Stay on her about doing the exercises that her Physical Therapy team assigns her.

You, and she, may be surprised at how much she can do after her surgery.

Hope her surgery and recovery go well. You are a good sister.

Wishing your sister well.

I agree with Maddie. Follow protocol religiously and she will be fine.

If she is taking pain meds, make sure she is also taking stool softeners. Gross to talk about, but it alleviates one of the major issues. (My sister is a pharmacist and my husband had both knees replaced.)

If it is possible, in-patient rehab is fantastic. DH had it with each knee. He stayed for the full 20 days with the first knee and for 14 days with the second knee. He got PT once a day and OT once a day. It made for a much more rapid recovery.

WIshing your sister a speedy recovery. She has an amazing sister.

Hopefully her orthopod will give her detailed instructions that covers the most likely scenarios. I found it helpful to have the discharge instructions prior to surgery so that I could be prepared ahead of time. I might have been more cautious though since I had both done at the same time. It sounds like your sister is prepared.

As others mentioned following the PT exercises is crucial. I was a little surprised at how limited the initial movements were. i.e. Sitting in a chair with your foot on the floor and only being able to move it forward and backward a matter of inches. Yet I could get up and walk with a walker unassisted.

Stay hydrated - pain meds have a nasty habit of slowing down the GI tract.

Several of my friends slept in a recliner for the first few nights. We didn't own one and I managed OK without one but It was difficult to get comfortable at night. I was in-patient at a re-hab hospital for 5 days after surgery and then after that the PT came daily to the house, followed by out-patient PT.

Having you with her will be such a help.

She is staying overnight, and they do not discharge you unless you can walk. But still it should be only overnight. She has daily PT, but I think she/we will drive there.

She is upbeat, excited and a rule-follower. I know she wil be a good patient. Her Dr. recc only one knee at a time.

Most recommend one knee at a time. I had mine done at HSS in NYC and my surgeon gave me the pros and cons and then let me decide.

Is she having her left knee done? If it's her right then she might not be allowed to drive until she goes for a follow up and gets a release. I had to take pain meds an hour prior to PT so I couldn't drive.

The surgeon laughed when he told me that he worries less about his female patients - they are better at following the rules. Your sister should be fine!

Yes....she's got to work her butt off! You only get ONE shot to do it right!

I had MCL work done too. The original one, repaired in 1978 was pretty beat up. So, Surgeon made me a new "Mesh" MCL, & anchored real close to my original!

The exercise I dreaded was the "Polish the floor". Foot on floor, & push out, then pull back. OMG....I still remember the pain!!

Get a Breg ice water circulator. We just took ours home from hospital. That thing is a godsend!!! Even 6 months later I used it some.

I was in hospital 3 nights, because I almost fainted a couple times, when going to bathroom, & sitting in a chair. Damn muscle relaxers!! Never again!!

Faron

No tips but sending good wishes for a quick and easy recovery! So nice that you can stay with her -- I am sure you will brighten her recovery!

Sounds like she will be a great patient. Maybe you can rustle up some delicious comfort food. You have the best recipes!

The first week or two can be very painful from the surgery. She may need help with her shower more than anything. Just having a supportive person there the first few times to get in and out, help to put a water-proof covering on the knee (they sell good ones at major chain drugstores), help lay out her clean clothing, things like that.

Tell your sister to not be an over-achiever when it comes to PT on her own. They give you a certain number of reps to do at home for a reason, no more, no less. A friend of mine tried to do more once she felt like it, and it was a mistake.

Lots of great info here: https://bonesmart.org/forum/categories/knee-area.7/?source=main-nav

EDIT: look at this particular thread. Post #2 give all kinds of info for recovery: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/whole-leg-pain.72466/

Use frozen water bottles in the ice machine rather than ice. Much less mess. Have two sets of bottles so one is refreezing while the other is in use.

Best of luck to Sis and to you.

In case she needs PT longer than you will be there, or can't drive, check whether the facility she is going to offers a car service. I recently broke my ankle that required surgery and was not allowed to drive - bear any weight for that matter. The PT group I ultimately selected offered transportation. It made things so much easier as once I was feeling better/home alone but still not allowed to drive I didn't have to depend on anyone to get me there and back. It took away one stress I did not need. They didn't advertise it but I thought to ask.

Just 2 more sessions (of 24 total) and I will be released from PT. Being diligent really makes a big difference in your recovery. Good luck to your sister.

Mtn please forgive my writing-in no particular order:

• BREG ice machine

• Take meds on schedule (DH had a spreadsheet) important to keep ahead of pain and not take once it started

• I had a TRK in March -Mako robotic surgery

disch same day -had to prove i could walk w/walker before they let me leave

• I went for Prehab (8) sessions to strenghten my quads etc.

• Day after disch PT was here to start my inhome therapy - 3 wks @ 3 x per wk

was given different exercices each time she came w/handout of exercise for homework

By end of 3rd wk i was disch to outpt therapy

DH drove me to 1st 2 vsts then I had enough strength (right knee) to safely drive (SUV)

My therapist was great (same person as prehab) without going into detail she made sure I was doing my what i should and I graduated from PT in June (2x per wk)

My OS had stated when I went to my 1st consult that he would do his part but it was up to me to do mine.

^^ I was able to navigate Charlotte airport w/o

any aids (cane etc) at s fast pace when we vacationed last month

Just for reference I’m 70+ 😎

Please feel free to ask any questions that you or your sister may have.

My husband has had 4 knee replacements. The first two on his left knee were disastorous, long story, but a new surgeon and his final left knee and one and only right knee were not too bad. The adherence to PT is paramount. Also, don't let her eschew the pain meds. They help patients to be able to do the required physio. My RN daughter said men seem to have something against pain meds, then don't take them, then can't do the required physio. No harm in pain meds as long as they are taken as presecribed and no longer than necessary. Good luck to your sister. My DH never did use a walker, just a cane for a bit. Oh, a shower stool, if her shower doesn't have a seat, is a very good thing for all concerned.

Yes to meds! As stated it helps w/recovery and being able to do the required PT.

I used the walker for week 1 then switched to cane.

I was Rx'd Diclofenac. Take it an hour or so before PT!!! Ask the care team depending on what's prescribed. Pain meds don't do NEAR as much good if you wait until things are hurting!

The Breg thing just circulates cold water thru a wrap around the knee. I think you fill the bucket about half full of cold water.....then a bag of ice. Put the wrap around knee & turn it on.

I couldn't believe how much it helped!!!

Faron

My husband had both done at once and recovery went really well Back at work before 2 weeks and skiing again within a few months.

I did ok with two knee replacements, you have to get a good nights sleep in order to keep up with your PT. my doctor gave me sleeping pills when i was not able to get comfortable and sleep, it was the best thing i had and when i had second knee done i took them right away and was able to sleep in my bed first night home. good luck to your sister and you.

This is great guys, I am organizing the tips by category into a spreadsheet. With a second tab just for tracking meds!

I had a total knee replacement. Use the Breg ice machine. I was able to get it from the doctor and DH filled it and brought it to me for the first week. Then, I think he got tire and slacked off a bit as caregiver, and I did it myself. LOL. My doc suggested I use it for months. He felt icing made a huge difference and I have to agree. PT is very important. My surgeon/orthopedist arranged it for me. PT came before surgery to check out the house and then was there the day after and every day for a week. Then, I went to the PT office. PT and ice will get her through.

I had three meds prescribed. I forget which one I really hated. Might have been the oxycodone. One of them made me sleep, so I was not up and walking as much as I should have been. I quit those. She really needs to keep moving and using that knee. Agree that sleep is very important, so I hope she has scrips that help her.

As caregiver, there shoudn't be much needed. I only used the walker for one day and could have probably done without it all together. Didn't use the cane much either, although I did use it on stairs just to be safe. Meals and ice machine should be all you need to worry about. I had mine done exactly one year ago. Could not be happier and recovery was a breeze. Well, the day after surgery was not fun at all, but I had been warned by the PT about that. Overall, a very easy surgery.

Oh and the one thing my doc was adamant about was "DO NOT FALL."

ETA: I chose to have my surgery at my doc's surgery center rather than the hospital and I would do it again if I ever need my right knee replaced. Did not want to spend the night. Had only an epidural. Right after surgery, nurse said I would need to walk to and use the bathroom before leaving. A moment or several later, I realized that the walk to the bathroom would not be necessary-hahaha. So embarrassing, but really, with the epidural I couldn't feel a thing. And, yes, she still made me walk to the bathroom. Oh and also, I did not take a shower for the first week until the doc checked me again.

My Ortho Dr called the evening before surgery and asked how i was and if I had any questions for him. Like Cyn427 stated I had to be able to ambulate with walker as well as empty bladder before i could be disch home.

My experience with my TKR was great from adm to disch.

Also, besides the PT person calling that same evening a nurse called from VNA to ask if dhe could come by to do a house assmnt !

She did a walk through to make sure no rugs to trip on as well as shower access (thankfully it is walk in w/a shower seat built in) and stairs.

DH has much better nursing skills than I do.

He took week off and was up and going every morning . I had to wear compression stockings too so he helped getting those tight things on.

Constipation is a biggie because of the meds

I was prescribed omeprazole for stomach discomfort along with aspirin (81 mg) tylenol

meloxicam (swelling) and oxycodone.

Ask if her OS does the NSAIDS for a few days prior to surgery and if they do the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. Both of these have been proven to be beneficial and are standard of care/best practice for scheduled joint replacements.

Wishing your sister all the best. She has a great sister in you!

RN, thanks, I will ask. But I do know she has been taking meds in anticipation of surgery.

@straitlover I can’t recall now how I found out about that website but I found it to be a great resource to validate that my recovery journey was ”normal” for TKR.

The tip from @dedtired about using frozen water bottles is exatcly what I did and was easy to do vs keep changing out ice.

dont forget she needs an elevated toilet seat for a few weeks.

If she is a sock wearer, this is the only sock put-er on-er thingy she will need. Plus she can challenge her good friends in a game of who can put their socks on the fastest.

I received a few after my hip replacement. It’s the little things, like being able to put my own socks on that was a morale booster for me.

They have them at most drug stores.

DH had his surgery 2 weeks ago. I am a huge fan of his doctor and the joint center he and the hospital have put together, but I can't send you that. Each doctor and place will have their own preferences and ways of doing things. DH had a partial nerve block in his thigh for the first 2 days, or nearly -- it ran out a bit early. That helps with the period of greatest pain -- apparently very well. DH really hasn't had many complaints of pain except the stiffness that comes with swelling. His other concern is that he wants to get off the oxycodone as soon as possible but he's still using it. He handles it pretty well, but I can tell he's a little loopy at times. They did suggest taking a dose an hour before PT.

The powered icing machine seems to have a lot of fans, but here they sent us home with a Cryo Cuff and that was more of a pain than it was worth. We use a few ice packs in rotation and it has been much easier (we have an XL gel one like they use at the PT office and some Igloo Natural Ice sheets of Target (sold in the camping/outdoor section (where they have lunch boxes and thermoses year round).

If her doctor wants her to wear compression stockings, I would have 2 pair and get them in the size for her legs now plus at least one larger size (1 and/or 2 sizes larger) and practice putting them on before the surgery. DH has thigh high stockings on both legs -- not sure if that is until his 6 week check.

I don't know how widely available they are, but there is a "baby" company (her words) called ROMTech. The ROMTech is an interactive version of a cycling machine that includes passive, active and resistance pedalling in 6 different circles. I was a skeptic and thought it was just something more for them to bill, but it has been great and DH is swearing by it. He is nearly to his 6 week range of motion goal at just past 2 weeks, he's taking short walks and getting back to near normal activity levels around the house -- he just can't be out and about very long. He credits the ROMTech for helping him get there. I would recommend it to anyone having knee surgery -- if it is available where you are.

As Lascatx said, each doctor has protocols that they think works best. DH’s brother had one of the ice circulating things. DH’s doc was adamantly opposed to them. He said in his experience, they often caused tissue damage. He recommend standard ice packs that were used in some sort of rotating on/off schedule.

Do you have an Apple watch? There are lots of things to be timed (ex. ice packs) or to be reminded of such as meds.

Mtn is great with spread sheets. She’s got this!

When DH had surgery and a lot of medications afterward, I asked what meds could be grouped together. This can eliminate having to take something on at off hour.

Just a personal note-I did not need a raised toilet seat. Also, the Breg ice machine is not supposed to be wrapped around bare skin which they do warn can cause tissue damage. I either wrpped a tea towel around my knee first or wrapped it over my fleece pants.

when my wife broke her ankle and had to have surgery [2nd time to clean out the wound because it wasn't really healing correctly] I had to keep on her to take her meds on sked ... she was on two pills and we staggered them - one a high-power and then the oher a super tylenol - but always had her taking them 30-45 minutes ahead of sked so they wouldn't wear off; luckily just a week of that. Stay hydrated as well. We had flannel rice bags, several of them, which always left at least one in the freezer.