Need knee replacement advice for my disabled dad

rochellaa

Hi there

My dad has arthritis in his knees and it’s reached a stage where he can’t cope and he feels he needs knee replacement surgery. My dad is disabled and my mum is retired and I’m the only person there is to look after them. 

I just had some questions because I want to ensure my dad recovers from this surgery and I do everything possible to make his recovery comfortable. 

Please see below questions, can anyone provide their insight or help? 

1. What supplies do I prepare before knee surgery to make day to day life easier and take pressure off the knee once surgery is done ie: a toilet seat extension, walker, shower seat… what else would be advised to have ready? Does the hospital provide any supplies? Can any charities help with these supplies? 

2. Immediately after surgery is it possible to put any pressure on the knee  Ie: to walk from the bed to go to the toilet? 

3. How long after surgery is it ok to put pressure on the knee? Ie: to go to the toilet, to attend physio appointments.  How much pressure is ok? 

4. Best things to do for optimum knee recovery? And best things to avoid for optimum knee recovery? 

5. Natural ways to ease any discomfort or pain while at home recovering from surgery in addition to pain relief medication? 

6. Should the knee be kept elevated while in bed recovering or flat on the bed? How long should he spent in bed immediately after surgery? How long should be spent in bed days after surgery? How long should be spent in bed weeks after surgery? 

7. How much / what kind of activity should be done days after surgery? How much/ what kind of activity should be done weeks after surgery? 

8. Best foods to consume to help knee recovery and best foods that can help pain?

9. How long will a walker/ crutches / frame be needed? 

10. When being released from hospital after surgery will there be a dressing on his knee? Will we need to take the dressing off ourselves or does he come to hospital for that?

11. How to prevent any wound infections to the operated area? 

12. What to do in case of wound infection? 

13. How long after surgery is it ok to have a wash? Is it ok for warm water to touch the knee while bathing? 

14. How long after surgery does physio begin? How often is physio? How do we get him to physio logistically in case he’s not able to put pressure on the knee? 

15. Will we get instructions of at home exercises for him to do alone ? 

16. What stages should progress be made ie: how many days after surgery should gentle exercise be attempted/ what types of exercises and how often? / how many days after surgery should walking be attempted. So that nothing to done too soon when he’s in pain but equally so that he doesn’t stay inactive 

Finally what’s anyone experiences of total knee replacement been like? Are you glad you did it or do you regret it? 

I really appreciate any and every bit of help that can be offered 

poppy123456

Hi,

He can refer himself ay anytime for a needs assessment and they will assess his needs for any help that's needed. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/ If any aids are needed they will supply them for free.

For the other questions, we are not medical professionals and unfortunately, we won't be able to give any medical advice. The best thing for him to do is speak to his Consultant before deciding to have surgery and they will be able to answer all those questions.

Sandy_123

Hi @rochellaa welcome to the forum. It's good that your parents have you looking after them. Has your dad been put on the waiting list for a knee operation?  Or had any injections? 

rochellaa

@Sandy_123 he has his operation in 2 months time and I’m scared he’ll be worse 

poppy123456

If his Consultant thought it would make him worse then they wouldn’t be doing the operation. 

Are you able to go with him to the hospital on the day of the operation so you can ask them these questions? 

Sandy_123

Hi @rochellaa he will need to recover from the op, so may need more help doing this, he should then have physio for his new knee. It all takes time after. 

janer1967

Hi there 

When my sister had the surgery she was having physio the next day.  Was out of hospital once she could weight bare which was only few days 

If a walking frame is required or crutches they will be provided by physio 

No doubt there will be a dressing applied and if not able to change the dressings can go to gp surgery or district nurse will be assigned 

All after care will be explained it maybe worth giving consultant a call or looking on NHS website as there are usually leaflets available to detail after care