Insights from a Patient Who Has Undergone Knee Replacement Surgery

Insights from a Patient Who Has Undergone Knee Replacement Surgery

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Even if I, the largest infant on the planet, had a knee replacement, you can do it too! It is time to start getting ready for your knee replacement after you and your doctor have decided it is necessary.

The first thing you should do is contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage. Determine in advance the exact length of time you will be permitted to remain in the hospital. On the fourth day following surgery, many insurance companies may require you to leave the hospital and may even send you to a nursing home, which is what they call a "rehabilitation facility" in their lingo.

From what I remember, my transfer to the nursing home occurred on a Friday. Because of this, their visiting physical therapist could not assess me until Monday. This is the reason why, in the span of three days, my new knee went from being able to bend at a 90-degree angle to only a 70-degree angle. I had to start the rehabilitation process from the beginning because all I had done in the hospital had been for naught. Before your knee replacement surgery, you should know that you will aim for a 125 degree bend.

I will spare you the details of the other drawbacks of nursing home life. Remember that this is a nursing home? One amusing thing that did happen was that I was the hottest new girl. Knowing how the insurance company will handle you prior, during, and after your knee surgery is crucial.

Inquire about the following by calling the number shown on your insurance card:

• Identify the person you are corresponding with, their role, and their extension number.

• I am interested in learning about the benefits of a total knee replacement.

Is the hospital where my knee replacement surgery is performed going to cover my skilled physical therapy? Can you tell me the answer? Is it so? If so, which ones?

Will the Knee Replacement cover my rehabilitation costs? Can you tell me the answer? Is it so? If so, which ones? Tell me where I may get these services.

Do the costs of rehabilitation after a knee replacement fall under my insurance policy? Can you tell me the answer? Is it so? If so, which ones? Would I have to pay anything out of pocket?

Will I be eligible for continued coverage of outpatient therapy following my knee replacement? Can you tell me the answer? Is it so? If so, which ones? Where can I find service providers?

Will there be any assistance with home treatment following my knee replacement? Can you tell me the answer? Is it so? If so, which ones? When I need home health care following my knee replacement, which services may I contact?

Invest in a bar fridge to set up on the nightstand next to your bed so you may continue to live independently following knee replacement surgery. Upon your return, this will prove to be really useful. Be sure to include a variety of beverages, milk, Jell-Os, and individual pudding bites within it. Another healthy snack option is fresh fruit. Acquire the 2-ounce boxes of cereal and arrange them next to the fridge. Place a big plastic cup on the bedside table and use a golf ball as a weight to keep it from toppling over; this will contain plastic cutlery, spoons, and knives. Toss the plastic bowl once you've used it to hold the cereal. Individual lunch kits are created by Bumblebee Tuna and include crackers and a small wooden spoon.

Acquiring these small items will empower you to feel self-sufficient by allowing you to procure breakfast, snacks, and the occasional lunch without assistance. Additionally, it provides a brief respite for the caregiver. For days when I felt like I couldn't eat because of pain or medicine, I made sure to have either Slim Fast or Boost on hand in the fridge.

The moment has come for smokers to quit or significantly reduce their consumption. In the days leading up to a major operation, smoking might narrow your blood vessels, making the process more difficult. Losing a few pounds should be your goal if you have a tendency to be somewhat overweight. A little less force applied to a freshly repaired knee joint equals a little less discomfort. Submit your sermon now.

Before your knee replacement surgery, gather the folks who will be there to assist you recover. Trust me, you'll need them. Employ someone to come in for three to four hours every day if you're able to do so. They will assist you in getting out of bed, taking a shower, and putting on clothes. They not only make sure you eat, but they also assist you with your therapy exercises, provide companionship, and even take a load off your partner. Find out when you can interview them now. Some places you might look for a partner who is also seeking for additional income are your church or the retirement home where you reside.

Not absolutely necessary, but I think it's prudent. Prepare for the unexpected by donating two pints of your blood. Finish this at least one week before to your operation. You are required to provide one pint per week. Do not donate blood for at least five days if you are on antibiotics. Present the card bearing the unit number that you were given by the blood bank when you check into the hospital.

Do not utilize the bars that hold your towels; instead, you should install grab bars in your shower or tub. Installing them isn't hard, and you'll be thankful for the support they provide in the months following surgery. Get them in before your procedure. There is a serious problem with safety here. You may find it challenging to maintain your balance in the days following knee replacement surgery. To sit on while you wash, invest on a shower stool. To prevent abrasions on your newly repaired knee, your doctor may prescribe a cast protector.

One rubber mat should be placed inside the shower or tub, while the other two should be placed outside in a parallel arrangement. A wet bathroom floor is not something you want to stumble across.

If you want to wash your body in the comfort of your own bed, you can purchase a disposable body wash cloth. When you're too lazy to take a shower, heat them up in the microwave and use them instead. You can get them in sets of eight. But I only used four, even though the instructions state to use all eight for a single bath. All you have to do is seal the last four and put them away for later.

Please do not wear flip-flops; instead, wear full-coverage slippers with a non-slip sole. Additionally, for stability, you'll need a pair of shoes with laces.

Among the other things you could require are:

• Remote-controlled television

• Numbers for phones and emergencies

• A bathroom nightlight

Hand-washing wipes

Paper for the toilet and bedside

• Cells

• A toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss

• A bell that can be rung to summon help

Keeping all of your home's paths clear is another good idea. Rugs, wires, cushions, and magazines are common tripping hazards. Take everything from the floor in front of the bed and the chairs. Remind your pets to behave themselves. Accidents might happen when a lively puppy or a slumbering cat is in the wrong place.

Have your nails done, feet pampered, and hair cut. At least eight weeks will pass before they are replaced. Indulge with a massage if you're in the budget. Enjoy a lengthy, steamy soak with plenty of bubbles if that's your idea of a good bath. For the time being, this is going to be your final opportunity to use your tub for that purpose.

Make a Declaration and Directive for a Living Will. Appoint a health care surrogate and sign a durable power of attorney or proxy. These are crucial for your safety and security.

Be careful not to take anything of value. Just leave your valuables (purse, wallet, cash, jewelry) at home. Apply some makeup if you are a woman. It will alleviate your pain and distract you from your knee for a bit. Even if you don't read it, bringing a book in the office will give you something to do while you're there.

ON, AFTER, AND DURING YOUR SPECIAL DAY

On the day of your procedure, things will go as follows:

Follow the admissions office-specified time to the hospital to the letter. You must complete the necessary paperwork prior to being admitted.

You will be taken to the pre-operative room by the nurses to discuss your medical history and test results after you are admitted. You will be prepared for surgery by them. Up to this moment, the person who brought you to the hospital can remain with you.

Prior to surgery, the nurses will provide the antibiotics you've been prescribed by inserting an IV.

The "holding area" of the operating room will be the location to which you are transported on a gurney.

Here is where the anesthesiologist will meet with you before surgery. He wants to know your weight. Lie never ever crossed your mind. How much anesthetic you will receive is proportional to your weight.

Due to the anesthesia, you may feel drowsy when you awaken from surgery. You can expect soreness at the incision site and a dry mouth after surgery. A pain reliever and some ice chips will be brought to you.

At the location, you should expect to see a large bandage and a drain.

To reduce the likelihood of blood clots, you might be required to wear compression stockings on both legs.

Go to a room in the Orthopedic/Surgical Unit after your respiration, pulse, and blood pressure are stable.

Recuperating from surgery will take up the rest of the day. Get as much sleep as you can since you're going to be exhausted. Although it may be inconvenient, the nurses will be checking your vital signs frequently, which may cause you to be awakened. Take use of today to rest, unwind, and maintain your composure. I begin my physical therapy tomorrow.

If you are awake and able to do so following surgery, you may be given water to drink. You will start with a mild diet and gradually add more solid foods as your body adjusts.

• A PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) may have been prescribed by your doctor to help you manage your pain medication, injections, or pills. The nursing team will give you more instructions on how to utilize the PCA button if it is ordered.

• On occasion, the nurse may ask you to use a scale from 0 to 10 to indicate how severe the pain is. From 0 (no pain) to 10 (the greatest pain ever), the magnitude of the sensation is illustrated. Just be real!

• Cough and take deep breaths as instructed. To keep your lungs clear of congestion, do this every one to two hours while you're awake. An incentive spirometer may be prescribed by the doctor for the patient to use. Breathe out slowly, hold for three seconds, and then breathe in. Carry out this task ten times per hour while awake.

• To lower the danger of leg blood clots, while awake, stretch your ankles ten times every hour.

For better circulation and less skin irritation, switch positions every couple of hours by turning from your back to your sides.

For more detailed information about the operation, including visual aids, visit www.JointReplacement.com. There, you may find every single detail.

Sure, it's the day following surgery, and the PT staff is aware that you're in the facility; they even have your room and bed numbers. Oh, I see. They're coming. Give yourself up to the therapists; they're experts with people like you. It's going to hurt. Take a pain reliever thirty to forty minutes before your therapist is supposed to come if you can get the exact time from the nurses.

Things that a doctor should have brought to your home by a medical supply store and that your insurance should pay for:

• Arms extended over the toilet

One nightstand with a toilet next to the bed

Mobility device

Problems with

• A shower cast or wound protection

In particular, a "Reacher Arm" is useful. When you drop something or can't reach it, it's perfect for picking it up.

Follow the doctor's instructions for the workouts precisely. You will return to your fitness level more rapidly if you do them frequently. I won't sugarcoat it: those exercises will hurt, but they're necessary. Do aquatic exercises in a pool if you have one; they strengthen ligaments and muscles, making future workouts less painful.

Lastly, get the maximum amount of sleep you can. Your body repairs itself as you sleep!


I assure you, it will be worthwhile in the end, so best of luck with your replacement!

No way!

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