Hi everyone,
Not been on here for a few months as been abroad.
But my TKR is looming, possibly in December.
I cant find the thread where people suggested things we might need - ie ice packs, high chair etc post op and prepartions pre op (like filling freezer etc)
Would it be a good idea if we could start a list and people could add to it?
If not if someone could point me in the right direction!
Just a thought! Thanks!
Hi there!
Some helpful things are:
1) raised toilet seat
2) shower stool
3) a hand-held shower wand
4) removing throw rugs
5) a sturdy belt that can be looped to fit around your foot to help hoist your leg onto the bed, couch etc.
6)gel packs, towels to wrap them in
7)walker
8) cane
9) tray table for by the bed
10) tray table for by the couch
11) comfortable LOOSE slacks
12) pillows, soft but not too weighty blankets
I found and STILL FIND each of these VERY HELPFUL!
(19 weeks post op on left knee and 4 weeks post op on right knee)
Pre op
Get in touch with an occupational therapist and get equipment lilke char raiser, rasied toilet seat and tea trolly in the house before you go into hospital.
Tea trolly is good because you can carry stuff on it and use trolly as a walking support.
Stock up fridge and freezer but make sure you do not have a partner who is going to accidentally turn this off!!
Read post have I done something awful in a previous life?!!
Order Wiltshire Farm Food for a while particularly if you live on your own. All you need is a microwave and a big enough freezer
If you do not have transport (family or friend) check out not emergency ambulance service that will take yu to your physiotherapy appointments.
Red Cross will do shopping for 6 weeks after you come home.
post op
Keep doing your exercises and be patient.
Be aware this may change your sleep pattern
Allow yourself one or two little treast to cheer yourself up
Hope this helps someone
Good luck with the op
Take care and keep in touch
Sarah xxx
Many thanks Cheryl!
Very useful list
I am going to print these off so won't lose them!
Many thanks Sarah!
Are you saying that Occupational Therapy will loan equipment like raised toilet seats or will I need to buy?
I did read that thread about hubby switching freezer off yesterday - wouldnt like to be in his shoes! 
Many thanks for taking the time to reply!
Daisymay xxxx
Hi there
I'm 7 weeks post op PKR and my hubbie made me a gel pack which was BRILLIANT! Here is how:
Take two zip lock bags
Fill one with bag with 2 x mugs of water and 1 x mug of rubbing alcohol (you don't want the bag to be over full)
Get as much air out of the bag as possible and zip lock it
Place the bag, zip lock end first, into the 2nd zip lock bag, and removing as much air as possible, lock it
Lay flat in freezer
This has worked so well for me, it's colder than the frozen peas and more flexible, and certainly works very well for the 15 mins on my knee.
And, as we say in the UK, it's cheap as chips!
Thanks Ifr33,
Will give that a go!
You can buy the alcohol from pharmacy?
And same size ziplocks you use for carry on luggage when travelling?
Thanks! 
Yes Occupational Therapist will come and assess you and lend you equipment all before the op.
They will also come to you once you are home and check everything is OK .
Sarah
The other thing that I ended up doing was borrowing a second walker so I had one at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top.
Risers for the couch and the toilet are an absolute must.
I needed a cozy blanket to keep me warm when icing.
Actually, in Spain they call in Rubbing Alcohol (not sure if you can get that in the chemist) we used Isopropanol (also called Isopropyl) used for cleaning computer kit, anyhow, it'll cost you £2-3 and that will make you several bags. The ziplocks I used are slightly bigger than the ones used for the airport, remember it's got to wrap around your knee, although 2 small ones (if that's what you have in the drawer) used together would also be good. Just remember, the ratio is 2 water :1 alcohol. I've given mine to a friend who has just broken a bone in her hand, and she's absolutely sold!
The other thing I found useful was a flask of something hot to drink, I got cold when I was icing. That way you (someone) can make it up at the beginning of the day and you have it there at your side.
You will also needs lots of pillows and cushions in order to elevate 'properly'. I borrowed one of those large V pillows from a friend, that plus 2 pillows behind me, and at least 6 pillows and cushions to get the elevation right.
A friend also bought me some 'nice to haves' while I was in hospital, as a result of her own experience a couple of years ago:
Small can of dry shampoo
Peppermint foot spray
Listerine mouthwash
Lip salve
Luxury wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Good luck!
cheryl i found if you put the gel ice packs in a pillow case its much easier
if you are living in my country you would have to buy everything !!, i wish we had such a fantastic system
wow sarah it gets better and better ,we are so behind ,if i saw the therapist coming to my home id think i must of owed them money sarah ye are so so well looked after im soooooo jealous!!!!
that is a very good idea deborah i myself had two sets of crutches like you i had a pair at the top of the stairs .my hubby put in a second rail on the stairs its a life saver il never remove it .so no need for crutches on the stairs
I think it depends on your postcode, I got very little, apart from a pair of TED stockings and a couple of sticks! Also, the follow up seems to be quite erratic. My first physio appt was 2 weeks after my op and I can honestly say I felt quite abandoned as so much happens in those 2 weeks, I could really have done with someone to talk to about whether things were going well, if something was normal or should I have done something else. But then there's the lovely people on this forum who keep us all sain
foot pedels are great to get the bend going when your home .i bought mine from lidl under 20 euro ,or if you are lucky someone you know will lend you them as you will only use them till you manage the bike (stationery )
yes my first physio was at three weeks and your right its a very scary time .im amazed to hear on this forum that the surgeon takes out the clips after the op !! we have to go to our doctor here and pay him to take them out and when i did go to my doctor it was so hard he is up stairs a very steep stairs after 12 days i was pretty scared especialy going down im convinced we must be the worst country for services and from what ive read here the canaries are not far behind !! haha moan moan !! its my only fun
After 7 weeks I have full bend in my op knee and I'm pretty sure that's due to an exercise I kind of made up myself. Using a Theraband (resistance band) hooking it over foot, pulling Theraband up over my shoulder (up the back and down the front) so that you end up with your knee completely bent and foot up near your butt. Relax into it and then push your foot into the band. At first it's difficult, but like everything it gets easier. I absolutely swear by it, and have been doing it from week 3/4.
Thank you!