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Having knee replacement: how to prepare and questions about PT

Posted by ronnie3716 @ronnie3716, May 1, 2016

I'm having knee replacement (L) on June 20th.
Any suggestions on how to get ready for it?
How soon does physical therapy start after one gets home?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 26, 2018
In reply to @debbraw "I just got a call from my orthopedic surgeon. I'm getting my second total knee replacement..." + (show)
@debbraw

I just got a call from my orthopedic surgeon. I'm getting my second total knee replacement on January 29! I will be so glad to have this done! I'm getting ready to start ramping up my time on the stationary bike and leg exercises. I'm reading through all of your posts here to review helpful ideas. Meantime, if anyone else has special tips or hints, I'm listening. Wish me well!

Jump to this post

Most definitely wishing you well @debbraw! I will be anxiously waiting to hear your results. I'm supposed to have a consult appointment in February for a TKR in March or April. I'm still working on the leg and knee exercises and about 10 to 15 minutes a day on the elliptical. I know I need to increase the weight bearing time but may have to switch to the recumbent bike part of my elliptical machine as it's less painful on the knee.

REPLY
dkapustin | @dkapustin | Jan 7, 2019

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

REPLY
9 replies
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love..." + (show)
@dkapustin

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

Jump to this post

Here are some tips that worked for me: first, clear a path through the house in the areas you need to walk through. Remove area rugs, move furniture if necessary, so that you can easily navigate with a walker. When you choose a walker, make sure it is sized correctly - not much wider than your body, and with 2 wheels which should NOT swivel. Also have a crutch or a cane handy. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, learning to use the walker, and then needed it for another 3 days at home. After that, crutch for perhaps a week, then cane for when the knee was tired and aching. It helps if you have one of those higher toilets, or have some support to get down and up. I used our smallest bathroom where I could hold on to the vanity to ease myself down. The hospital will probably give you an icepack, and I suggest to get a yoga mat for when you start doing your knee exercises. Some people do them on the bed or a couch, but that tends to put extra pressure on your back. Floor is preferable, in my opinion. Otherwise, I can’t think of any special equipment you could need. Within a week you should be able to walk for short periods without any device. Good luck!

REPLY
1 reply
u13496 | @u13496 | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love..." + (show)
@dkapustin

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

Jump to this post

Also, shower chair is very valuable. To hang one leg out straight at first and then later before you get balance back. It would be awful to fall on new knee. I live in rotten winter weather and got handicap permit asap. Again, don't want to fall. You will be icing a lot! If you can rent or borrow one of the polar ice machines it is just wonderful. Later for occasional use you can use freezable packs. You can get heavy duty ones on Amazon for very reasonable price. I still use daily after exercise at 11 weeks out. I had first knee done in summer and second in October -- the pain and recovery period where totally different for each. I think previous response is generally optimistic for being off walking aids so soon. Every knee is different and my second one has been so much more difficult than the first. You will need to pace yourself depending on your particular recovery experience. Your Dr and PT will also advise you. I would not have even thought of exercising on the floor. My "good" knee was bone on bone during the recovery of the first and now they are both still rehabbing. I could never have gotten back up! Be prepared for a lengthy rehab time frame. If you luck out and it progresses faster that will be wonderful. I was amazed at how different the knees did with same surgeon, same PT, same everything. All the best with your replacement!

REPLY
1 reply
mari | @mari | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love..." + (show)
@dkapustin

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

Jump to this post

TRY to get PT NOW. Exercise - get it strong. Follow what your vetted PT instructs you. Where r u? Is you ortho THE BEST?

REPLY
dkapustin | @dkapustin | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love..." + (show)
@dkapustin

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

Jump to this post

My ortho is Dr. Mohit Bansil. He has great reviews and is board certified. I'm in Palm Harbor, Florida. I've always been active so I feel confident about rehab

REPLY
dkapustin | @dkapustin | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "Here are some tips that worked for me: first, clear a path through the house in..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

Here are some tips that worked for me: first, clear a path through the house in the areas you need to walk through. Remove area rugs, move furniture if necessary, so that you can easily navigate with a walker. When you choose a walker, make sure it is sized correctly - not much wider than your body, and with 2 wheels which should NOT swivel. Also have a crutch or a cane handy. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, learning to use the walker, and then needed it for another 3 days at home. After that, crutch for perhaps a week, then cane for when the knee was tired and aching. It helps if you have one of those higher toilets, or have some support to get down and up. I used our smallest bathroom where I could hold on to the vanity to ease myself down. The hospital will probably give you an icepack, and I suggest to get a yoga mat for when you start doing your knee exercises. Some people do them on the bed or a couch, but that tends to put extra pressure on your back. Floor is preferable, in my opinion. Otherwise, I can’t think of any special equipment you could need. Within a week you should be able to walk for short periods without any device. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
dkapustin | @dkapustin | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @u13496 "Also, shower chair is very valuable. To hang one leg out straight at first and then..." + (show)
@u13496

Also, shower chair is very valuable. To hang one leg out straight at first and then later before you get balance back. It would be awful to fall on new knee. I live in rotten winter weather and got handicap permit asap. Again, don't want to fall. You will be icing a lot! If you can rent or borrow one of the polar ice machines it is just wonderful. Later for occasional use you can use freezable packs. You can get heavy duty ones on Amazon for very reasonable price. I still use daily after exercise at 11 weeks out. I had first knee done in summer and second in October -- the pain and recovery period where totally different for each. I think previous response is generally optimistic for being off walking aids so soon. Every knee is different and my second one has been so much more difficult than the first. You will need to pace yourself depending on your particular recovery experience. Your Dr and PT will also advise you. I would not have even thought of exercising on the floor. My "good" knee was bone on bone during the recovery of the first and now they are both still rehabbing. I could never have gotten back up! Be prepared for a lengthy rehab time frame. If you luck out and it progresses faster that will be wonderful. I was amazed at how different the knees did with same surgeon, same PT, same everything. All the best with your replacement!

Jump to this post

Thank you. I can barely get off of the floor now so after the surgery, I'm pretty sure that won't be an option. 🙂

REPLY
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love..." + (show)
@dkapustin

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

Jump to this post

One more thing: if you have access to a pool (indoor at a fitness center, for example), please consider getting a (temproray) membership. I did, and it is sooooooooooo much easier and less painful to do the post-surgery exercises in the water. I credit that with my fairly speedy recovery. Was super lucky, I guess. Within 10 days of surgery I was able to walk 1/3 mile, crutch in hand, but not using.

REPLY
dkapustin | @dkapustin | Jan 7, 2019
In reply to @dkapustin "Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love..." + (show)
@dkapustin

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled to have a total right knee replacement this month and would love to hear from those who have had this procedure. What kind of things will I need at my home, how long were you on a walker, and any tips you can give me for a successful rehabilitation. Thanks so much and this group is awesome!

Jump to this post

I belong to LA Fitness and they do have a pool! I'll definitely do that for additional therapy! Thanks so much for the great advice!

REPLY
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