u/Grouchy_Quantity_115

Hi
I’m
A 57 yr old woman who had the lateral medial meniscus repair with the 6 weeks no weight bearing and locked brace recovery plan . 🙄
Things I got that helped out immensely.

1. Self blowup mattress around 40 bucks from Walmart cuz my bedroom up a flight of stairs ( I put it in the living room )
2. The elbow crutches from Amazon .I felt like I wouldn’t balance well on the crutches.These helped me out a lot
3. A wheelchair from Amazon the $140 one - relatively inexpensive and small fits through my 100 year old house tiny doors and very easy to maneuver in extremely small space. My house is old and small .
4. A rubberized sleeve to put over my leg for showers - getting the stitches wet can cause infection.
5. A shower chair
   6 the shower head that you can detach and hold in your hand - easier to wash hair etc .
   Things I wish I had ordered.
   7 . I wish I had ordered that weight supporting from the thigh leg brace . I saw it too late. It’s pricey but they say insurance pays . Something to look for online and check out ahead of time.
6. I wish I had known you can rent a ramp to cover the steps to your house . Then I could have gotten out more
   Things I suggest doing ahead of time
   I suggest practicing in your house with your wheelchair ahead of time move furniture to make the best path - move food prep items like coffee keurig to lower shelves -put a basket with makeup and supplies near a low desk with a mirror that you can see from wheelchair level -get a stool that you can drag to sink and stove to hop up on for dishwashing and cooking -get easy simple pull on leggings bike shorts and like tshirts or yoga dresses leave in a basket within easy reach of where you get ready .
   Keep in touch with friends do not be unwilling to ask for help. They can pick you up like once a week to go to the movies or mall or park with your wheelchair . You will feel so much better after seeing friends even for just a few hours. It helps to get out and it also helps as soon as you can to get excercises from PT . Then you can do them everyday to feel more in control of your recovery . Also put your toothpaste and toothbrush in the shower It’s much easier than balancing on crutches and brushing .
   The first week is the worst everything feels cumbersome and knee is swollen .But at third week when you can unlock the brace things just start to feel better .
   Prep ahead of time if you can with leg lifts and other upper leg building excercises. I am no expert but my PT provider said I was a couple weeks ahead of expected progress when I first got to her and maybe that’s cuz I tried those pre surgery excercise idk 🤷‍♀️ but it can’t hurt .
   Anyway I just wanted to encourage you. 6 weeks is long and annoying but the more you set things up so that you can do the most that you can for yourself the better you will be able to handle the time .
   I have ten days left of nwb . I can’t believe it’s almost over . If I can do it you can do it👍you got this - better days will soon be here ☀️🌻