Aids and Toys - make life easier for yourself
Aids & Toys - make your life easier!
This is not professional medical advice. Consult with your healthcare provider before anything even slightly risky, especially if you're recovering from surgery, to ensure they fit your specific needs and won’t interfere with your treatment.
There are few things I got that made life a lot easier which I would recommend, especially if you’re going to have an extended time off your feet and/or on crutches.
This is a tough time, so make your life easier. It’s worth it.
Remember if you’re not sure, check with the hospital or your doctor to make sure it’s OK to use this stuff.
The iWALK Hands Free Crutch
This is a game changer. If you’re on crutches you’ll know what a nightmare they are. They do serve their purpose, and most of us will need to use the crutches, especially when we’re getting weight back on the foot. But this gives you your hands back. It’s especially great around the house. You can make your meals and do the housework and whatever you need your hands for.
If you’re confident enough you can very easily go shopping with it even. Just be careful that you’re gonna be confident on it and have good balance - you don’t wanna make things worse. I recommend checking online to try to find one second-hand to buy. In Ireland, you can rent them from The Mobility Shop or buy them new from iwalkfree.ie. Hopefully there is something near wherever you live.
This really is worth getting if you don’t want your crutches to drive you insane.
Keep in mind that at some point you will be weight-bearing, so it will be time to dispense with in order to progress probably - but it will still come in handy if you need to just give your leg a break when it gets too sore in the initial stages.
Other Mobility Aids?
Maybe the crutch isn’t for you? You might need a knee scooter or walker or something like that?
Go on the Mobility Shop website (or something similar for where you live and check out all the toys and stuff there - an iWALK might not suit you - maybe you could use a knee scooter or rollator. Check them all out here. You don’t have to buy them, you can rent them. I bought an iWALK cuz unfortunately I knew I’d need it for a while.
Leg Elevator for Bed and General
It was too late for me by the time I thought of searching for something like this. I used pillows and it worked out OK but was annoying at times.
But you might want it if you’re tired of trying to keep you leg on a bunch of pillows in bed. This is an example of one on Amazon.
Lots of people seem to recommend them.
Ice / Heat Pack
This is something I have used myself so I can personally recommend. In reality you never really know how much ice or heat is improving your pain and swelling, but most of the advice out there would say it should, and from my perspective I think it does.
I particularly used it when I was weight bearing and increasing my level of physiotherapy, when I found myself in a lot of pain and dealing with a lot of swelling. I would use it after exercise or physio and often in the evening before bed to ideally reduce swelling and improve pain.
This is the product I bought which I found comfortable an d easy to use but there are lots of products out there.
Compression Socks (custom made)
Some people absolutely swear by compression socks to reduce pain and swelling. For others not so much. But anything which might help is worth consideration.
If you are getting them, the advice is to get custom-fitted socks, which will of course be more expensive but it will ensure you get the right ones for you.
You probably need to talk to your surgeon, consultant or PT about it. Some people have got some great results talking to lymphoedema clinics who will talk you through it and get you the best fit and type.
Foot Cover for Shower
Sellotaping a black bag around your leg? Yeah great, but seriously, screw that. I’ve been there. If you’re at the point where you can shower, then use one of these to protect your cast, or wounds, or whatever you need to keep dry.
This is the one I used - at this point I just had dressings to cover so you may need something bigger if you have a cast - you will find what you need on Amazon. I much prefer trying to buy locally - but Amazon is a lifesaver in this situation. Quick and easy.
Whether you’re still in a cast, in a boot, dressing, etc, it’s likely you can find something to suit you. Yes, you can use a black bag and sellotape every time you want to shower, but cmon, things are hard enough. Spend 15 or 20 euro and make it easier on yourself.
Seat for Shower
This might be pretty necessary if you need to shower. You might have something around which you can use and you don’t mind getting wet, but if you don’t, check out something like this fella. Not too expensive.
Laptop Desk
If you’re lucky (is it lucky???) to be able to work from home, you might want to pick up a good-priced laptop desk like this.
This is great for plonking yourself on the couch (or on the bed) when you need to elevate your leg. For weeks I was struggling so badly that I would do the first couple of hours work from bed. Either way it’s a great thing to have around.
Pee Bottle
If you can’t weight bear, or are in a cast or on crutches then getting up to pee in the middle of the night is a bit of a nightmare.
It is a little easier for the men, but there are cheap products out there for all needs. Again, make like easy for yourself and avoid an awkward and possibly painful trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
If you’ve spent some time in hospital you might be used to it already.
Like this male product
Like this unisex product
Crutch Handle Grips
If you’re be spending a lot of time on crutches you might find the hands getting a bit fed up of the hard plastic handles.
These lads are only a tenner and sure you may as well. There’s lots of other stuff available too and you can always make you own with material/sponge/whatever-you’re-havin-yerself and tape.
