How soon can I get back to sleep upstairs after a knee replacement?

My OH had both knees replaced at same time, a few years ago. Only aids he was given were crutches. We set up a bed for him downstairs but after 2 nights he decided he wanted to sleep upstairs again and was able to manage stairs.

The strong pain relief he was prescribed didn't agree with him, so it was just max dose of paracetamol. However, ice packs were a great help- just keep some in freezer and replace every few hours.
There's a website called Bonesmart which is very useful.

I have had both knees replaced. I demonstrated that I could go up and downstairs while still in the hospital. Back home I slept upstairs straight away. Fortunately we have a downstairs loo so during the day I didn’t have to struggle up and down to use the loo.

Someone has lent me a sock putter-on gadget! They had a hip replacement, so I don't know if I would need this post op for a knee replacement. I practiced using it recently, as pre-op I am struggling to bend my knee properly - and it's brilliant! Also I have been given a grabber thing, for if I drop things on the floor post op and struggle to pick them up. I use it now, occasionally. I will get some help initially at home, but live alone - so mostly will have to get by, while recovering.

You'll be able to go up stairs after a TKR. Check the hip and knee thread for info.

You may need to borrow a raised toilet seat. Having a toilet downstairs and one upstairs will make life much easier.

As suggested you will be able to sleep in your own bed on discharge. Very few people need a bed downstairs.

As Aveline suggested, read through the hip and knee thread, and you will pick up many helpful hints and tips.

We don't sleep upstairs, however I was able to manage stairs (ones with a very strong rail) within 2 weeks. Fortunately our extra space upstairs, is just 2 extra bedrooms, a bathroom, and storage.

I used a walking stick.

I placed cushions under my feet to elevate my leg.

I made (sewing) a heavy long cotton band about 3" wide and 8' long (cotton was 12" wide before sewing, the folding and seams making it strong). To manoeuver my leg up by my foot sole (bed, chair, car).

My husband cooks very well, but I did make, freeze, or just store up food in advance (breads of all sorts, biscuits, soup, stew, pie).

Complete your physio several times daily after you arrive home.

Good luck.

My neighbour has had 3 new knees, don’t ask, and when I had my hip done she told me to go upstairs to bed from day 1 because that’s what she did.
Do look on the health forums for hips and knees there’s loads of help and information there. Look fir the dancing girls 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️
We specialise in recommending useful equipment and lots of hints to make life easier.

When I told the hospital that our loos were upstairs they said "good!" For pain relief following my knee replacement, I had about a weeks worth of oxycontin and paracetamol, I can't take nsaids. I honestly didn't find the stairs difficult.

Farmor15

My OH had both knees replaced at same time, a few years ago. Only aids he was given were crutches. We set up a bed for him downstairs but after 2 nights he decided he wanted to sleep upstairs again and was able to manage stairs.

Farmor15 On the same day? 😳

To lift your leg up on to a stool or the bed simply reverse your walking stick, hook the handle round your foot and lift up and on to the bed/stool.
That was the only useful thing a physio ever told me. Just walk up and down and use the stairs. That's all the exercise you'll need.

I had both knees done six months apart. about 10 years ago.
Never slept downstairs. If you can do 2 stairs you can do 12 or 13. Just takes a bit longer.

Depends on your stairs too, and if you have ramp. I could go up our stairs with ease, but wouldn't have managed those at our previous house.

My friend had hers done yesterday, came home this morning, sleeping upstairs tonight.

In the hosp I was terrified of using the little practice steps for fear of falling forward. Then I hit on the idea of going down backwards . Somehow much much easier.

As everyone said, once your home. I did too but the Physio will show you how too with your crutches. Good luck with the op.