How should I prepare for the operation?

Elective intervention – time to plan

As a rule, knee prosthesis operations are elective interventions, which means the timing of the operation can be defined in advance. This allows thorough and timely preparations to be made. The success of an operation and the subsequent healing process depend to a great extent on your motivation and cooperation!

Question: What can I do prior to a knee prosthesis operation?: Try to reduce any excess weight.
- As far as possible avoid alcohol and cigarettes or at least reduce the amount you drink and smoke.
- Start physiotherapy exercises prior to the knee prosthesis operation and practise walking with aids. This will allow you to get up and about more quickly after the operation.
- Please bear in mind that the hospital stay after knee prosthesis surgery lasts about two to three weeks and will possibly be followed by a stay at a rehabilitation clinic. Therefore decide beforehand who is going to look after pets and plants and empty the letterbox during your several weeks of absence.

Preparations at home

Before going into hospital, you can prepare your home so that you are able to easily cope with everyday life on your return. Remember that you will initially not be very steady on your feet and will require a walking aid.

Question: How can I prepare my home?: - Remove any items which you could trip over such as loose carpets and cables.
- Ensure that your home is well lit.
- Check that your bed is high enough so that you can get up easily after the knee operation. It may be enough to put a second mattress on the bed.
- Cook and freeze small meals in advance. Over the first few days following your return from hospital, you will be grateful that you don't have to go shopping and cook.
- Adapt your bathroom to the new situation. Medical suppliers sell a variety of aids such as raised toilet seats, handles, anti-slip shower mats and bath and shower seats which make daily personal hygiene easier.
- Store all the things which you need on a daily basis, e.g. crockery, reading glasses, clothes etc., at a convenient height. Have tongs at the ready to reach items which are high up in the cupboards.
- Organise aids such as sock pullers and dressing sticks. Your doctor will be able to offer detailed advice.
- See if anybody could help you with the cleaning and shopping.

What you need for your stay in hospital

First and foremost, you will need comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes in hospital. Valuable items such as jewellery and credit cards are better left at home; bring only a limited amount of cash with you.

Question: What should I take to the hospital?: - Bath robe
- Comfortable trousers with a wide leg
- Sturdy shoes with an anti-slip sole, ideally with a velcro fastener
- A long shoe horn
- Any walking aids you may have
- A list of medication or all your current medication
- List of operations and previous illnesses
- All X-ray images and MRI scans of the knee joint which you have in your possession
- Name and telephone number of your family doctor and any other attending doctors