I hadn't thought of. I have "knee school" with PT dept this afternoon and will ask about gutter crutches and wrist supports. I'm definitely going to need more ice packs!
The only thing I would add is that aquatherapy is a wonderful thing! A warm pool in which you can practice bending your knee and taking first steps. Some hospitals have them, so do ask, physio, therapists usually on hand.
Another general comment: I found it took ages to feel normal after the op but don't worry, it's great in the end. I had my knees done in 2012 and 2014 and never looked back! No more pain.
I have had two knee replacements. Had people stay with me for the first week. Acetually the first 4 days are the ms important. Never needed the sock thing although I had it. Best thing was the Cyro cuff I purchased to use to ice my knee but there are otheer options but ice is important. I used a walker for the first couple of weeks. I ha a recliner chair so was able to elevate my leg. I did my exercises 3xa day at first and then 2x a day. Keep on top of the pain in the begeinning and then I was fine. Good luck. I am walking well now and so happy I had it done. I am 81 years old.
The National Health Service will supply you with everything you need before you are dis harged. Someone will go to your home and deliver them ready for you. So don't worry.
I had a tkr 5 years ago and was the best thing I ever did.I stayed with my son for the first week ,and then went home on my own,which I wanted.As they make sure you can do stairs before they let you out of hospital here,I managed stairs from day one,although a bit painful at first.I cannot emphasis enough,painkillers regularly,ice and doing the exercises you are sent home with.I got ice packs on eBay and iced regularly.Others I know invested in an icing machine,but I didn’t do that.My hospital ran 4 week course of physio where you met others again who were in hospital with you,and that was excellent if you have the chance.I ordered meals from Wiltshire farm foods for a few weeks to make life easier,and when felt ready walked up the road couple of times a day.It is so important to get a certain degree of bend when you feel comfortable,not if painful,and I watched myself walk in front of mirror to make sure I did not get too use to limping.The worse for me was not being allowed to drive for10 weeks !!Sorry to go on,but just passing on what helped me.Since then no knee pain at all,best bit of me!!My neighbour helped me with the awful green stockings at first as so tight.I did struggle with the crutches as ra in wrists ismy worst joint,so started with a pretty walking stick as soon as able to do so.
Hope you get on well.Do post if you need encouragement afterwards and I will always reply
Thanks, Joan. I’ve just been to “knee school” and was told no driving for 6 weeks (and I could get back on my bike - can’t see that happening )
I asked the physio about gutter crutches and was told they are heavy and not recommended, but they do have crutches with ergonomic hand bits; as to wrist supports I should order on Amazon (not particularly helpful!). Was also told that they didn’t give out toilet seat risers or any other equipment. Nor do they send you home with heavy duty painkillers, likely to be something like co-codamol
Good luck with your knee replacement.I had two done twelve years ago.Try to get a Rutland trolley from OTherapist it is handy has two shelves and you can put things on it and push it around.Painkillers and icing are your best pals for a few weeks.Doing exercises is essential,ice up before helps.Wishing you well in your recovery.
Hi Veg hope you don’t mind me asking how you are doing since your knee surgery, I’m really interested to learn more from others experiences. I’m in the pipeline within 5 months to have my 1st FKR, so any info would be really helpful & gratefully received 🦵🏽🌸
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) - he can't stay because they rely on his in-laws to do some of the school runs and they're in Australia for a month (DiL is a teacher and works an hour in the opposite direction to the boys school).
Knee replacement 
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