Knee Surgery -- Post Care Advice Needed

Has anyone on the board had knee surgery, specifically knee replacement surgery? I’m helping my mom get ready for left knee replacement surgery on the 7th of August. We are debating on rather or not to buy a recliner. Does anyone have any experience they can share? Is it worth buying a recliner -- did you get good use out of it. Normally she doesn’t like recliners because she’s really short ( only 4’10 ) and doesn’t like her feet hanging but we are worried she wont be comfortable on the couch because it sits low.

Any other tips regarding knee surgery post care would be greatly appreciated -- we’re trying to think of everything now so there wont be any surprises later on . This is just the first run -- she’ll have the other knee done six weeks later.

Thanks.

I had a knee replacement done July 10th last year.  I definitely used my recliner alot; I slept in it for 3 or 4 weeks.  It definitely made a difference.  Make sure she does her exercises and   moves around.  I started with a walker, then a cane, then was walking on my own within 3 weeks. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll try to help.

 

Patty

I got my recliner at a garage sale for $10 and I have had it for 11 years! Just wait until garage sales are closing and drop by...people will sell it for cheap just so they wont have to deal with storing it again until next years' sale! LOL ~Patti

Dear Amanda, I would say YES to the recliner. A lot of times you can find them at a used furniture store for a fraction of the cost-BUT-you can also see at a new store-if they have ones for people who are vertically challenged. If you cant find one for her height-then you can also put a little foot stool under her feet so they arent dangling when she isnt reclined. They sell those fairly inexpensive at Walmart and the ones you can buy for the kitchen are adjustable in height. Hope that helps. One thing-PLEASE-Make sure she walks as much as she can and does her excercises regularly. Its going to hurt like you know what, BUT-after my last knee surgery-I got a blood clot in my calf area of the same leg I had knee surgery in. It was a combination of the turniquet (sp?) being wrapped too tight and not enough excercising and movement on my part. So-make her. We didnt know and werent told of that complication and so it may have been prevented IF we had been advised it could happen-but I know now!!! We will keep your mother in prayer for a safe surgery and speedy recovery and she is very blessed to have you helping her. If you need anything else-please let us know. Take care. Janet

Hi Amanda,  How ironic...my mom is ALSO have TKR on the SAME DAY!!!  We are using Arkansas Othopedics in Jonesboro, AR ...Dr. Ball....I will be staying the days with her in the hospital.  Also make sure you get her a shower chair!!! I found out how handy that was with my WLS last year! Good Luck to your mom! Sherr

After my Mom's double knee replacement 15 yrs ago, she purchased a "lift chair". It has worked really well for her. So well, that most times, she can get up from a seated position and take off walking faster than I can!

I wish your Mom good luck on her surgery.