Follow
Share

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.

This is a post from August.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

This is a case where the internet is your friend. Do a lot of research on it. It is also something you will need to follow the guidance of the care team with as you go along. If there are any complications the medical system will step in. Meanwhile it will be following instructions, helping with exercise equipment, icing, and etc.

I wish you the very best.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report
ForWhatItsWorth Nov 3, 2025
Thanks Alva. Her doc is still hoping to get it done this winter, so we’re standing by. Of course it’ll probably happen when there’s a lot of snow on the ground!
(0)
Report
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
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to TenderStrength5
Report

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.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to ForWhatItsWorth
Report
Llamalover47 Aug 28, 2025
Thank you for your update.
(2)
Report
I've had both knees replaced at different times, and I would say the one and only thing that helps is PT, at least 2ce a day. Your sister will not want to do this but it is imperative that she does. If there isn't a PT in your area that will come to your house, look now for videos of this.

Also, lay in some ice packs.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to LakeErie
Report

Start building up muscles now before surgery. Ice packs and walking every hour are key to recovery. I guess we all heal different. I had an overnight at a rehab center and walked out of there the next day. Never used a walker or cane just took it easy for a week or 2. Then tackled PT with a vengence. If I have problems with the other knee I will do it again.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to AnnetteDe
Report

You have received great advice already but one thing that did help me were reusable ice packs that Velcro around the new from Amazon. They stay cold for quite awhile.
I agree with pre op exercises. I had both knees done at the same time and thought I would be going to inpatient rehab but the physical therapist sat the hospital said I was going home and it would be much better for me. I was told not to let my family wait on me, get up and move at least once an hour while awake. Do your physical therapy exercises at least twice a day. After one week I went from a walker to a cane and 2 weeks post op I wasn’t using any aid to walk. The keys are exercise and walking as much as you can.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Exhaustedwife11
Report

What a supportive sister!

I guess planning (mentally) what level of support you will be?

Full rehab nurse/physiotherapist duties? Emotional support & some personal assistance? Maybe housework & meal service?

I don't know your sister. You do.

I know if I volunteered to be the 'recovery help' for Sis 1, I would be just doing light stuff eg picking up groceries, heating a meal. She would do everything she could her herself. However Sis 2 has many health issues. History has shown there would be risk of helplessness behaviour. I could become stuck as the 'live-in help' & not get home.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Beatty
Report

Are you sure she has no access to any resources? Maybe she should ask Social worker.
Every citizen is entitled to Homecare, contact local. It is Canada wide program and although perhaps different in each province but they provide lots of help. Even temp stay in respite facility. My husband is entitled to 28 days per year. They can provide equipment as well. Recovery could be longer than you expect.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Evamar
Report
ForWhatItsWorth Aug 22, 2025
I am not sure, but she’s pretty familiar with the medical system. Her husband has had Parkinson’s for a very long time, and after she fell and broke her hip, as of two years ago he is now in the equivalent of a locked SNF in BC Canada. It was a nightmare getting him placed in the right level of care.

BTW, I believe they did her hip surgery with a spinal, not full anesthesia, as that is a concern of many on this forum, and rightfully so.
(2)
Report
ForWhatItsWorth: Pose your questions to her orthopedist.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

If your sister and/or you has facebook, join a total knee replacement group.
These are people who have had a total knee replacement and someone is always online 24 hours a day in my experience) to offer encouragement, reassure you that you sound normal or your problem is scary ( such as that scary time when you feel you have hit “rock bottom”, lost your mind, and this will never end).
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Jo123456
Report
ForWhatItsWorth Aug 22, 2025
We both have fb, and will join! Great idea.
(0)
Report
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.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to YSinPacNW
Report
ForWhatItsWorth Aug 22, 2025
Thanks. I’ll check into all that. She’s ordered a toilet riser already.
(0)
Report
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
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Lassistance22
Report
help2day Aug 22, 2025
She is in British Columbia (Canada). They don't have Medicare in Canada.
(1)
Report
Hello: I'am a Caregiver, usually the hospital will have her up and walking, before she leaves the hospital. Then I would recommend physical therapy for her, I would have plenty of premade food for her to eat, somebody to help, with doctors appointments.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to seniorconnect
Report
ForWhatItsWorth Aug 22, 2025
She’s literally having this done as an outpatient. Not sure how long they’ll keep her but I sure hope long enough to be up and about.
She’s preparing food ahead because (it’s never just one thing, is It!) she has a swallowing problem and some form of digestive problem for roughage so must have easy to swallow meals.
I’ll be taking her to dr. appt for the first week or so, then her son will be there. Hopefully.
(0)
Report
The TBI puts another level of concern. I presume her Ortho is aware of it. Make sure the anestheologist is aware and I really would look into the nerve block instead of general anesthesia.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

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.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to notgoodenough
Report
ForWhatItsWorth Aug 18, 2025
Thanks, great idea.
(0)
Report
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.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to golden23
Report
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.
(2)
Report
Thanks for some great info and suggestions. I’ll especially check into the icing machine rental, and outpatient PT and at-home PT. Also the type of surgery and potential meds BC medical uses. My sister suffered a TBI many years ago, and certain meds are problematic, to my understanding.
I’m prepared to stay longer than a week, and it sounds like that will be needed.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to ForWhatItsWorth
Report
imadaughter17 Aug 22, 2025
Ice machine: freeze water bottles and put 3-4 in the ice reservoir. Then add water to that. Have 3-4 bottles freezing as back up. Then when the water bottles thaw, replace them with the back up frozen bottles and put the thawed ones back in the freezer. Cold lasts much longer and less dumping of water. You will need a towel to dry the bottles as you take them out.
(1)
Report
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.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to Geaton777
Report
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
(6)
Report
See 2 more replies
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.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

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.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to cwillie
Report

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.
Helpful Answer (7)
Reply to BarbBrooklyn
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter