After TKR, can I come home to two flights of stairs?

I will try backing up the stairs! And another writer suggested resting on a chair at the landing. Unfortunately my lobby steps are quite high; some stairs are easier because the rise is less for each step.

@comeoutdancing: Before you try any techniques on your own, or any post-op interventions including where to stay, please discuss directly with your surgical care team. They know you and your medical history the best and can assess you most appropriately after your surgery. Your safety is paramount. When is your TKR scheduled for?

Like I always say, there are no 2 patients and no 2 experiences that are the same. We learn from each others' experiences. However, these experiences have to be translated into our own personal circumstances.

Do your research. Find out what rehab facilities and services are available in your area to get you back on your feet and mobile in your home. Physical therapists and occupational therapists can help get you there. If your home situation presents challenging barriers like you live alone, have a lot of stairs or difficult access to services, then a residential rehab facility may be a good option or alternate living accommodations for a short stay.

All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

@grammato3 Isn't there a difference in cost for rehab facilities? I have visited a friend who was in a beautiful facility that was clean and attractive and seemed to have great staffing vs another where a friend was rehabbing that was depressing and noisy and smelly and the staff seemed over worked. The second patient had only Medicare to help with the cost. The former had more financial resources and a more generous insurance plan.

@grammato3 TKR is scheduled for October 19.

Any others on this blog who had had experience with a procedure called 'Genicular artery embolization' for the knee?
or with the bicruciate retaining knee implant (BCR) mentioned above?
I will ask my care team about those but am a bit afraid of upsetting my surgeon with questions about procedures he does not perform.

@comeoutdancing By all means, ask - doctors are not fragile flowers, they field questions all the time about the procedures they perform and they options they choose. In my experience, if you don't start with "I googled and..." or "AI said..." but rather say "Can you explain your procedure..." then follow up with questions about the alternative you are curious about, you get answers. Do you have another visit before surgery?

Yes, I have another pre surgery visit. Thanks for the support.
Shirley

@comeoutdancing: You're being very pro-active in using this month prior to your surgery to evaluate, consider and prepare for your recovery. I had done similarly when preparing for my total hip that was performed earlier this month and I honestly believe it helped ease my own recovery. This guide may help: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/knee-replacement/about/pac-20385276

Have you checked to see if your facility offers a teaching class on TKRs? Many do, and provide great information on what to expect post-op.

@comeoutdancing: Good question, long answer because I want to cover your concerns about what you may have observed when visiting.

As I previously mentioned, there is tremendous variablity in such facilities, some of which may have to do with the level of care: specifically, whether they're categorized as EAR (extended active rehab) or SNF (skilled nursing). There is an additional higher level: LTAC (Long Term Acute Care) dedicated for patients who require more extended complex care. In ALL cases, they should certainly maintain standards of cleanliness and adequate staffing. It does help to keep in mind that the higher levels of care, SNFs and LTACs, are providing care to patients who have a higher level of medical need; they may have ambulatory limitations, wound healing, incontinentence, etc. Some SNFs have a smaller, dedicated area for rehab patients. As such, rehab patients there may encounter the associated sights and perhaps odors they may find offensive - not due to poor cleaning but those associated with these conditions. The staffing may very well be adequate but involved in care to those with greater medical needs.

There are some facilities that definitely are private pay where one can expect an exceptional level of care: private suites, chef prepared meals, spa services; regrettably, I have no personal knowledge of anyone who has been a patient in such a facility. Most do contract with private insurance companies and/or Medicare. When I was preparing for discharge after my hip fracture, I was given options and selected the one affiliated with the hospital;, but all accepted my private insurance. I was not as pleased with the facility where my in-laws had been, but they were limited by Medicaid. Additionally, there are some individuals who are on state AHCCCS plans - as such, they may be limited to facilities that accept such low income services; I am honestly not certain how that is implemented.

Since you have a month to prepare, this is an area you can definitely look into further. Along with those questions you can ask your medical provider about the wisdom of going home the same date of surgery in consideration of the two flights of stairs, add: If it's not advisable to return home that day, what alternatives do you suggest? If you adivse a rehab facility, which ones do you recommend? Would I be able to visit beforehand? However, even if you do visit and select one of your choice, when the time comes, your ability to transfer there may be dependent upon availability. But at least it would help to know you'd have some options. How does that Plan B (or C or D!) sound?