TKR - What to bring to the hospital?

jalith3

Hello all
I am now thinking about getting prepared for the real thing.
The trouble is that I have had no information on the 'small stuff'.
In the leaflet from the hospital there are details about what to bring in terms of medication lists, insurance info etc - but that is it.
Living in Holland and being largely isolated for the last couple of years my Dutch has got very rusty and I am reluctant to use English and here it seems no one tells you anything unless you ask. The problem is 'who to ask' - I've grown very unassertive as of late, and after trying ( and failing) to get assistance in the home last year I've kind of grown silent. It is all a bit too hard now!

I was told I should stop the anti- inflammatories ( Diflofenac) 48 hours or so before the operation to lessen the possibility of clotting. All other medication is OK. I know this.
Clothing - what do you take?? I presume pyjamas are out and log tunics, nightdresses, big shirts are in??
Medical 'compression' hose - I was fitted with those after suffering from severe oedema in the lower leg (side effect from a drug) a few years ago. Do I bring these??
Footwear -if your knee and leg is really swollen after the op, will you fit into normal shoes when you try to start walking again?
Any suggestions or advice here gratefully received.
Thanks

Sarah (** and if you happen to read this, Elna Flinn and 'Bailey'- please find a PM)

ritnew

I'm going in next week for THR and been told to bring any meds nightclothes dressing gown slippers and toiletries, the usual stuff, also been told if I bring my crutches, sticks or any other equipment I use make sure I label them with my name, the nurse also said to bring in day clothes as they like you to dress during the day, which I think is a bit daft after having surgery the last thing I'll want to do is struggle into clothes each day.
I am going to take some reading material. I've been advised on here to take magazines as well as books as most haven't been able to concentrate on reading books so mags came in handy, I might even take the MP3 player my daughter gave me with some of my fav tunes or one of those audio books on.
Not sure if this helps.
Good luck anyway, I'm sure it will all go well for you.

Rita X

mrsmopp

Hi

I got my knee done 6months ago, never looked back its great, pain gone. What I wore in hospital was the tee-shirt and shorts pj sets.
(with my pants under shorts) :oops: :oops: I took lots of magazines and puzzles books in with me, didnt get much reading done as patients in my ward were all so friendly so it was fine having the company. I also used a lot of face wipes, made me feel fresher having them by bedside. Hope everything goes well for you. Take Care x

caravancollie

ritnew wrote:

I'm going in next week for THR and been told to bring any meds nightclothes dressing gown slippers and toiletries, the usual stuff, also been told if I bring my crutches, sticks or any other equipment I use make sure I label them with my name, the nurse also said to bring in day clothes as they like you to dress during the day, which I think is a bit daft after having surgery the last thing I'll want to do is struggle into clothes each day.
I am going to take some reading material. I've been advised on here to take magazines as well as books as most haven't been able to concentrate on reading books so mags came in handy, I might even take the MP3 player my daughter gave me with some of my fav tunes or one of those audio books on.
Not sure if this helps.
Good luck anyway, I'm sure it will all go well for you.

Hi I also took my mobile phone, was allowed to text as much as I wanted. Had similar instructions re clothes- took a t shirt and wrap around skirt and came home in these. good luck to you both
Elaine

Rita X

lindalegs

Hi Jailth,

All the above and your own toilet paper - if the loo roll is anything like the hospital's here it's like wiping your bum with bits of string :shock: Moist toilet wipes to finish the job too are always nice.

I wore big t-shirts and knickers. Some hand cream is always nice as the alcohol gel used in hospital dries your skin out.

Hope it all goes well.

Luv Legs

greyheron

jalith3 wrote:

Hello all
I am now thinking about getting prepared for the real thing.
The trouble is that I have had no information on the 'small stuff'.
In the leaflet from the hospital there are details about what to bring in terms of medication lists, insurance info etc - but that is it.
Living in Holland and being largely isolated for the last couple of years my Dutch has got very rusty and I am reluctant to use English and here it seems no one tells you anything unless you ask. The problem is 'who to ask' - I've grown very unassertive as of late, and after trying ( and failing) to get assistance in the home last year I've kind of grown silent. It is all a bit too hard now!

I was told I should stop the anti- inflammatories ( Diflofenac) 48 hours or so before the operation to lessen the possibility of clotting. All other medication is OK. I know this.
Clothing - what do you take?? I presume pyjamas are out and log tunics, nightdresses, big shirts are in??
Medical 'compression' hose - I was fitted with those after suffering from severe oedema in the lower leg (side effect from a drug) a few years ago. Do I bring these??
Footwear -if your knee and leg is really swollen after the op, will you fit into normal shoes when you try to start walking again?
Any suggestions or advice here gratefully received.
Thanks

Sarah (** and if you happen to read this, Elna Flinn and 'Bailey'- please find a PM)

Hi Sarah

First of all - best of luck with your TKR.

You've had some good suggestions already but here are my additions:

- At least 2 'decent' nighties - by that I mean a good length, not see-through etc. - ones that you will feel happy to walk around in in front of people when you first get up and start mobilising - e.g. ones that look like a long T shirt

- Loose bermuda length shorts with an elasticated waist, or loose soft trousers, and T shirts, for day wear after the first day or so. Depending on your own feelings you may not need to wear a bra or knickers under these to cut down on the 'dressing fuss'. I certainly felt better in myself when I got into 'proper' clothes rather than being in a nightie all day.

- Easy reading - the effects of a general anaesthetic and strong painkillers often mean you just can't concentrate on reading for too long - I was amazed, I love reading, but I couldn't face a book ...

- Some time to yourself - yes, it's great having lots of visitors, family and friends are of course a great support, but I found it very helpful to have some 'me-time' to recharge the batteries (and get my strength up for all the physio!)

- Nice shower gel and talcum powder to pamper yourself on that wonderful day when they say you can have a shower (day 3 I think it was for me???)

Hope it all goes well and let us know how you get on.

Take care

Wendy

elnafinn

Dear, dear Sarah

Thank you for your PM! Fancy having a sister living fairly near me!

I am so happy that you feel ready to go for the op. I will try to give you all the help you need. Just ask. I think it is the way forward for you now.

First of all, I was told at the pre op to bring shorts or even cut off one leg at the knee of a pair of trousers so that the physio would be able to have quick access to looking at my knee after the op. I did not do this and was pleased that I did not. I wore jogging pants (elasticated waist) which can quickly be rolled up for the physio/consultant/nurses to see the knee and they are very comfortable and soft on the leg. If you are happier wearing a skirt, take a couple in. Teashirts or whatever you feel comfortable wearing on the top half. Hospitals are often hot and when you are walking around on crutches you get hot anyway!! I took in crutches but you may be provided with them. That is one thing you should find out.

I packed teashirt nighties. During the day I preferred to get dressed but some patients did not bother. I took in my hairdryer, all my favourite washing stuff and make up, mascara etc., perfume and mirror. Towels were provided at the hospital I was in. I don't know if they do in Holland. By all means take in the compression hose you already have, but you should really be measured for new ones during your stay. I had to wear them for 6 weeks. I had two pairs, which were provided, so I could wash one pair and wear the other alternatively. I had a shower on day 4 and that was marvellous. The nurse came in with me initially, then left me and came back at the end when I rang the bell as I was ready to get up from the chair in the shower. After that, I never looked back and went on my own. I was allowed to use my mobile and I found that I watched tv - could not concentrate on books/mags but did take some. I used to walk about plenty when I started to be mobile and preferred to chat to others, than read. An ipod is good if you like to listen to music a lot. I liked to know what was going on so did not take mine. Nosy I am.

Regarding shoes. I had some slip ons - sensible sort of shoe, supporting the whole foot - so no need to bother with laces etc. My foot was not swollen after the op. If you have no probs with swollen feet before you go in, I would not think this would cause a problem. They just need to be sensible/comfortable shoes/slippers, so that you will not trip/slip in them.

I would think pyjamas are ok if the legs are baggy/wide enough as you will have bandages on the knee and you need to be comfortable.

You know that you must not eat or drink so many hours before your admission to hospital. You need to remove all your jewellery but I am sure you know that. I put it back on after the op, to feel "normal" ie rings, silver necklaces, earrings. No nailvarnish on fingers or toes either before the op but I do not wear any now so that was no problem for me.

I am really excited for you Sarah, I appreciate it will be difficult for a good few weeks, but so well worth it in the end and you will get to do all the things that you cannot do/find difficult at the moment due to being restricted in mobility.

Keep up the cycling, and get the femur strong and continue the healthy eating. You are doing very well.

Lots of love
Elna xx

jalith3

elnafinn wrote:

Dear, dear Sarah

Thank you for your PM! Fancy having a sister living fairly near me!

I am so happy that you feel ready to go for the op. I will try to give you all the help you need. Just ask. I think it is the way forward for you now.

First of all, I was told at the pre op to bring shorts or even cut off one leg at the knee of a pair of trousers so that the physio would be able to have quick access to looking at my knee after the op. I did not do this and was pleased that I did not. I wore jogging pants (elasticated waist) which can quickly be rolled up for the physio/consultant/nurses to see the knee and they are very comfortable and soft on the leg. If you are happier wearing a skirt, take a couple in. Teashirts or whatever you feel comfortable wearing on the top half. Hospitals are often hot and when you are walking around on crutches you get hot anyway!! I took in crutches but you may be provided with them. That is one thing you should find out.

I packed teashirt nighties. During the day I preferred to get dressed but some patients did not bother. I took in my hairdryer, all my favourite washing stuff and make up, mascara etc., perfume and mirror. Towels were provided at the hospital I was in. I don't know if they do in Holland. By all means take in the compression hose you already have, but you should really be measured for new ones during your stay. I had to wear them for 6 weeks. I had two pairs, which were provided, so I could wash one pair and wear the other alternatively. I had a shower on day 4 and that was marvellous. The nurse came in with me initially, then left me and came back at the end when I rang the bell as I was ready to get up from the chair in the shower. After that, I never looked back and went on my own. I was allowed to use my mobile and I found that I watched tv - could not concentrate on books/mags but did take some. I used to walk about plenty when I started to be mobile and preferred to chat to others, than read. An ipod is good if you like to listen to music a lot. I liked to know what was going on so did not take mine. Nosy I am.

Regarding shoes. I had some slip ons - sensible sort of shoe, supporting the whole foot - so no need to bother with laces etc. My foot was not swollen after the op. If you have no probs with swollen feet before you go in, I would not think this would cause a problem. They just need to be sensible/comfortable shoes/slippers, so that you will not trip/slip in them.

I would think pyjamas are ok if the legs are baggy/wide enough as you will have bandages on the knee and you need to be comfortable.

You know that you must not eat or drink so many hours before your admission to hospital. You need to remove all your jewellery but I am sure you know that. I put it back on after the op, to feel "normal" ie rings, silver necklaces, earrings. No nailvarnish on fingers or toes either before the op but I do not wear any now so that was no problem for me.

I am really excited for you Sarah, I appreciate it will be difficult for a good few weeks, but so well worth it in the end and you will get to do all the things that you cannot do/find difficult at the moment due to being restricted in mobility.

Keep up the cycling, and get the femur strong and continue the healthy eating. You are doing very well.

Lots of love
Elna xx

Thank you Elna and everyone else for replying to this.
This seemed like such a stupid question to ask - but I don't mind admitting my ignorance here and I need to feel somewhat prepared before I go. That way I can eliminate some of the anxiety about the whole process. Please don't get me wrong, I have real faith in my medics. My surgeon is a hip youngish lady ( wow! a female orthopaedic surgeon) and she specialises in knee replacements. My specialist too has been excellent. Any concerns and I phone the dept and he phones you back. (I'm not sure whether that would happen in the UK!) The hospital in Leiden is one of the main teaching hospital quite close to here. The problem I've had revolves around a lack of familiarity with the Dutch system and the fact that now there is a real language barrier.
Later on I will sit down with a piece of paper and write down some notes from all your suggestions.
I thank you all for you thoughtful responses and will get back soon
Sarah

elnafinn

Dear Sarah

It is not a stupid question to ask at all. I remember only too well I was nervous as to what to take etc. I was told one thing at the pre op assesment and after the op, it was not like that at all!! I think it was a very sensible question to ask of us who have been there and done that!

It is good to hear that you have trust in your surgeon and that you will be in a good hospital too. You cannot ask for much more than that, can you?

Is physio arranged automatically afterwards for you or is this something you should find out about? Obviously during your stay in hospital you will see a physio but it is, I think, important if possible, to continue this after your return home. I went to my first physio appt 10 days after the operation. I then saw her once a week for quite a few weeks but this varies depending on how well you get on with mobility, pain etc.

It is great as well that you can call your specialist and he will contact you himself. Sounds like a great health service over there!!

Hear from you soon, and I hope your day is going ok. We have drizzle here which looks very set in for the whole day - hope you have fairer weather!! We have had a good few lovely days so I cannot really complain. The soil needs the rain!

Love
Elna xx

lindalegs

jalith3 wrote:

....... My surgeon is a hip youngish lady ( wow! a female orthopaedic surgeon) and she specialises in knee replacements. My specialist too has been excellent. Any concerns and I phone the dept and he phones you back. (I'm not sure whether that would happen in the UK!) ......... thoughtful responses and will get back soon
Sarah

Hi Sarah,

My surgeon, too, is a lady, when she replaced my knees in 2000 she telephoned my husband when I was in recovery to tell him I was okay and the op went well I think she's wonderful and so thoughtful.

Hope your op goes well too.

Luv Legs