Gosh I wish I had thought of this: For the two weeks before going in for surgery, practice with the assistive device of choice to build up appropriate muscles, and do sit-ups (if possible) to tone stomach and back muscles, as they are needed for sitting up...doing this might have helped me avoid pulling muscles and causing myself even more discomfort in my early recovery.
My ability to balance is very poor, so I was not embarrassed to choose a walker. It is really much safer and more stable than crutches. There is also a rolling knee walker, which I liked for trips for any length. These can be rented or bought…your choice. Unfortunately, anyone who rents or sells these things does not like to bill insurers…and would need to be "in network" too if you want to get your money back. I chose comfort over financial reimbursement, and had to pay for the rental out of my own pocket. So with that in mind, crutches and walkers can often be found at thrift stores for about five bucks…just be sure to clean whatever it with disinfectant thoroughly. There are limits, i.e., I would NOT buy a used shower chair or raised toilet seat. I also own a couple of canes that I've had for a while now; canes of a correct height are harder to find used, but maybe you have a friend or relative you can borrow one from. Otherwise, it’s twenty bucks at the drug store for that piece of the puzzle.
My ability to balance is very poor, so I was not embarrassed to choose a walker. It is really much safer and more stable than crutches. There is also a rolling knee walker, which I liked for trips for any length. These can be rented or bought…your choice. Unfortunately, anyone who rents or sells these things does not like to bill insurers…and would need to be "in network" too if you want to get your money back. I chose comfort over financial reimbursement, and had to pay for the rental out of my own pocket. So with that in mind, crutches and walkers can often be found at thrift stores for about five bucks…just be sure to clean whatever it with disinfectant thoroughly. There are limits, i.e., I would NOT buy a used shower chair or raised toilet seat. I also own a couple of canes that I've had for a while now; canes of a correct height are harder to find used, but maybe you have a friend or relative you can borrow one from. Otherwise, it’s twenty bucks at the drug store for that piece of the puzzle.
For showering, I used a Rubbermaid step-stool, set in the tub, which put me at the correct height to perch my leg on the side of the tub and put the shower curtain over it (although I also wrapped it in a kitchen garbage bag and used blue painter’s tape to close it at the top, as that doesn’t pull your skin). This was my $8.99 solution to the usual $30 cost of a shower chair. It also helped to have a shower pillow or something firm on which to rest the weak knee on the side of the tub. And…I know you think you won’t need a grip bar forever, but once you get used to having one to help you step in and out of the shower, you’ll be amazed at how often you use it.
Leg prop. I was instructed to keep my leg up for a ridiculously long time. Since I didn't want to permanently smoosh all my fluffy bed pillows, I got a firm back-rest pillow for maximum flexibility at lowest cost (I think mine was $10 at Ross). Turn it on its back or front for a perfect leg prop and add or subtract bed pillows as needed.
Blue ice packs…I ended up with a few in different sizes. I absolutely needed these for the first two weeks to calm swelling, which would sneak up on me like a recurring bad dream and is not solved by pain medication. I kept one set frozen at all times, as night-time can be difficult for the first week or 10 days. I learned to gently snug a smaller one into the open toe of my cast for maximum relief, and leave a couple of large ones under the cast, wrapped in a dish towel, most of the time.
Pain pills and antibiotics: I am nobody's hero. I pre-filled and was sure there were refills of the pain meds available. I kept lots of small water bottles within reach…maintaining hydration is very important to recovery. When the pain starts in, there was no way I wanted to get up for a glass of water.
And, oh yeah, knee-high compression stockings. I got my on-line from FootSmart.com. It was nice to have a pair handy when the time came.
Okay, so to re-cap the list of supplies:
1. Walker/crutches plus cane;
2. Consider rental/purchase of knee walker;
3. Shower stool with garbage bag big enough for your appendage and blue painter’s tape;
4. Elevated toilet seat and/or grip bar (I have a small bathroom…I’ve installed my grip bar in lieu of a towel rack, and it helps me get up off the toilet as well as get in and out of the tub)
5. Firm compression knee-high stockings;
6. Pillows…you will need lots;
7. Blue ice packs…again, buy multiples;
8. Pain meds, antibiotics; 91% rubbing alcohol; preferred stool softener (prune juice works);
9. Comfy, easy-to-change loungewear;
10. Food, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and lots of H2O.
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