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Knee Replacement Surgery Post Operative Care - Home Therapy vs Nurshing Home Rehab

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Osteoarthritis
Which recovery method is best for post operative knee replacement surgery?
Physical Therapy at home through third party agency - 100.0% - 1 votes
Rehab in a nursing home - 0.0% - 0 votes
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Posted 6/17/2010 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
All:


 

My mom is having full knee replacement surgery in a few weeks. We are considering the options of home health rehab through Allied Home Care Inc vs the rehab provided at the nursing home. I’m concerned about my 70 year old Mom and want to ensure she gets the level of post operative care she needs. If we select the home rehab option, my Aunt and I can take team the first three weeks to ensure she has someone with her 24hrs a day.

 

I would appreciate any input from others who have been through either post surgical therapies.

Thanks!

Brad

 

Posted 6/17/2010 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Does your mother have some other medical issues that will complicate her recovery? Is she extremely obese or weak thereby not able to walk using a walker or cane? The reason I ask is that the majority of people go home after knee replacement surgery unless there are other complicating issues.

If she is like most active 70 year olds I know, and has the motivation to do the physical therapy that is required, then she should do fine like they have being at home. Has her orthopedic surgeon suggested she might need to go to a nursing home? His opinion should also be factored into your decision.
Posted 6/17/2010 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I echo what Ides said.
I went right home after hip replacement, had home health care - and for me it was exactly the right choice. But I have people living with me (husband and son) and I am motivated to do the exercises prescribed.
My surgeon left the option open to me but told me that 70% of his patients went straight home - and I could guess I was in the more "fit" segment of his patients, and therefore planned for that. He also calmed me by saying that if something worked out differently and we decided I should go to a rehab place, we could make those arrangements while I was in the hospital.
Good luck!
Posted 6/18/2010 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks for the responses!! My mom is fit and her surgen recommends home health care. Having never been down this rd, I wanted to seek the oppinion of others who have been in simular siturations. Your comments are very helpful and we are leaning towards home health care. BradleyB
Posted 6/18/2010 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
I will be having a TKR later this summer myself. But due to reasons of where I live and difficulty getting to PT and doctors visits needed in the weeks before I can drive, I will be going to a rehab center for about 2 weeks after my surgery. If I didn't have the issues with getting to PT etc, I would have gone straight home afterwards too. Glad to hear the forum could help you!
Posted 12/7/2010 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
SongLady and Nanners, I know you both have been on the UC forum as have I.  I am scheduled for TKR in April and I am scared to death about how it will impact on my UC.  I am talking about the day of surgery and the two days afterwards.  Are you allowed to take your Asacol the day of the surgery?  What happens when you wake up from the surgery... and you "gotta go"?  Not sure what is scaring me most... the knee surgery or the implications on my UC.  I will have to get my Remicade within a couple of weeks and worried how that will go. Because of previous blood clots I am going to have to have a IVC filter put into place to catch any clots... that's another surgery that scares me... *sigh*  Does the surgery worry you because of your UC/Crohns?
Posted 12/7/2010 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I had TKR in May 2009. I did take my meds the day of surgery. My UC was not a problem after surgery, because I wasn't eating much and was on morphine for the first 24 hours for pain. In fact, I had to take a small dose of Miralax on the second day after surgery to get things moving again.
Posted 12/8/2010 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have not had my TKR's yet. I was supposed to do one this year, but they ended up finding a tumor on my kidney when I did tests to make sure the CD was good, and had to have that removed first. That kidney surgery really messed up my guts, BUT...I think its because they have to move the bowels around etc when working on the kidney.

But I have to be honest with you, having the explosive diarrhea afterwards really freaked me out. I was thinking, "wow if I am barely making it to the toilet now, what am I gonna to do when I can't walk". That's one of the reason I have put off my surgeries. I know they can put a porta pot next to the bed, but its something that concerns me too.

I probably will be more worried as Judy says about constipation from the pain meds. I am going to go to a rehab center after mine for a few weeks, because I otherwise would have some difficulties getting to therapy. And that way, by the time I go home, I will be able to ambulate better and get in the neccessary therapy. Hugs!
Posted 12/18/2010 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Nor-TX, I was really scared about my hip surgery and my gut - so I know what you're talking about. I tried to schedule the surgery for a non-flare "time of year", but I was SO nervous, that I went into a bit of a flare in the week or two preceding the surgery, which is exactly what I'd feared!
I took my meds the morning of the surgery. I was surprised... there was less prep for the surgery than for a colonoscopy! My natural nerves made sure my bowels were pretty empty before the surgery.... and then the pain meds they put me on slowed things down so much that - it was fine. I even took the stool softeners they automatically gave joint patients, on the 2nd day post-surgery. (and I was walking to the bathroom with my walker by the time I needed to go.) I went four times that day.... and was back to normal.
I arrived at the hospital with several Rowasa and my VSL, which fascinated the nurses - lol! They ended up asking me all about them and I gave a UC 101 speech! (One nurse even helped me administer Rowasa the first night because I had trouble getting onto my side.)
Interestingly, my flare disappeared the moment I had the surgery - so I tapered down on the enemas and was fine.
Hope that helps some....
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