Yes, you absolutely need someone with you after a knee replacement for the first several days to weeks to help with daily tasks, mobility, and emergencies, as you'll have pain, limited movement with crutches/walker, and difficulty with bathing, cooking, or errands. Arranging for a supportive friend, family member, or hired caregiver before surgery is crucial for a safe recovery at home.
A: Ideally, a friend or family member should stay with you for the first several days after a total joint replacement, depending on your surgeon's preference. However, this is often challenging for patients who live alone.
If you live alone you will need to arrange for a friend or relative to stay with you overnight after discharge and for a few days after returning home. You should arrange this before you come in to have your surgery.
Most people are able to walk without a walker or cane about six weeks after knee replacement surgery. Recovery is different for everyone.
Other items that may help:
10 Must Have Items After Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery
You can take a shower as soon as you feel confident to do so. Using a tub or shower chair in the bathtub or shower may offer you extra support and comfort until you are able to become more able to move around (mobile).
The biggest complaint after knee replacement is often residual stiffness and limited range of motion (difficulty bending or straightening the knee), closely followed by ongoing pain, despite high success rates. Patients frequently underestimate the importance of diligent physical therapy and the length of the recovery process, which are crucial for overcoming stiffness and achieving a successful outcome.
Most often, you will stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days after having hip or knee joint replacement surgery. During that time, you will recover from your anesthesia and the surgery. Under some circumstances, a person may go home the same day as the surgery.
Weeks 3 to 6 After Total Knee Replacement
Around four to six weeks, many people can climb a flight of stairs more smoothly using the railing, and some can do so without a walking aid. Others may still use a cane or take one step at a time, which is also normal.
If you don't stay overnight, you will need someone to take you home because you won't be able to drive or take public transportation by yourself. It's best to have someone with you for at least the first 24 hours after general anesthesia.
It is helpful to bring clothing items that are comfortable and loose fitting to accommodate swelling. You will have swelling in the lower legs, ankle and possibly other leg. The fabric should be soft and light weight. Please do not bring any tight fitting pants.
Can I be home alone? We recommend that a family member stay with you the night you are discharged from the hospital to ease your transition home. Many are able to walk and manage their own self-care such as bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom without assistance.
How long should I stay in bed after knee replacement surgery? Typically, you should rest in bed for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, light activity and movement are encouraged to promote healing and prevent complications.
How to Recover From Surgery When You Live Alone
Knee replacement surgery involves a little more pain for most patients. There is more swelling and stiffness, as well, compared to hip replacements. Remember that everybody is different. Just because you have pain and your friend didn't, doesn't mean the surgery did not go as planned.
Having a Knee Replacement
Pre-admission clinic
It might involve having some tests such as a blood test and checking your blood pressure. You may also meet the healthcare team involved in your care so you can learn more about the operation and recovery afterwards, and ask any questions you might have.
5 things you probably don't know about getting a knee replacement
Proper walking is the best way to help your knee recover. At first, you will walk with a walker or crutches. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you how much weight to put on your leg. Stand comfortably and erect with your weight evenly balanced on your walker or crutches.
Research suggests that up to one-third of those who have knees replaced continue to experience chronic pain, while 1 in 5 are dissatisfied with the results.
Following your healthcare provider's instructions after knee replacement helps with early recovery. Once you can stand, you'll start using a walker. Use the walker for moving around as long as the provider asks you to. This is generally four to six weeks but may vary from person to person.
A good chair is firm with arms. The chair should be tall enough that your hips are level with or higher than your knees. Your feet should touch the ground. You can increase the chair height with extra cushion or furniture risers.
Most patients use controlled pain medications for the first four weeks after surgery. Opioid alternatives, like iovera®, can also improve post-operative pain after knee replacement. By six weeks after surgery, most patients can stop controlled pain medications.