12 Days to Revision Surgery - Question about PT

Posted by babette @babette, Oct 6, 2019

I'm in the home stretch towards my knee revision! I have lots of concerns, here's just one of them: If I can't drive for 6 weeks, how will I get to my outpatient PT? Dh will be home for a week or so, but after that I'm on my own. I will have PTs coming to the house during the early days, but I don't imagine they'll come for 6 weeks, not can they do here what can be done in a PT clinic! Help!

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JK | @contentandwell | Oct 6, 2019

@babette. We are all rooting for you and your revision.
When I had my TKR, and also when I had PT after my transplant, I could keep the home PT as long as I was “home bound”. If you can’t get out then I believe that would apply to you. You are supposed to remain at home, and only go out for doctor appointments and to go to church. This is the Medicare requirements. I don’t know if you are on Medicare yet.

I don’t know if you have an agency that you favor but I used Caretenders. They are in MA and southern NH, perhaps even more. You can tell the person at the hospital that is who you want to use and they will set it up. It is a VNA agency and you will also have a nurse come to check on you for a few times. The physical therapist I used from there was much better than the outpatient physical therapist. I would have used him longer but I was itching to get out. You of course would not have the same therapist that I had but if he is an indication of their therapists I would highly recommend them.
JK

Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Oct 6, 2019

Hi @babette - I'm with @contentandwell - My doctor wrote the PT prescription to say that I should have in-home PT until I could drive. I would ask your doctor (or the physician's asst) to write it up so you have in-home care. I actually thought my in-home PT did MORE than my outpatient PT. He took me on walks in the neighborhood... he brought equipment to the house... and he was like a personal trainer. If you can get the right person for in-home PT until you can drive, you will be all set. Will you let us know how it goes?

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Oct 7, 2019

Hello @babette. Here is another discussion on Connect on preparing for your PT post knee surgery, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/im-having-knee-replacement-l-on-june-20th-any-suggestions-on-how/. Although this discussion is titled knee replacement PT, I think you will find a lot of good advice Connect members have shared on preparing for a surgery involving a knee replacement.

zakcat | @zakcat | Oct 11, 2019

Do you have Uber? Taxi? The first 3 weeks should be strictly one on one therapy with the same therapist. Equipment not required. So home care should be fine. Make sure they are good, though! They should report to your Ortho every week so he'll know that you are progressing.