Once the decision has been made to undergo joint replacement surgery, as with any big surgery, it’s time to start planning. The more prepared you and your family are for the post-operative recovery phase, the smoother you can expect it to go. One huge area to devote time and attention to is your home.
Preparing your home and creating a safe place to recuperate in is paramount. Here are a few ideas, a few things to consider, to collect, to help your recovery be as safe and recover as speedy as possible.
Your Environment
Prior to surgery, grab a family member or friend and walk around the rooms you plan on using as “home base” in your early post-op phase. Look for things you will need to modify… are there throw rugs that could slip you up? narrow hallways or areas that will be difficult to navigate with assistive devices, such as a walker, crutches or a cane? Is there an area in your dwelling that you can choose that is one floor living- no stairs involved?
Bathroom
For the obvious reasons, hard tiles, water, potentially slippery surfaces… the bathroom can be a tricky place! Consider these ideas…
- A caddy for your toiletries- very easy to find online or at your local bed and bath store/discount department store. I had mine packed for the hospital, brought it with me straight through rehab, and kept it stocked at home. It had two soft handles on it, a mesh bottom that drained, it was easy to manage, not too large, but roomy enough to accommodate the things I used daily. I looped it around my wrist, that way I could manage my assistive device (walker, cane, whatever I was using at whatever stage of recover I was in) and tote my belongings with me.
- An over the toilet commode. I would highly recommend a model like the one pictured below, for a few reasons. First, it is pretty stable. With four legs on the floor, it shouldn’t be going anywhere, you can lean on it, as you should, that’s the point. Second, this type will come with a bucket- so you can bring it away from the toilet and use it as a free-standing commode. That can be incredibly useful, especially if you are taking big-gun pain medicine and need to get up in the middle of the night to use the toilet. This commode can be at, or very close to, your bedside, with the bucket attachment, limiting the distance you need to travel to the bathroom in the middle of the night (the negative here is that it needs to be emptied and cleaned, but a middle of the night fall versus that- not such a bad trade off).
- A shower chair. I can’t tell you how tempted I was to keep this one in my bathroom… forever. (Kidding. Maybe not.) Once I was cleared by my surgeon to shower (and oh, what a Heavenly day that was!), grabbed my shower bag, rang my call bell for help and shuffled into the bathroom at rehab to get the deed done. I think I legitimately was in there for over an hour. Wow. That was an insane amount of work. I was not prepared for how exhausting something so “simple” would be. Hands down, the one item I would have crashed and burned without- the shower chair. My stamina was not up to being able to stand very long , especially on a wet, slippery surface. Having a safe, stable place to rest my weary tush was clutch. I was able to soap up everything that hadn’t been soaped in far to long. That was therapy in itself. As the days and weeks went on and I was stronger, the chair kept it’s position in the shower, not only for safety, but convenience and confidence. The LAST thing a joint replacement recipient wants is to fall. One of the highest risk places to fall- the bathroom, specifically the shower. I was golden with that seat
Rest Nest
The “Rest Nest.” Maybe your bedroom, maybe a guest room or even the recliner in the middle of the family room (see my picture at the top of the article 🙂 ). The Rest Nest should be your cozy place, a place you feel comfortable, where you have everything you need at arms reach. I chose my family room- on my first floor, in the middle of what was going on with my busy family’s day to day. Think about where you choose and make sure it is appropriate for you. I chose my spot because I came back home at four weeks post-op. I had done a good deal of healing at an in-patient rehabilitation center already. I was mentally ready to get back into the swing of my family’s day-to-day operations, but not ready yet physically. I knew if I planted myself in the middle of it, I could orchestrate somewhat from my Rest Nest. I could still be involved, without over extending myself physically. I needed to conserve my energy for my physical therapy sessions. That was still my full-time charge, but I wanted to dive back into my family-life too. Being Queen of the Recliner enabled me to accomplish that pretty well. I would NOT have recommended setting up shop in the middle of the action coming directly home from the hospital- there would be a whole lot more healing that needed to happen before that would be appropriate, in that situation a bedroom, with a door might be a better choice, so you can get the down time and rest you need to recover.
Some of the gadgets I kept at arms length…
- The grabber! I learned about the grabber in Occupational Therapy. A life changer, lol! I still keep it handy- my husband and son are both over 6 feet tall, which occasionally means things find themselves waaaaay out of my 5’4 reach. The grabber STILL comes in handy for those situations! In the early post-op days I used the grabber to limit the bending I was doing (I kind of wish I had this thing while I was in the third trimester of my pregnancies as well!). You can find the grabber online, I’ve never looked for it in stores, but I’m sure they are out there.
- Basket of Tricks… or maybe better called the Basket of Necessity. I found a pretty, narrow wicker basket that fit easily on the side table next to my recliner. I thought about what creature comforts I used regularly, and stocked it up… lip balm, tissues, gum, a water bottle, medication, a notebook and pen, phone charger, thank you notes, stamps, etc, etc. This basket followed me everywhere. My kids knew, where Mommy went, the basket went. “Mommy, I’ve got your basket for you!” It helped prevent me from asking the folks around me, all day long for little things, which was empowering for me in some small way. I had most of what I needed right where I needed it.
- Assistive Devices- walker, cane, crutches… whatever it takes. I started using a wheelchair, I had a really, really hard time walking in the beginning. I graduated to the walker and kept that for quite some time. I decked out my walker with flowers (I have no idea why, let’s just scratch that up to too much pain medicine!). That walker was my buddy. Mid-September, approximately seven to eight weeks post-op, my husband was out of town on business and I had to attend a back to school night for one of my children. I at that point was walking gingerly with a cane, but the thought of being in a crowded situation, potentially being bumped into, maybe tripping and navigating steps was frightening. I was very nervous. I enlisted the help of a dear friend, and my walker. My friend helped clear the way, and so did my walker. When people see the walker, they immediately make space. I don’t even think they realize they do it, but they do. I knew I wouldn’t get the same breadth just using the cane. I made the right decision. That night was the last night I used my walker. It’s currently wrapped in plastic, stored away in our basement… everytime I see it I smile.
The cane I used for this surgery (I’ve had multiple knee surgeries and used multiple canes!) had a three prong bottom that was very stable. I was the all rage of the rehab center. Many of the other residents were shocked my husband had “sprung for the big one” because Medicare didn’t cover it! I politely reminded them I was a few days too young for Medicare coverage. They all giggled, so sweet, so funny! All kidding aside, this cane was pricey as far as canes go, but it is stable and that was worth it in our eyes. A fall and injury would have cost far more.
Mindset
- Positive Vibes. Surround yourself with love, light and positive energy. Display the get well cards, flowers, balloons you are bound to receive. If you use social media, fill your news feed with inspiring role models- people and places that make you smile, make you happy, motivate you. Go onto Pinterest and find inspiring and motivating quotes, read them daily. If you are religious, read inspiring devotionals or motivating passages daily. Find what makes you happy, what makes your heart sing and tune into it daily.
This job of healing is difficult, even if you are perfectly balanced, perfectly aligned. There will be days you will open your eyes and say “Not today. I just can’t do this.” or ask “What did I do?” or “Why did I do this?” That is perfectly normal, it will pass. Having a place to go, in your mind, on your computer, in your Bible, with your spouse, a friend, whoever, wherever, whatever, is what will get you through. Your mindset will get you through. You are stronger than your darkest doubts. Remember that.
Now go out there, prep your nest, collect your goodies, these I mentioned and so many more! Talk to your family, friends and healthcare professionals- it truly takes a village to do this right! You’ve got this!!!!
Be Well!
-Laurie
