Post hospital care for knee replacement

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

DM likely to have knee replacement surgery soon, she’s 75, what sort of plans should we put in place to support her? Do you know roughly how long she’ll be in hospital for? She can come to us afterwards (she lives alone), again roughly how long for? Should I plan to WFH during that time or could she be left alone? Can someone typically get up and down stairs (so go to bed) or do I need to create space for a bed downstairs do you think? Thanks x

Typically you have to be able to do stairs before you are allowed home. She will be able to get in and out of bed, on and off the loo and a chair.
She'll be tired and need to focus her energy on building up walking and doing her exercises, it's so key for a successful knee replacement to do the physio religiously.

She could definitely be left alone, just make sure she's set up to get drinks / snacks etc. A knapsack, thermal cup and perching stool in the kitchen is helpful.

All the best, it's really good of you to support her recuperation like this.

ETA, likely 2/3 nights in hospital and maybe stay with you for a fortnight?

Ndn similar age had a replacement hip , last Tuesday is home Thursday. Her family is staying with her each night but leave her a few hours each day.

There will be a recovery period- depends if she is the ‘ I will sit and be waited on , put my leg on a footstool and not do my physio. Then complain about lack of knee bend in the knee and slow recovery’( my friends mother did this)
or someone who is pragmatic and walks as tolerated and does her knee exercises.

It can be affected by other health conditions. Assume she will be using crutches or a zimmer. As a previous poster said-stairs will be practiced/ considered for discharge. Having said that- an option of a bed downstairs ( +/- commode if no downstairs toilet) can give an option of an earlier discharge of progress is slow or your mum is desperate to be out of hospital.

Does she normally have stairs in her home? Do you have a rail both sides? Does she normally have any other equipment at home that you don’t have, grab rails in shower etc? Do you live in the same area so she can attend follow up appointments etc? Could you go and stay at hers instead? Normally knees recover quite well. I wouldn’t expect to be in hospital for more than 2 days. She is likely to need a bit more support for a few weeks but it’s important you don’t do everything for her and she keeps moving.

I found that a raised toilet seat was very helpful after my knee replacement. Also to take any pain medication regularly.

My mum was in for 3 days. Was up and walking the day after the op. Mum was able to do stairs. Albeit with care. Found sleeping very uncomfortable for a few weeks but mum has arthritis in a few joints so the uncomfortableness of the knee just made everything so uncomfortable but it eased off. My dad was around to look after her. The TED stocking are an absolute pain to get on and off. Keep on top of the pain meds.

All so helpful thank you. Yes she’s used to stairs. I can take her to all appointments.

A little bit selfishly it would be easier if she could come to stay with us as I’m a single parent, work FT and we’ve got pets etc, so would be a lot to put on DD if I go to DMs.

She might not be as incapacitated as you are expecting. When I had a knee replacement, I spent 5 nights in hospital then home, where I lived alone in a house with stairs and no downstairs toilet. I could move around the house but I was in pain, however I was considerably younger than 75, so that might have made a difference.

She needs to start physio before the op to build her quads. My ex and DF both had TKR and having strong quads to start with makes a big difference. Once the staples are out, things get easier, faster. DF was 80 when he had his done and it was about six weeks before swelling went down and pain eased significantly.

She should meet with OTs, physios etc pre-op who’ll be able to advise about any ‘stuff’ she needs. It’s an operation that’s increasingly supposed to be being done as a day-case procedure for relatively healthy customers so don’t be too surprised if that’s what they suggest.

I work in a hospital and there are a few day cases occasionally but majority are just overnight stays. Patients only tend to stay for longer if they are having problems with bp, nausea, pain control, etc

I have had both knee joints replaced, but some time ago now. My DH has just had a hip replacement. Your DM will be asked to fill in a form to give details such as heights of bed, toilet, and the chair she normally sits in. Then equipment will be provided to make sure that things are the correct height for use.

I was in hospital for four days, but I think it's less now. Both of us were given epidurals, plus sedation for the op. Knee ops can be very painful, so make sure she takes her meds. She will not be allowed out until she can do stairs. Another thing: both DH and I had to give ourselves injections daily for 28 days after the op. It's very easy, but be aware.

Please let me know if I can help further. Tbh, I think you'd probably both find it easier if she came to you. Oh, and no driving for six weeks.

I had mine done under GA in 2011. I was in hospital for 3 days. I could manage stairs when I came home, and had to do exercises to increase my range of movement. I had a nurse come daily to give me tinzaparin injections.

The surgeon will tell her that she has to get moving quickly, and stay mobile. Families who smother the patient with kindness don't help, so if she wants a drink, she has to walk to the kitchen to make it herself. That sort of stuff. And, yes, the physio and exercises are at least as important as the surgery, in terms of outcomes.

A knee replacement doesn’t have any post surgery precautions unlike a lot of hip ops, so you don’t automatically get any OT involvement and equipment is not provided unless really struggling post op. At least this is the case in my area.

Thank you all SO much, really appreciate it, this has been so helpful!