TIPS ON HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT SURVIVAL

TIPS ON HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT SURVIVAL

 

 

 Nearly five weeks out from the total right knee replacement, I am finally able to sit at my desk without too much pain. I have now had two hip replacements and a right knee replacement and I can say with great assurance that the knee replacement is pretty much the greatest pain I have ever experienced, including having babies which was formerly my top register for pain.  As my granddaughter told me, I am pretty much a bionic woman now. So, let me share some things that just might help should you ever venture forth with these surgeries. 

1.     DIAL SOAP Bathing and washing hands with Dial soap helps kill the bacteria that might cause problems later with the surgery and its healing. 

2.     BUY CLOROX LAUNDRY SANITIZER and LYSOL to go in with your laundry detergent when you wash your sheets and clothes you will wear beginning with the Hibilens regime five days before surgery. 

3.     PRESS AND SEAL OR SARAN WRAP. Make sure you have someone close to you with you for the first two weeks because when you bathe, someone will have to wrap the incision to keep the incision dry and stay close by to make sure you do not pass out because you have lost a lot of blood. 

4.     BIDET  I ordered the $39 version on Amazon recommended by my friend. I wish I had known earlier that you could make your toilet into a bidet. I had the plumber come and install it. This would have been so helpful when I had the hip replacement because it hurt so badly to turn and reach behind me. Do not think this is a female thing. One setting is for one’s aft and one is for one’s fore. 

5.     FRAME FOR A BEDSIDE TOILET. You can take the bowl out of the bedside toilet and place the frame over the authentic toilet to give you a higher elevation when you go to the toilet and the pain of bending your knee is diminished. Also the rails on the sides help with getting up and down.  Just don’t use the bidet then as the water will squirt all over if you do. 

6.     ELEVATED TOILET An elevated toilet with rails beside it and rails in the shower are near necessities for those of us with hip and knee issues. 

7.      BED RAIL A friend recommended getting one that projects pretty far under the mattress so you have something to pull on to help you turn over and get in and out of bed. 

8.     HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT KIT. When I had my hip replacement at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus/Phoenix City, I was given what I call THE SURVIVAL PACK-- 6 Piece Hip And Knee Replacement Kit - Surgery Recovery Set - Handicap Aid, Leg Loop Lifter, Reacher Grabber, Long Handle Shoe Horn, Shower Loofah Scrubber, Sock Assist, Dressing Stick (6 Pieces). Apparently this isn’t standard equipment. I did not get that in Panama City at Bay Medical when I had my left hip replacement nor was it suggested when I got my knee replacement. I saw it in the gift shop in Mobile but it was not mentioned to my brother when he had his hip replacement. Fortunately, I was able to bring my equipment to share with him until I needed it again.  (You can order this from Amazon as well.) 

9.     PAIN MEDICATION Take it. Have someone with you to help you remember what and when you are to take it. Just don't take it longer than you need it. 

10.   STOOL SOFTENERS There is no sick like the constipation you will have after taking the opioids necessary after these extremely painful surgeries. Keep an extra garbage can beside your toilet because it may be necessary should you also get nauseated.

11.  INFINITE POSITION LIFT RECLINER CHAIR WITH MASSAGE AND HEATING I finally bit the bullet and ordered mine from ASJMREYE online and it arrived right before my surgery. It has been wonderful. 

12. ALEXA My daughter set up multiple ALEXAs throughout the house so that if I needed her all I had to do was say "Alexa Announce" and then give the command and the word reached my daughter upstairs. 

 

Throughout this experience I have been reminded that “no man is an island.” One week after my knee replacement, the pain was so bad I thought I should have just let them shoot me instead. I went to my text messages where a group of my friends had become my encouragers. It is amazing what a friend can do in lifting pain. I decided I would live and hopefully be a better person. Friends called. Friends prayed for me. Friends brought food and sent flowers. They set for me a wonderful example. I am blessed. 

 

Hopefully some of these suggestions will be helpful. God bless you my friend.