Total knee replacement preplaning for recovery II

The first two or three weeks after a TKA are usually the most difficult from the standpoint dealing with the constant challenge of nagging pain, limited ability, and frustration.

Even with the use of pain meds you will be dealing with trouble sleeping at the very least.
Tip 1. Keep a tape recorder at bedside with your best zone out tapes.
Tip 2. Keep a fruit dish at bedside. Your body needs vitamins and sugars to rebuild.
Tip 3. Keep water handy. Your pain meds will dry your mouth like cotton.
Tip 4. Keep an inspirometer at bedside...use often as you can. This reduces the chance of lung problems such as infection.
Tip 5. Keep TWO (2) urinals at bedside.
Tip 6. Keep plenty of kleenex or paper towels at hand.
Tip 7. Install and properly position at least TWO GRAB ROPES (The main rope should be about 1" dia and soft weave-can buy at Home Depot). The smaller rope should be about .5 inches diameter. The big rope is positioned about 18" laterally to the side of your bed. It is the main rope for helping you stand..The other rope is about 10" to the inside margin of the bed and about 24" or less from the end of the bed. This allows hoisting of the bad leg, allows additional attachments for movement, etc.
Tip 8. Keep your pain meds clearly marked and near to you.
Tip 9. Begin to take a laxative such as MiraLax (OTC) a couple days before the surgery and then continue for as long as needed afterwards. (PS-get your doc to write a Rx for MiraLax for the generic form and it will be about half the normal retail cost.)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Ben Blyton
• Knee replacement
• knee surgery
• knee arthroplasty

[32f3245f4]

@chelly309

Thanks for the kind words. It is normal to be nervous at first. You have done the most important thing...faced the truth. When it's time nature has a way of letting us know for sure. A partial is going to be so much better than a total replacement. A friend of mine just had a partial done...four weeks later he is walking and acting normal. Ask ur doc about coumadin!

I found a strong faith in my God helped me to not worry about the "what-ifs".

Wishing you a quick recovery.

[chelly309]

hello I am 37 & after 2 surgeries for meniscus tears I was told to have a parcel knee replacement & I am soo nervous about it...but the date is in 2 wks...I keep thinking if I do this or that I could make this better, but the truth is Ive been is pain for over 2 years even after surgery & swelling, ty for yr videos...

[32f3245f4]

@slabxb2

I wish you the best. I do hope you had a chance to view all 6 of my video clips on knees. Sometimes one browser will pull up fewer search results than another but the material is all important. A year later and my left knee is fine but the right knee still feels like the surgeon left a piece of something under the kneecap. Unfortunately my insurance ran out. Type in the search: Ben Blyton, TKA

[slabxb2]

very interesting....I am 42 and will have a TKR on the 25th of this month.

[32f3245f4]

@lengerova

I wish your mother the best of luck. When you are with her you should act as the patient's advocate. You make notes on what meds are being given, etc. When you are involved then the hospital becomes more involved. Remember to ask any q's you wish. If you are not getting the answers you want pick up the room phone and contact the "hospitalist" (the hospital doc) or the patient's advocate.

Ask the nurse how. Everything will be fine. Please contact me if I can help in any way.

[lengerova]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! My mother has to undergo a partial knee replacement on one knee and is very scared! You are bringing our hopes up a lot! Good luck and fast recovery to you!