5. Prehab

 

Feathering Your Nest

The following picture shows what I wish I had had in place before I left for the hospital for my first TKR. In addition to my recovery chair and the other items in my nest, the image below shows the things I found helpful during the first few weeks of my recovery. These include:

 
 

Recovery Items:
Surgery–Week 2

Crutches
Pillow(s)
Seat Cushions
Kneeling Pads*
Loose PJ’s
Eye Mask
Non-skid Socks and Slippers
Wrap/ Shawl/ Blanket
Ice Therapy Machine, Ice Wraps
Water Bottle
Journal
Pill Diary
Water Pik/Oral Pulsating Irrigator
Prune Juice
Newly Planted Bulbs

 
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* Place them under the lower legs to provide additional support and to keep the legs straight.

Other items that may be useful include a walker, an elevated toilet seat, and a plastic chair for the shower.

Recovery Needs 2
 
 

Recovery Items:
Weeks 3–6

As my recovery became routinized and I gained strength, I focused more on exercising and continued to write in my journal and maintain my pill diary. This was a difficult period in my recovery. Sleep was challenging, and mood swings were inevitable.

Pills
Pill Management System/Digital or manual
Ice Therapy Machine, Ice Wraps
Non-skid Socks & Slippers
Eye Mask
Water Bottle
Prune Juice
TheraBands
Lacrosse Ball
Cane
Growing bulbs

 
 

Recovery Items:
Weeks 7–12

By the time the bulbs were in bloom, I was off medication and walking outside regularly. I had also began to sleep better at night and felt myself on the road to recovery.

Large Stability Ball
Therapy Exercise Balls
Lacrosse Ball
TheraBands
Floor Mat
Foam Roller Massager
Ice Wraps
Cane
Water Bottle
Rolled Towels
Bulbs are blooming!

If you are worried about becoming drug-dependent after surgery, discuss this concern with your doctor to find ways to reduce your use of opioids during recovery.

 
Recovery Needs 3.jpg