Tkr in October-items/supplies/equipment recommendations

@nance80
Sounds to me like you’re doing fine.
Unless your surgeon is using waterproof bandages, look on Amazon for covers that go over the bandage so you can shower.
Your leg will be sore above and below the incision so a pain relief cream will be handy.
A rollator (walker) will be helpful in the beginning. You can use a cane later, but you will be safer with the walker.

Your best bet is to follow the P/T rules. The stretching exercises are necessary.

Good luck, you will be fine.

A yoga stretch strap with loops for PT exercises that also serves as an aid to lifting your leg onto the bed and into the car in those early weeks. They are under $10 on Amazon. Make sure your exit/entry ways into your home have a handle or grab bar if you have to step up/down to get into your house. I didn’t think about my home not having handrails until I was already home so we scrambled to get something up, I am 5’9” with chair height toilets and a foam toilet seat riser was a blessing those first few weeks, You can use your walker and back it up to the toilet tank to use as an aid when using the toilet. I am in a two story home and was doing stairs after three days because I wanted my real bed so if you have a friend with an unused walker or find one in a resale store pick it up to keep one on each level; it makes your life easier. Lastly, slip on shoes with good soles and backs. Remember to celebrate the little victories in your recovery and sleep when you are tired.

Not sure if you'll need to purchase that ice machine because I was attached to one at the hospital as soon as I got into my room, so check first before wasting money. After a couple of weeks my compression sleeve was pretty dirty and after a week of searching found a vain doctor that sold them in pairs. Be aware they're pretty pricey. One more thing that came was something to help you put your socks on. The below link is an example (Just cut and paste into browser).
https://www.amazon.com/DILSIAI-Seniors-Assistant-Bending-Stocking/dp/B0CZLGDB3X/ref=asc_df_B0CZLGDB3X

One more thing, in the ice machine I was issued someone found that if you freeze water bottles from the store I could fit 4 in the container and add water. Made it less messy and easy to replace the old bottles with new frozen bottles, then put the old bottles back into the freezer to complete the cycle....

Whois the primary cook in your house? I had made batches of chili, wild rice soup and spaghetti sauce with meat. Then put freezer bags into big solo cups. After they are frozen you can remove the solo cups for your next batch. Each cup had enough for a meal for two.

Get a shower chair. They make it so much easier to get in and out of the bathtub.

@angels12 is also add some floor grips to the list…

@steve161 If the OP can find it and afford a rental, the NICE machine avoids all of this. It acts like a refrigerator to cool the water so one never has to add or remove ice. My surgeon provided me with a two rental of one six years ago after my left hip replacement and it was terrific.

More recently, almost exactly a year ago, I had my right knee replaced. This time my surgeon provided me with a two week rental of the Game Ready machine. It worked equally well but did require ice.

Getting a NICE machine for recovery is like renting a Rolls Royce to drive around.

@steveinarizona Funny, Steve, I just posted the same to a member about to have shoulder replacement! I had to pay for mine, and it was worth every penny.

@sueinmn Odd fact. I had to wait several extra weeks for my surgery because my surgeon was himself recovering from a rotator cuff repair suffered from skateboarding. I actually liked the idea that my surgeon skateboards.

My favorite way to identify top surgeons is to ask my doctors whom I trust whom they would use for themselves or immediate family members. I used the opportunity to ask him whom he used and passed that information onto a friend who needed shoulder surgery.

Many years ago I had a small but complete tear in my rotator cuff. But after PT I got almost all of my motion back. my shoulder surgeon at the time, at the Mayo Clinic, told me that he could do as much damage as good and it would be best to leave it alone. When a surgeon tells me that, I listen!