What items do I need post TKR during recovery?

Posted by saeternes @saeternes, Nov 5, 2019

Please let me know which of these things you purchased for your TKR recovery, and which were the most valuable. My toilet seat now hits me at the exactly back of the knee (it's pretty tall); is that tall enough? Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Cris mentioned churches and banks lending out used equipment. You can also call your local VFW post or other veterans organizations. They have wheelchairs, walkers, and all kinds of other donated equipment to share, and you don't always need to be a veteran to borrow it. It's worth a try to at least see what they have.

I used the large flexible ice packs with velcro straps sent home with me from the hospital to ice my TKR's as well as my shoulder replacement, and they worked fine. Neither my surgeon nor my physical therapist suggested I needed an ice machine at home.
I used one at the end of a few of my PT sessions and though the machine works wonderfully, if the cost is an issue, alternating ice packs kept in the freezer does just fine. I recovered quickly from all my surgeries and have good range of motion.

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@dmk

Yes I used for my reverse total shoulder and total knee replacements ! You won’t use hardly any pain medication, in my experience. Look into buying one might be cheaper. They are called cryocuff cuff machines and you can get them for $200 or less get one that plugs in wall. Good luck

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I googled CryoCuff and this is what came up. It is definitely under $200.

Can you tell me if I found the right one?

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@jordansnows

I googled CryoCuff and this is what came up. It is definitely under $200.

Can you tell me if I found the right one?

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Not sure from picture but you definitely do not want a gravity one you want motorized one that uses ice and water, plugs in the wall. Make sure if you are having a TKR to get the knee wrap if you are have shoulder surgery get the shoulder wrap. We just bought 4 bags ice from store prior to surgery and it will last a good long time. Think we refilled it once day but our cooler part was larger than your picture
Hope this helps

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@saeternes

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice on the walker, @ellerbracke, as I was not sure what to get. And it sounds like the toilet rails are very important for everyone, or at least something to grab onto. @glasgow46 , did you use the gravity icing machine, or was it a plug-in with a pump? Anyone use a wedge to raise the leg, or make do with pillows?

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I've had both knees and hips replaced. No more pain or arthritis. In addition to what you mentioned I bought wedges. I also used a butterfly wedge for help sleeping. Since I am tall I bought a grabber to pick things up off the floor.

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@20181022

I've had both knees and hips replaced. No more pain or arthritis. In addition to what you mentioned I bought wedges. I also used a butterfly wedge for help sleeping. Since I am tall I bought a grabber to pick things up off the floor.

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Welcome @20181022, It sounds like you have had great success with your joint replacements. I've only had one knee replaced but the knee is functioning a lot better than it was before the replacement. Thanks for sharing what helped with your recovery.

Do you mind sharing what you were searching for when you found Connect? Do you have any questions you are trying to get answered?

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