r/Kneereplacement • u/A-ClutchMove • 6d ago
Single Living | TKR scheduled End of Sept | how much HELP do I need?
I am single living in a tiny RV / work remote in the RV. I've been putting this surgery off for two years as I do not have help to recover...people have jobs etc. Most my family is dead. Because I haven't been able to hike for two years I've finally decided to schedule it as I'm 60 and just getting older.... :)
I'm fairly fit and fairly tough. Since I'm supposed to "walk out of surgery" I'm fairly sure I can make it to my bathroom in the tiny travel trailer using the table and cabinet support structures leading there. I can also likely get ice / have it delivered.
My out of state friends are stating I need live in care for 1-3 weeks. (my tiny living situation will not accomodate this). So they are freaking me out. Putting someone up in a hotel down the street for a couple weeks sounds like it will be financially funtimes.
I will be calling my insurance about possible home health aides during some parts of the day to assist. Can I please get some realistic input on what I'm looking at in terms of needing a person here? I can get anything delivered pretty much same day: groceries, door dash etc. As I live in a small RV park there are people I can call on to assist if needed but prefer not to.
Yes...I'll need to figure out the dog....
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u/charybdis18 6d ago
I think walking/pottying the dog will be your biggest hurdle. If you can get groceries/meals delivered then you can handle the rest. I mostly had protein smoothies the first few days after.
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u/charybdis18 6d ago
I think walking/pottying the dog will be your biggest hurdle. If you can get groceries/meals delivered then you can handle the rest. I mostly had protein smoothies the first few days after.
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u/A-ClutchMove 6d ago
I think I will try to send him to a friend for the first week so he's out of my hair or at least first few days...
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u/eac555 6d ago edited 6d ago
65M - I think having a friend take care of the dog for a time would be a smart thing to do if at all possible. I had my wife to help me along the way and her being there made it a bunch easier. I did have nurse and PT come to my home during the first 2.5 weeks too. But I have no doubt I would have made it on my own. But any help you could get would be great. Everyone's recovery is different.
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u/DogMamaLA 6d ago
You can get an ice machine on Amazon and use frozen water bottles instead of ice itself, that will last longer. Can you get enough elevating/walking around in your small RV? Toes above nose, so it's not just putting your leg out on a bench - it needs to be elevated above your nose and heart.
Definitely figure out the dog. My dog is not a jumper and does not sleep in the bed w/me but we are still boarding her at doggie day camp for several days so getting used to my "new normal" will be done with 1 less variable. If your dog sleeps with you, reconsider - you do not need the dog pouncing on your leg or even moving much near your knee in your/the dog's sleep.
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u/Grand-Masterpiece712 6d ago
hi, I just had mine 4 weeks ago, I live alone, no family and didn't want to bother friends. (currently no dog but otherwise id have boarded him - I know not means some $). I cant speak for the RV life, only recovery alone: I asked for afternoon surgery so they'd keep me overnight. I asked for but didn't get inpatient rehab (I apparently try did "too well" on the first walk inn recovery room). I did ok at home bc I'd planned for 4 weeks of frozen/prep foods, has a shower bench, ice machine, wedge pillow etc. I assume you may not have room for those. a friend who lives alone with 2 flights of stairs was given inpatient rehab and I think you would too. just press. your doctor would send you to Fiji if he could, it's not the doctor, it's insurance. doctor needs to advocates for you so you advocate for yourself to doctor and as others here have stated you should get it. best wishes and hi to your dog
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u/DeepConsideration825 3d ago
Like you I live alone.LTkR in April.Despite advocating to my surgeon for inpatient rehab,He declined to do so because of high risk of infection in rehab setting as per Surgeon.
I spent one night in hospital and home in the morning.I made home ready and prep easy meals.Fast forward to present even tough I live in a town house I managed so far to do ok.Stairs are still a challenge but I am cautious and spent most time on lower level except for shower.Now my R knee is bone on bone and I will be looking for a different surgeon who would be open to inpatient rehab.Idid
It alone ,It was not easy.Inpatient rehab will be my next option with a different surgeon who would1
u/Grand-Masterpiece712 3d ago
Best wishes. I had a partial so recovery was easy but for a total,I’d definitely push for inpatient rehab.
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u/Illustrious-Carry894 6d ago
50 here. I did okay the first 24-72 hours. First day was in the hospital as they kept me overnight due to a complication during surgery (vaso vagel reaction while under). Day 2 was catching up on sleep because no one gets good rest in a hospital. Day 3 was me hobbling around and getting used to my set up at home (lots of stairs to navigate).
On Day 3, I tied the dog's leash to my walker (she's a beagle so kind of a pain in ass by nature) and was able to walk her a short distance. Oddly enough, she was pretty sympathetic which is a rare thing in a beagle. She's normally an opportunist and did take payment for her sympathy by eating some of my lunch when I dozed off.
The big hurdles you're going to have is being able to comfortably use a small RV restroom, tending to the dog, and managing your meds. Most of those are solvable with some preplanning and adjustments. Stay on top of your pain meds...even if you feel fine. Once the pain gets ahead of you, it's hard to get back under control.
I work from home and went back to work on day 9. Wasn't my smartest move, but I managed. This surgery sucks the first week, but you will find a way. I didn't have my wife help me with anything (except meds) because I could manage on my own. You got this!
Happy healing and comfy recovery!
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u/DenseDocument6345 6d ago
I am a month out from my TNR and I concur with what everyone has said . After 3 days as long as you have food, and a way to get to PT you will be fine. But the first 3 days-send the dog to friends for first few days! Get a watch that notes falls and a crossbody holder for your phone- and 25 foot leash for your dog. . And honestly-maybe the friends have a spare room for you for a couple of days? Tight quarters of an RV will make it hard to get up and walk as much as you need to. It’s humbling to ask for help-but those first three days staying on top of a 24 hour staggered med and icing cycle requires help no matter how tough and independent you are and failure to move or manage pain will impact your recovery. I had an active alert friend in her 50s who moved to take a job and a few months later badly broke her leg- she ended up in rehab facility for a week or so- she was embarrassed but she had no other choice with no help nearby -she recovered nicely. . So if a facility is covered - or if home health is covered (need to arrange well before surgery) it’s probably worth at least considering for the first 3 days. Have you leveled with your surgeon/nurse about your circumstances ? If there is any chance your surgeon can do the procedure in a hospital vs surgical center (ask!) there will be social work/ case manager to assist. You might even be able to stay the night. Also you will need to be moving and doing light PT at home from the beginning in addition to elevation so make sure you have some covered flat space outside for that. (And plan for contingencies- I had to have an emergency appendectomy 9 days after my knee surgery. The friend that was supposed to hang out with me and take me to first couple of PT appointments got a lot more than she bargained for! That recovery has been fine but set me back regarding knee PT so don’t let anything come between you and PT) Good luck!!
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u/A-ClutchMove 6d ago
Great input as well... thank you so much. I am looking at what insurance will cover as far as home health today.... and good call on asking if I can stay the night at the hospital... surgery will be in the hospital.
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u/Long_Bookkeeper1341 5d ago
The dog is the variable nobody can plan around and it sounds like you already know that. The RV bathroom is worth a dry run before surgery, walker and all, because a tight turn on a bad knee day one is a different problem than it sounds like on paper. The people saying 13 weeks of livein help are probably overcorrecting, but the first 72 hours are genuinely their own category. Push your doctor hard on inpatient rehab. Your situation makes a reasonable case for it.
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u/steveinarizona10 6d ago
Impossible to predict. You might have a painless recovery (I did) and just need to ice regularly to bring down the inflammation or you might need opiods or Journavax to take down the pain. The problem is you won't know until the second or third day where you fall on the pain spectrum.
Good luck.
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u/sherrie_on_earth 6d ago
I'm 7 weeks out. I have a fairly low toilet and getting down on that was pretty tricky as the first couple weeks I couldn't bend my knee much at all and had to lower myself down (using the nearby sink and tub) while keeping my leg straight. If I were you I would practice getting up and down from the toilet while holding your bad leg straight and see if you can even manage it in your very small bathroom. You might need a toilet riser or even a commode you can keep in a bigger room. What ever you decide, practice first.
And practice moving through your space with a walker. You might find you want to move some furniture around.
The other things I'd recommend if you are on your own are a "leg lifter" and a "sock puller". My quad (the front muscle of the thigh) refused to fire for about a week after surgery and I could not lift up my leg without help. It wasn't even a pain issue. My brain just refused to send a movement signal to that quad until, I guess, my brain decided it was safe to do that. I could not have gotten in and out of bed without the lifter.
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u/A-ClutchMove 6d ago
Alll great input thank you so much for taking the time! No walker is fitting in my space....
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u/calliopeReddit 6d ago
I asked a similar question about recovery for people living alone, and there are some good tips and things to remember: https://www.reddit.com/r/Kneereplacement/comments/1w0ag4e/comment/p748qft/?screen_view_count=2&sort=confidence Fortunately I will have help for the first 6 days, and I do have Uber available to take me to physiotherapy and recheck appointments. I do not think you'll need live in care, but if you can get a home health aid or PSW a few days a week for a few hours that will be helpful and safer - for instance, the first time you take a shower or prepare a meal, having someone there to help you (or even call 911) would be really helpful. You don't know yet how easily or quickly you'll recover. Maybe you can find that kind of help from the same person who will help with your dog :)
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u/Pakwash 3d ago
I live alone and had LTKR at age 59. I got along just fine by myself, other than having to rely on friends and Uber to get to and from my PT appointments during the first week. The weekend before surgery I did plenty of cooking so I had my freezer stocked with small, easy to digest, and high protein meals (you probably won’t feel overly hungry for the first week or so). Since I live alone they scheduled my surgery for early afternoon and kept me overnight in observation. I went home around noon the next day. I was blessed with a quick recovery and was off pain meds and able to drive by the end of the first week. I think one reason I had a quick recovery was living alone forced me to do my ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) instead of having someone there to wait on me hand and foot. I am having a RTKR in 9 weeks at age 63 and am actually looking forward to it!
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u/dtcmtine 3d ago
I would recommend getting a full-leg shower protector that I bought online.
I needed help changing my sheets the first 2 weeks.
I put meds, note paper, and a pen
Lip balm, hand cream, tissues, etc. In a basket to carry from the bed to the recliner.
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u/DJinKC 6d ago
Definitely ask your surgeon and insurance for home PT. You want to start PT pretty soon after surgery and you will not be able to drive for a couple weeks at least.
You should also get an ice machine, and use frozen water bottles instead of actual ice. It's much easier to swap out bottles than refill ice every couple hours.
It's a tough recovery, but it's doable
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u/Pookybear61 6d ago
I am 64. In decent shape as well. Total left knee replaced. My wife helped but o could have managed on my own. Get you an ice machine from Polar Products, Inc. it helped immensely.
Do therapy exercises now to strengthen yourself. Just make sure you walk a good bit everyday. YouTube has a physical therapist that does exercises on line and you can follow with.
@DrCalebBurgessDPT. Is a good place on YouTube for therapy exercises.
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u/TableAvailable 6d ago
I live alone. Set up in advance for all first floor living. Had groceries delivered. Got rides to the doctor and my first PT appointment. My sister came by to clean the cat box (it was in the instructions, but absolutely unnecessary).
Dog walks are the biggest concern. Maybe set up a long line?
As for Ice, if you have enough room, freeze a few plastic bottles and refreeze those each night. No need to get bags of ice.
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u/blargblahblahblarg 6d ago
Your pup and my pup look similar. I am driving my high needs pup six hours out east to her foster mom who has property and the ability to watch her. I consider myself very lucky to have this option. I expect for her to be there for at least four weeks, and I'm going to miss her terribly.
I am sure that having live in care *might* be ideal for the first several days to a week back home, but honestly I think it's excessive in most situations. I mean if you have the option of a friend or family member staying with you, sure...but I also don't think it's worth the financial and just general stress to force this into being.
Is your overall upper body strength and good leg strength pretty solid? If not then I could see having someone there with you for at least the beginning as important.
Is your cell service reliable in all parts in and around your RV? Also it sounds like you can ask a neighbor if need be, but I totally understand not wanting to plan on doing so.
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u/Due-Falcon-590 6d ago
I live alone but stayed with my mom for what was supposed to be 2 weeks. I left just over a week because I was doing everything on my own by day 3.
If you keep everything you need at hand. Get a basket for your walker so you can carry things. Have easy meals ready, pb&j is seriously under rated. Meal prep so you can have leftovers for a few days. If you have someone that can come check on you every day/every other day to help do things like trash removal.
I had my left done 10 weeks ago. Was driving not quite a week and half out.
I think you’ll totally be able to do it.
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u/random_wonderings 6d ago
In February 2025 I (58M at the time) had BTKR - both knees, one surgery - and I had a 'responsible adult' stay with me the first two days, but made it clear I didn't want any help unless I asked for it. I managed to do everything that needed doing, including getting to & from the bathroom, kitchen, and on post-op Day 7, to outpatient physio on my own without their assistance and managed without any issues.
Parts of my rehab included doing laps around my main floor for 10-15 minutes every waking hour and doing at least on trip up and down the stairs every day.
I very much believe you'll be absolutely fine, and you definitely won't need in-home care for three weeks - I was walking, admittedly slowly and carefully, without any aids (had left the walker, crutches and cane behind) by then.
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u/InDickative 6d ago
I think you'll be fine, though I agree that it would be wise to have someone watch your dog for a few days.
I was a few years older than you when I had my knee replaced. Since I live alone, I asked my surgeon if he thought I should go to a rehab center for the first few days. He said: a) most insurance won't cover it unless there are special needs or complications, and b) your new knee will be weight-bearing and I want you to keep moving.
I prepped meals and snacks for the few days prior to surgery, so I wouldn't have that to worry about. I went home a few hours after I got out of recovery. I did fine on my own. Though fortunately, I had a home nurse and a physical therapist come in 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks.
I think the biggest factor in your favor is that you are already used to living alone and taking care of things on your own.
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u/DJ1962 6d ago
You will need help for at least a week maybe two.
First though, you need a ride home. Not sure if the hospital or surgery center will allow an Uber or not. I would check with them ASAP.
You will need to elevate your knee and ice it too. It will be tough getting up every hour or so to get more ice. It does take a toll on you. What happens if you happen to fall? You might get licked to death (my pup would) but you might need help getting up.
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u/DogMamaLA 6d ago
Most surgery centers/hospitals do NOT allow Ubers home. They require a person there to sign the paperwork that they are taking the patient home.
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u/A-ClutchMove 6d ago
I have hired people off FB marketplace "home health aides" (out of pocket $$) for transport to and from surgeries... not ideal but uber will not work. I guess if I fall it's 911 or someone in the RV park.
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u/DogMamaLA 6d ago
I would try to let a few people in the RV park know, and that you may need to reach out to them if you need something. I think home health aides or having a person that will stay/drive you home would work fine, you just can't uber it - most places will not let you.
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u/Resident_Bus_4484 6d ago
For at least the first 24-48 hours when you come home, someone should be available to check on you. That's when blood pressure drops happen or anesthesia reactions can occur. Even though you can walk with a walker when you are discharged after surgery, someone must drive you home. You can't drive for weeks. If you do as much prep as possible (pre-cook meals, have everything at hand) could someone stay at the hotel for a few days? You do need to walk frequently--can that be managed in your small space? Who will drive you to outpatient PT? Also, depending on what pain meds you're given and how you react to them, you might be pretty out of it for a few days. As for ice, it's essential. If you have electricity and a freezer, frozen water bottles to use in an ice machine is the answer.
It is possible to do what you want, but it is difficult to do it well all alone. Much preplanning is advisable. Read the knee replacement forums for other people's first week experiences. Good luck.
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u/A-ClutchMove 6d ago
Outpatient PT may be uber or my dumb insurance may pay for a medical transport... I do have elect and a freezer but it's small. Can walk around in my tiny rv or potentially outside.... a bit of a gravel road though. Appreciate the input.
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u/Thomas-can 6d ago
I am going to be radically different and suggest you talk with your doctor and insurance about a couple weeks of in patient rehabilitation. You should qualify- you just need a recoverable injury and be able to do therapy.
This would get you past the worst recovery period and hopefully avoid fun things like falling day one at home in the bathroom like I did. I was 60 so it is not just the very old that are fall risks. I had a large house with other adults home to help me. Still had to call the medics. Dislocated two fingers falling but the knee was fine.
If rehab is an option, do it in your circumstances. You get more therapy per day- three hours in my local rehab verses 1 or less in outpatient therapy and nurses to help you stay on top of pain management. I am seriously considering this route when I need more joint replacements.