1. Recovery at Home
Caring for Yourself Post-Surgery
It may be hard to anticipate how your body will feel immediately after surgery – especially as you become more aware of your compromised mobility. Behaviors as ordinary as dressing and sitting suddenly become awkward and challenging. I found the following practices to be beneficial as I navigated the first few weeks with my new knee. The information below is presented in order of use as you prepare to leave the hospital. It is important to remember to take your pain medication before you begin the process of going home.
1. Dressing
Sit on the edge of your bed or chair to increase your stability when getting dressed. Begin by first putting your pants or socks on the leg with the new knee and then bringing your non-operated leg up to fit into your clothing. Reverse this order when undressing i.e. remove clothes from the new knee last.
There are days you may become a stranger to yourself
2. Getting into the car for the ride home
• Begin the process by having the car’s front seat moved back as far as possible.
• If necessary, place a pillow on the car seat to increase the seat height, making
it easier for you to sit. Make sure the pillow’s fabric allows you to move easily.
• Stand at street level (not on a curb) and turn your body so the back of your knee is touching the seat.
• Sit down (you’ll still be facing the curb)
• Turn your head to look out the windshield
• Rotate your entire body to face the front of the car.
• Have someone help you move your legs, if necessary.
NOTE: If you are traveling a long distance, stop and get out of the car to walk every 45 - 60 minutes.
3. To get out of the car:
• Rotate your body to face the car door. WHen the door is open this means you will be facing • Have someone help you lift your legs out of the car.
• NOTE: Do not pivot on/twist your new knee!
• Use a walker or crutches to help you stand up.
3. Walking
When standing, stretch your knee as straight as possible and balance your weight evenly on the walker or crutches. Put only the amount of weight on your assistant device as your PT recommends. Wear shoes with non-skid soles. Take small steps if you need to turn your body and keep your toes pointing straight ahead. Do not pivot on your new knee.
4. Sitting
When home, sit in a firm chair with straight back and arm rests. Avoid chairs without arms, stools, sofas, soft chairs, rocking chairs or low chairs. It is critical that your legs must be extended straight as possble, preferably elevated and supported by padding under the feet, not the knees. Feet and knees should be pointed towards the ceiling, not rotated in or out. Try to change your position every 45 – 60 minutes. Walking is a recommended change.
5. Lying Down
When you lie down, lie flat on your back or on your side with a pillow between your legs. If you need to raise your leg, keep your knee straight. I found it helpful to take a long pillow and place it under the entire length of the leg. At night, my ice packs were always close by. Throughout my recovery I slept on my side whenever possible with a pillow between my legs to alleviate the pain. Later in my recovery, I used heating pads for short periods at night.
Sleeping with a pillow helps keep your legs in alignment
6. Showers
You can start taking showers three days after surgery (unless there are complications). Keep yourself as safe as possible by using a non-slip mat in the shower and keeping the bathroom floor dry. Do not bend, squat or reach for things while in the shower. You can use a stable plastic chair for sitting in the shower. A long handled sponge can be used to facilitate washing.
7. It’s embarrassing being hauled out of a chair
While low, soft seating may appear to offer comfort to a recovering TKR patient - beware! Little is more embarrassing that having to be hauled out of a chair because you lack the strength and mobility to get out of it yourself. Say “Good-Bye” to your favorite couch for awhile. Look instead, for a chair with a relatively high seat and arms. A soft cushion may be necessary if the seat is more sturdy than comfortable.
What not to do with your new knee:
Do not place a pad or pillow under the new knee when sitting or lying down.
Do not sit in the same position for more than 60 minutes.
Do not rotate on the operated leg or twist your new knee.