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My sister will have knee replacement surgery in British Columbia next month. I will be going to stay with her for the first week or so when she returns home. There is no hospitalization or rehab offered after knee surgery in BC as it’s considered elective, even though the knee went out of alignment after a hip replacement two years ago. My question is this: what do I need to be aware of, take with me, have on hand to make her recovery time go as well as possible. She lives about 8 miles from the nearest town so I want to have everything ready to provide her the best care early on. Thanks in advance for any input you all can give.

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Ask her doctor (or have HER ask her doctor) to recommend home PT after surgery. Also, look into the availability of rental icing machines.

My DH used one after shoulder replacement and various friends with knee replacements swear by them.

Be aware that you need bagged ice cubes to operate them. If stock up the day before surgery if you (and or neighbors) have room in the freezer.
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Reply to BarbBrooklyn
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I used a GameReady ice machine after my TKR and it was awesome. My husband managed that for me, and I had to do it several times a day for 20-30 minutes each time for at least 2 weeks. You will need ice from your freezer. You can rent this machine (in the States)

Your sister needs to be very committed to the PT because it is painful for a while. I was 63 when I had my surgery and was looking to return to playing tennis, so I worked really diligently on the PT.

The pain meds (whether prescription opioids or acetaminophen) will make her very very constipated so she needs stool softeners, a prescription laxative, foods with fiber etc. FY dried apricots work really well for this. Opioids may make her unsteady on her feet. I used only Tylenol and it worked fine for me.

Post-op infections are not uncommon so you need to know the symptoms and what to do in this situation.

Since post-anesthesia cognitive problems are a real concern, she needs to talk to her surgeon about which one they plan on using (Propofol is what mine used). If you sister gets "hospital delirium" after this procedure you will need to consider an alternative care plan for her.
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Grandma1954 Aug 16, 2025
I just saw a video about knee replacements and rather than anesthesia they are using nerve block. With the block you do not have the complications of anesthesia. If this is an option I would look into that rather than "traditional" anesthesia
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You also might want to have her check with whomever will be doing her PT after the surgery, to see if there are any exercises she can do PRIOR to the surgery, to strengthen the muscles around the affected knee. My husband's orthopedic surgeon is a strong proponent of pre-surgical PT, as much as someone is able to do given any limitations they might have. If the surrounding muscles are in decent shape, it makes post-surgical PT easier.
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ForWhatItsWorth Aug 18, 2025
Thanks, great idea.
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You say that there is no rehab offered after. I am guessing you mean "in patient rehab" if that is so let me tell you what my "knee guy" told me when I asked about rehab. He told me that if I wanted in patient rehab he would NOT do the surgery. He finds that there are more complications, infections and even deaths with in patient rehab. he said I would recover faster and more comfortably at home and going to rehab or having PT come to my home.
I am guessing that outpatient rehab will be done correct?
If so have your sister do 2 things.
1. Ask the doctor NOW for any post surgery instructions so she can be sure she has everything in place. Get a walker if she needs one, Get a good supply of ice.
2 Stop at the PT office where she will either get PT or the PT will come to her and ask what they suggest that she has ready.

If it is possible to get a Hospital bed that can be raised and lowered it will make getting in and out of bed easier and the leg can be elevated if needed.
this would be particularly useful if she lives in a house with stairs and her bedroom up those stairs.

does she have others that will help her?
If she has family right there that is wonderful.
If not then convincing her to hire a caregiver for a week or 2 once you leave might help her. The caregiver can drive her to appointments until she gets the "ok" from her dr that she can drive.
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Even though there is no government funding to cover the cost of a week or two of post surgery care I bet there are retirement homes that do offer it if sister would pay for it.
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Reply to cwillie
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I really endorse the icing machine. My LO had a complex knee replacement last year. He said the machine helped a lot. We are in Alberta and before he left hospital, he was given exercises to do, which he did. That was the rehab. A home nurse checked up on him a few times to see he was progressing well which was the case. He also had some strong pain killers. But a friend who had two knees done about the same time, and not complicated surgeries had little pain and was up and about it a couple of weeks. It took him longer. So it varies. LO was 73, Friend was about the same age. I do hope your sister gets through this without too much pain or any complications. Both friend and LO are doing great now.
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ForWhatItsWorth Aug 18, 2025
Thank you! I’m sure she’ll do whatever exercises they give her. I’m looking into the icing machine. Hoping for the best and also trying to be be proactive.
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I’m an OT in acute care - used to teach a pre-op class for folks getting hip & knee replacements. Equipment is important - a reacher & sock aid for getting dressed independently, a toilet seat riser or commode frame if she has a low toilet, and a chair for her shower. Always a good idea to prepurchase a front wheeled walker & bring it with you if the hospital doesn’t order & deliver it post op. I would also look up “TKA prehab exercises” and have her start doing them a few times a day at least a few weeks before the surgery.
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ForWhatItsWorth Aug 22, 2025
Thanks. I’ll check into all that. She’s ordered a toilet riser already.
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Thanks for all the help offered. Follow-up just received from my sister: Her surgeon has decided her hip is not sufficiently strong to do the TKR, and has postponed till further strengthening and more tests are done.
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Llamalover47 Aug 28, 2025
Thank you for your update.
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YouYou say that they don't have physical therapy in BC she is going to need Outpatient physical therapy for the better part of a year the other thing about the hospital bed she's on Medicare as am I due to disability and Medicare will cover the bed in the home if the doctor says his medically necessary so again as someone else pointed out if she has stairs to go up but it could be put in a living room where she has access to TV and hopefully closer access to her kitchen but I've watched 25 years now I've been in physical therapy I've watched people go through the rehab it is initially excruciatingly painful I hope that she does very well with. Also what they don't tell you is she needs to do her "homework" if she is in physical therapy two to three times a week for say an hour a knee cannot be rehabbed in 3 hours a week she needs to get a printout of her exercises and make sure she's doing them at home as well that will help her recovery hope this helps
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Reply to Lassistance22
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help2day Aug 22, 2025
She is in British Columbia (Canada). They don't have Medicare in Canada.
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You’re a good sister for being there for her. First week after a knee replacement is all about safety and comfort — make sure she’s got a walker or cane, a sturdy chair with arms, and a raised toilet seat if possible. Ice packs and pain meds on schedule are huge. Clear pathways in the house so there’s nothing to trip on, and keep essentials within easy reach. Encourage her to do the exercises they give her — even when she doesn’t feel like it — that makes a big difference long-term. And don’t forget to takee care of yourself too while you’re helping her
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