Getting in out out of the bath tub

Wait until you are confident it is safe. You don't want to slip and possibly damage your knee, or anything else. Recovery is all about patience, and not over doing things. It really isn't  worth taking risks where your knee is concerned. Unless you want to get stuck in the tub and have to be rescued by burly firemen. .

Hi

I love bathing and was finally able to take a both. My physio showed me at therapy from a mat. After bathing I put down two folded wash cloths on top of one another. I leaned my left knee on them and sort of pushed up on operated knee without leaning on it. That did it I was up and able to get out of tub. I am very overweight so don’t think it was real easy but I did it. Just want to mention Doc is against bubble baths, it can cause infection for us ladies and that’s one thing we don’t want with our new knee. I would practice on a mat first. Good luck to you for a speedy recovery. I am going for a second one in March. I am 5 months out from first🛀🏻🛁🛀🏻

Oh yes a lovely bath, well worth it!

I went in about three weeks post op, but kept my knee out the water until incision sealed, as the directive I was given was not to have a bath until six weeks post op, when the incision is sealed completely.

I absolutely love having a bath and so I made it one of my bending the knee targets to be able to get in and out of the bath. I practiced without water in the bath and with husband there to help. I used a small step ladder which had a holding bar across the top to give me extra support when getting in and out. I do have very good upper body strength which helps. Initially I had got into the bath just to sit on a little stool and use the hand shower as we don't have a proper shower. So I had had a bit of practice with some of the movements involved.

Here is what I wrote in my journal/ very patient knee replacement story:

"I had a bath today! Yes, with good upper body strength I was able to lower myself down into the bath with the trusty step ladder handles to hold onto. I could hold onto the handle at the top of it while I stepped my un operated leg into the bath. Making sure the sides of the bath were very dry, in order to get a good grip, I was in with no trouble at all. This is a welcome benefit of having a 90 degree bend in the knee! I kept my operated leg out of the water. This was good position to be in, with the operated leg elevated and resting on the side of the bath. And the bath was heaven! I am using Epsom Salts in the bath water. I put a couple of handfuls in. I understand that the magnesium is thought to be beneficial. Epsom Salts (MgSO4·7H2O) is magnesium sulfate which is an inorganic salt (chemical compound) containing magnesium, sulfur and oxygen. I am not allowing my incision to get wet at all, and even though I am permitted to shower, I would rather take a bath and keep it completely dry for now. "

Being able to use the bath was a great help to working on my bend because I used to put my foot at the end of the bath and push my body backwards and forwards in the bath at the same time, gently and painlessly working to increase the bend. The fact that I was in a lovely warm moist heat environment helped me and my soft tissues to relax! Anything which made exercising more enjoyable was a must for me! So it's well worth the effort imo!

You may like to go to my profile by clicking on the image next to my name. I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey, and I have been told by several people they found it helpful to read, or skim through. It has a lot of useful suggestions and information.

Good wishes to you, and enjoy your bath!

Ooh la la! I remember thinking that at about 3 weeks post op last year. How difficult can it be I thought?? I found out very quickly when I tried to get out of the bath! Getting in is easy peasy! Getting out is way more problematic! Without going into too much detail, I had to sit in an empty (yes I know!) bath until I managed to attract my husband’s attention, who was outside in the garden! Not my finest hour. Not the happiest of situations! Still I survived & learned a lesson....don’t try out situations that are beyond your stupidity unless someone is there to help you out. 

I laugh about it now but at the time I was cold & upset!

Now the moral of my recollection is if you think you are able to lever yourself, wet & slippery, out of the bath, by all means do so but first make sure someone is nearby to help you get out once you’ve finished bathing should you need it. Extricating yourself is very difficult esp when your legs are not exactly strong & pain is still an option.

I know how lovely that bath full of hot soapy water is, how inviting, but don’t be a muppet like me & just climb in willy nilly then wonder how you’re gonna get out again.

Good luck on your soapy adventure.

Marilyn

XX

I'm not really a bath person I prefer a shower but I did have one post op when my wound was fully healed. I just got in as normal soaked for a bit tried moving my knee a bit more while I was in there. I just used my upper body strength to push myself up. Bend my good leg back so it was under me and then just pushed up on the good leg until I could get high enough up to get the operated one under. Then just climb out. My upper body is strong though so if it isn't I wouldn't be able to get out. 

Sue x

maybe u could put a folded bath towel down the length of the bath to give u a better grip.