How Do I Prepare for Knee or Shoulder Surgery?

Recovery from knee surgery is not done overnight. Depending on the surgery, it can take days, weeks, or even months. Knowing this before surgery is the first step to really helping you prepare for the recovery process.  First, ask your doctor or your doctor's medical assistant for reasonable expectations of how long your recovery will be. Your recovery needs to be as peaceful and as stress free as possible and The Medcom Group is here to help. Taking the time to make a few preparations before surgery will really help you to achieve your recovery goals. 

Here is a small list of things you can do to help with this process.

• Wash all of your laundry. If this is something you are unable to do on your own, ask for help. Once done with laundry, leave some comfortable clothes out for easy access during your recovery.
• Have a schedule of meals to be brought in by friends and family. Prepare meals that can be heated in the microwave. Eating a well-balanced diet is essential for the healing process. Many friends and family want to help. Having them bring in meals is an easy way to do that.
• Call The Medcom Group, Ltd. to schedule your CPM Machine, SCD Machine, Cold Therapy or any of your durable medical equipment needs. In doing this, you can ensure your post-surgical needs will be met.
• Place items you use frequently out and in easy reach. This can be items to cook with or the remote next to your comfy chair.
• You may need to arrange your furniture to best fit your recovery needs. Widening the pathways between your furniture and adding a bedside table to the areas you will be relaxing the most. Ensure all medical equipment, medications, reading materials, remotes and computers are in an easy to reach location.
• Eliminate trip hazards like rugs and cords. Depending on the type of equipment you will need for your recovery, your favorite chair may need to be moved closer to an electrical outlet. This would avoid power cords being strung across the room.
• Find and arrange bathroom supplies for ease of use. The bathroom is a place that gets overlooked till the last minute. You may need special supplies when using this area. Consider the help you may have, and the room that you have to work with.
• Find things to do within the physical restriction the doctor has placed on you. Knowing you have things to do within the scope of your recovery, will help you to recover properly. You don’t want to get bored and vacuum the floor or clean the garage. Doing something like that could cause your recovery to be much longer.

Most people are looking for some time off from work. They have things they would like to do and places they would like to go. Unfortunately, the time off to recuperate from surgery is not the time for big plans. This is the time for a good book, movie rentals, and naps. It is not a time for vacuuming, cooking, installing the new sprinkler system or laundry. By just preparing a little before surgery, you can relax and recover. The most important thing is that you follow your doctor’s orders. Taking the medications that were prescribed, wearing all bandages and slings, and only doing the physical activity the doctor has deemed safe will ensure a pleasant and productive recovery. Not following these orders can cause you to have a longer recovery or even an additional surgery.