I'm live in a 2-story house with the kitchen and bath on the first floor (upstairs one is being remodeled). My bedroom, TV room and my office are on the second floor. I'm required to wear a straight leg brace for 4 weeks and cannot bear weight for 1 week. There are 16 steps. Yes, I have challenges.
- Ice Packs - If you don't have freezer gel packs or didn't get a cooling machine, you can make your own ice pack. Take a gallon size Ziploc bag (I like to use 2; one inside the other to prevent leaks) and add 1/2 rubbing alcohol and 1/2 water. Don't fill it too much because you want it to be pliable. Stick it in the freezer. The alcohol will prevent the water from freezing and you will have a nice slushy pack. Add water/alcohol to get the right consistency. I've heard a bad of frozen peas works well, but I've never tried that.
- Ask your surgeon/assistant for handicapped paperwork
- If you have wood floors, remove all slippery area rugs and make sure you wear the sock you got for your other foot during surgery or something with a non-slip bottom.
- STAIRS - Butt slide down and backward butt slide up. You put yourself at great risk of falling if you try to crutch the stairs.
- Having an extra set of crutches is a plus that way when you get to the end of the stairs there are crutches and you didn't have to drag them with you! Maybe borrow a pair.
- Put a milk crate or other low object at the top of the stairs. It's a b*tch standing after doing the backward butt slide up. A milk crate is a good height for getting your butt up on to. Watch for slippery floors though!
- When you take your brace off for the first time, pay attention to it's placement. If it's like mine with a foam wrap that the metal framing Velcros to, do yourself a favor and do not remove the frame from the foam! Also when you take it off it's best to stick each strap to itself rather than let them dangle and get all stuck to each other which is very frustrating. If you have the option of getting a brace with the quick release for flexion and extension... DO IT as this is well worth a couple extra bucks especially if you'll be living in it for 4 weeks like me.
- Have a cooler within arms reach for the first 2 days with water and other beverages (I'd recommend staying away from the beer for a few days until you're clean of anesthesia, Oxycontin and Vicoden!) Not the I would have ever had a beer the night after surgery or anything! ;-o
- Have some sort of tote bag/backpack nearby for moving things since you basically have not hands since they are on the crutches if you eat on the second floor you might want to find a handled bag big enough to hold a plate or bowl in. Seal or Saran wrap securely and drag up the stairs with you (another good reason to have more than 1 set of crutches). Eventually you're going to have to go buy
beerbread. - I know this is gross, but have piss bucket nearby in case you really have to go and there's no way you can get that brace on and make it down the stairs in time. Sometimes the drugs and anesthesia will make you ill too so it's a good idea to have a bucket nearby anyway. The day of the surgery you will probably have to go a lot since you're tongue will feel it has paste on it. Gals, don't forget the TP and rags for any misses. Fortunately I've made it down every time, so this is just a security blanket for me.
- Put your weight on your palms not your armpits when using the crutches otherwise your armpits will be screaming after a few days. You did read the recommendation for having a milk crate at the top of the stairs didn't you? Oh that one is a life saver!
- Keep some hard candy nearby for your pasty tongue because if you only drink tons of water you'll have to go to the bathroom tons of times.
- To remove the yellow iodine gluey stuff after taking off the ace and gauze saturate a towel with alcohol and wipe.
- Don't be ashamed to ride the electric carts; they can hold your crutches for you at the entrance
- A clean Ace to rewrap and maybe a band aid after you remove the original ace and gauze.
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