HealthBoards - View Single Post - Hello, here to learn prior to Dad's knee replacement

SpineAZ · 12-25-2011, 08:00 PM

Hopefully the surgeon's office will set him up with what is called a Continuous Passive Motion machine (CPM)which is used in the hospital and at home to keep the knee moving (key to recovery) and prevent the build of up scar tissue. The second common machine used at the hospital and at home is a cooling device for the knee. There are a few different kinds and they function to limit swelling.

I was discharged home with the CPM and the ice machine. I used the CPM 6 hours a day minimum and then the ice machine whenever I was not in the CPM.

In most cases he will be put on blood thinners and in the first two weeks home a home health care nurse is sent to check the wound and do a blood test to see if he's on the right dosage of blood thinners. In addition a home health care Physical Therapist comes to the home for 2-4 weeks (for your dad it sounds like maybe 2 as he'll likely graduate to outpatient Physical Therapy quickly given his type of work history).

The more he can push through to knee flexion (bending) the better he will do. This requires physical therapy. The worst thing he can do is resist either PT or the machinery. Using them appropriately and with enthusiasm (which can be hard to muster based on pain) will lead to a better recovery.

In the 1-2 weeks prior to my TKR I had calls from the CPM company and the ice company. Then upon waking in the hospital a representative from the home health care company introduced himself (I could choose any company I wanted but my doctor recommended their company and I've not had experience with any other). When I was discharged I called the Home Health Care company the next day (i was discharged late at night)and they set up my nurse and PT visits. I then graduated to PT outside the home at 2 weeks. Mine was the right knee and in order to do PT I took strong pain meds so my husband drove me to and from PT for the first 8 weeks. After that I drove myself (but it's only one mile away).

Best items I had for home were handles for the toilet to ease me up and down. I bought mine online at Overstock but you can buy them in the big pharmacy chains. I also had a shower chair from prior surgery that made it more comfortable to shower.

12-25-2011, 08:00 PM	#4
SpineAZ Facilitator (female) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 5,065	Re: Hello, here to learn prior to Dad's knee replacement Hopefully the surgeon's office will set him up with what is called a Continuous Passive Motion machine (CPM)which is used in the hospital and at home to keep the knee moving (key to recovery) and prevent the build of up scar tissue. The second common machine used at the hospital and at home is a cooling device for the knee. There are a few different kinds and they function to limit swelling. I was discharged home with the CPM and the ice machine. I used the CPM 6 hours a day minimum and then the ice machine whenever I was not in the CPM. In most cases he will be put on blood thinners and in the first two weeks home a home health care nurse is sent to check the wound and do a blood test to see if he's on the right dosage of blood thinners. In addition a home health care Physical Therapist comes to the home for 2-4 weeks (for your dad it sounds like maybe 2 as he'll likely graduate to outpatient Physical Therapy quickly given his type of work history). The more he can push through to knee flexion (bending) the better he will do. This requires physical therapy. The worst thing he can do is resist either PT or the machinery. Using them appropriately and with enthusiasm (which can be hard to muster based on pain) will lead to a better recovery. In the 1-2 weeks prior to my TKR I had calls from the CPM company and the ice company. Then upon waking in the hospital a representative from the home health care company introduced himself (I could choose any company I wanted but my doctor recommended their company and I've not had experience with any other). When I was discharged I called the Home Health Care company the next day (i was discharged late at night)and they set up my nurse and PT visits. I then graduated to PT outside the home at 2 weeks. Mine was the right knee and in order to do PT I took strong pain meds so my husband drove me to and from PT for the first 8 weeks. After that I drove myself (but it's only one mile away). Best items I had for home were handles for the toilet to ease me up and down. I bought mine online at Overstock but you can buy them in the big pharmacy chains. I also had a shower chair from prior surgery that made it more comfortable to shower. __________________ Rt&Lt thumb arthroplasty 2012 ; RT TKR & Bilat CTS 2011 Fusions: L5-S1 (87), L4-S1 (93), C5-C7 ('06), L3-S1 ('10) C5-C7 foraminotomy 08