What to do and what to expect on your journey to a new knee
BEFORE SURGERY: TO DO LIST
It doesn’t offer medical advice—just a straightforward explanation of what you need to do and what you can expect.
- Any questions or concerns, contact your doctor or clinical team.
- Get an over-the-counter sleep aid.
- Have food accessible that is high in fiber (yogurt, oatmeal, bagels, etc.) along with electrolyte drinks.
- Ice machine, walker, cane (Medicare supplies the ice machine and walker).
- (2) Chillin Time Ice Wraps.
- Miralax, Preparation H
- Pair of shoes or slippers at least one size larger in length and width
- Cocoa butter with Vitamin E
- Prescription medications with a written medication schedule
- Line up someone to stay with you
- Schedule in-home nurse and PT appointments
- Clean around your knee with Hibiclens antiseptic soap days before surgery
- No food or drink after 12:00 a.m. the day of surgery
Day of Surgery
- Wear loose-fitting clothes
- Arrive at prescribed time
- Check in and be placed in a room
- Wash your body with antiseptic wipes
- Change into a gown
- IV placed in your arm
- Nurse shaves around your knee
- Anesthesiologist and surgeon speak with you
- Taken into surgery approximately two hours after arrival
Surgery / Right After
- Surgery lasts approximately one hour
- Likely receive spinal block, nerve block, or general anesthesia
- Feeling in legs typically returns within 24 hours
- Feel groggy and hungry upon waking
- Have your helper get you something to eat while in surgery
- Start drinking water right away-you must urinate to be released
- If Going Home Same Day :
- PT nurse gets you up to walk
- You will need to urinate
- If all is good, doctor releases you to go home
- If Overnighting :
- Brought to a hospital room
- Visit from PT nurse and doctor
- Released the following day if all is okay
Released from Hospital
- Once home, ice and elevate leg (toes above nose)
- Caregiver manages medication first week
- In-home nurse visits next day to remove large bandage
- In-home PT visits day after surgery
What to Do and Expect in the Following Weeks
- Fun and challenging-both mentally and physically
- Get your mind right
- Get up and walk around regularly
- Knee pain and swelling in leg and foot
- Thigh pain from tourniquet
- Ice frequently to reduce pain and swelling, using:
- Ice machine / cold therapy unit
- "Chillin Time" Ice Wrap (available on Amazon)
- Swelling typically lasts 2-3 weeks
- Sleeping will be difficult; consult doctor about sleep aids
- At first hint of constipation, consult doctor about Miralax
- Try to get off pain medication as soon as possible
- Staples or stitches removed about 2 weeks post-op
- Appointment with orthopedic doctor once staples or stitches removed
- After steri-strips are gone and incision has healed, apply cocoa butter
- PT starts around week 3 post-op (very important)
- By 8 weeks post-op, relatively pain free and sleeping better
- Appointment with orthopedic doctor at 8 weeks post-op
- Keep exercising to rebuild muscle and stamina
- Numbness around knee may last for some time
- Clicking in knee is normal and should lessen over time
- Foot may seem wider after surgery for some time
- Contact orthopedic doctor or PT with any concerns
- Can resume driving once off narcotics and no longer using a cane
BENEFITS
Chillin Time Ice Wraps
Useful For :
- Chillin Time is great for icing the knee, thigh and calf
- Chillin Time features a unique Easy On/Easy Off design with adjustable Velcro straps making it effortless to apply and remove (See video)
- Chillin Time delivers 20-25 minutes of consistent cold therapy to reduce pain and swelling.
- Chillin Time is made with a durable nylon outer layer and a plush, soft fabric interior for direct skin contact.
- Chillin Time is perfect for individuals who have to have someone put on the ice wrap for them. (See video)
- CAUTION: many ice wraps being sold feature long Velcro straps that get all tangled up when putting on and taking off, causing unnecessary frustration and aggravation . (See video)
ALL THE BEST ON YOUR KNEE
REPLACEMENT JOURNEY!!
Read the full guide and pair it with the Chillin Time Ice Wrap for a smoother recovery.