{
 "dataset": "VerifiedCareData \u2014 first-person knee-replacement recovery equipment corpus",
 "version": "v1",
 "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
 "generated": "2026-08-29",
 "methodology": "https://verifiedcaredata.com/about/",
 "sources": [
  {
   "name": "BoneSmart Joint Replacement Patient Forum",
   "url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/categories/knee-area.7/",
   "note": "knee-surgery pre-op and recovery areas; robots-permitted, use=reference"
  }
 ],
 "counting_rules": [
  "The unit of evidence is a person, not a post \u2014 repeat posters count once.",
  "Quoted text is removed before parsing so quoting someone does not create a second account.",
  "Only mention counts are machine-derived. Whether someone recommended or rejected an item is read by a person, because the phrase-matching approach was tested and misfires: it read 'something you didn't need for the hip recovery, but might want for this one' as a rejection. Hand-read verdicts live in reviewed_verdicts and cover only the items that appear on a page.",
  "Counts are a floor: a person who used a walker without ever writing the word is invisible here."
 ],
 "limitations": [
  "Self-selected population: people who post on a recovery forum are more engaged, and probably more prepared, than average.",
  "Forum members skew toward those having a harder time \u2014 that is often why they post.",
  "Excerpts are quoted under the source's use=reference signal, short and always linked back to the thread they came from."
 ],
 "totals": {
  "posts": 1768,
  "people": 265,
  "threads": 202,
  "date_range": "2011-11-12 to 2026-08-25",
  "items_tracked": 18
 },
 "items": {
  "ice packs or icing": {
   "label": "Ice packs or icing (any method)",
   "people_mentioning": 220,
   "posts": 1233,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 220,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "weeks 2-6": 154,
    "before surgery": 67,
    "week 1": 111
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "walker": {
   "label": "Walker or rollator",
   "people_mentioning": 112,
   "posts": 236,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 112,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "week 1": 33,
    "before surgery": 24,
    "weeks 2-6": 11
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "cold therapy machine": {
   "label": "Cold-therapy machine",
   "people_mentioning": 112,
   "posts": 268,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 112,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "week 1": 35,
    "weeks 2-6": 11,
    "before surgery": 25
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "cane": {
   "label": "Cane",
   "people_mentioning": 87,
   "posts": 158,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 87,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "week 1": 21,
    "before surgery": 15,
    "weeks 2-6": 5
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "crutches": {
   "label": "Crutches",
   "people_mentioning": 61,
   "posts": 150,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 61,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "week 1": 18,
    "weeks 2-6": 11,
    "before surgery": 13
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "recliner": {
   "label": "Recliner or lift chair",
   "people_mentioning": 53,
   "posts": 168,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 53,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "week 1": 13,
    "before surgery": 45,
    "weeks 2-6": 2
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "leg elevation pillow": {
   "label": "Leg elevation wedge or pillow",
   "people_mentioning": 46,
   "posts": 154,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 46,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "weeks 2-6": 3,
    "week 1": 12,
    "before surgery": 11
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "compression": {
   "label": "Compression socks or stockings",
   "people_mentioning": 24,
   "posts": 40,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 24,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "weeks 2-6": 3,
    "week 1": 6,
    "before surgery": 1
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "shower chair or bench": {
   "label": "Shower chair or tub bench",
   "people_mentioning": 20,
   "posts": 35,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 20,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "before surgery": 3,
    "weeks 2-6": 1,
    "week 1": 2
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "raised toilet seat": {
   "label": "Raised toilet seat or riser",
   "people_mentioning": 17,
   "posts": 21,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 17,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "before surgery": 6,
    "week 1": 2
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "grab bars": {
   "label": "Grab bars",
   "people_mentioning": 11,
   "posts": 15,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 11,
   "timing_cue_counts": {},
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "leg lifter": {
   "label": "Leg lifter",
   "people_mentioning": 8,
   "posts": 15,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 8,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "week 1": 1
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "commode": {
   "label": "Bedside commode",
   "people_mentioning": 7,
   "posts": 12,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 7,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "before surgery": 1,
    "week 1": 3
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "reacher or grabber": {
   "label": "Reacher / grabber",
   "people_mentioning": 7,
   "posts": 8,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 7,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "before surgery": 4,
    "week 1": 1
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "sock aid or dressing stick": {
   "label": "Sock aid or dressing stick",
   "people_mentioning": 5,
   "posts": 5,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 5,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "before surgery": 2,
    "week 1": 1
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "hospital bed": {
   "label": "Hospital bed",
   "people_mentioning": 3,
   "posts": 3,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 3,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "weeks 2-6": 1
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "walker tray or bag": {
   "label": "Walker tray, bag or basket",
   "people_mentioning": 2,
   "posts": 2,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 2,
   "timing_cue_counts": {},
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  },
  "toilet safety frame": {
   "label": "Toilet safety frame",
   "people_mentioning": 1,
   "posts": 1,
   "people_mentioning_excluding_forum_staff": 1,
   "timing_cue_counts": {
    "before surgery": 1
   },
   "stance": "not machine-classified \u2014 see reviewed_verdicts"
  }
 },
 "themes": {
  "physical therapy": {
   "people": 159,
   "pct": 60
  },
  "sleep": {
   "people": 120,
   "pct": 45
  },
  "swelling": {
   "people": 112,
   "pct": 42
  },
  "help at home": {
   "people": 61,
   "pct": 23
  },
  "stairs": {
   "people": 58,
   "pct": 22
  },
  "constipation": {
   "people": 16,
   "pct": 6
  }
 },
 "reviewed_excerpts": [
  {
   "author": "BBCG",
   "date": "2021-07-24",
   "quote": "And, I graduated to a cane around the house within a few days, but used the walker outside, then replaced the walker with crutches outside and still used the cane inside.",
   "thread_title": "Arthroscopic Surgery after TKR to Release Popliteus.",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/arthroscopic-surgery-after-tkr-to-release-popliteus.66338/"
  },
  {
   "author": "WFD",
   "date": "2024-10-28",
   "quote": "I switched to the cane when I didn\u2019t need to put any real weight on it, and used it as a safety device and to help my balance.",
   "thread_title": "Sudden cramp like pain walking down stairs",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/sudden-cramp-like-pain-walking-down-stairs.78892/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Elf1",
   "date": "2025-02-12",
   "quote": "Icing is very helpful with pain so pretty much doing that constantly.",
   "thread_title": "Knee Surgery Part 2",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/knee-surgery-part-2.78153/"
  },
  {
   "author": "JGK",
   "date": "2024-09-19",
   "quote": "I\u2019m icing it a lot and I get up and walk around the house every hour.",
   "thread_title": "Left TKR 9/16/2024 and Right TKR 12/2/2024",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/left-tkr-9-16-2024-and-right-tkr-12-2-2024.78657/"
  },
  {
   "author": "selketine",
   "date": "2024-01-10",
   "quote": "I had trouble sleeping and had to get up and take more pain meds and decided to camp out in the recliner where I got a few more hours of sleep.",
   "thread_title": "Thank Goodness I Only have Two Knees!",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/thank-goodness-i-only-have-two-knees.76234/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Rockgirl4",
   "date": "2024-10-23",
   "quote": "I use a big pillow (lengthwise) under my leg in bed, as elevating it hurts too much for those 3-4 hours of sleeping in bed.",
   "thread_title": "Just curious",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/just-curious.78880/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Jockette",
   "date": "2021-07-22",
   "quote": "I had problems elevating toes above the nose in the beginning because it hurt too much.",
   "thread_title": "Arthroscopic Surgery after TKR to Release Popliteus.",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/arthroscopic-surgery-after-tkr-to-release-popliteus.66338/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Kelpie",
   "date": "2015-11-13",
   "quote": "The swelling and bruising from thigh to ankle from day 5 to 7 was magnificent and diabolical (caused by the tourniquet as I understand it).",
   "thread_title": "Kelpie's First New Knee",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/kelpies-first-new-knee.33621/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Jacimarble",
   "date": "2025-10-12",
   "quote": "More stiffness, bruising, swelling than pain - elevate and ice!",
   "thread_title": "Jacimarble\u2019s Left TKR",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/jacimarble%E2%80%99s-left-tkr.81024/"
  },
  {
   "author": "RacecarBob",
   "date": "2025-02-19",
   "quote": "I can transition to the cane and leave the walker behind I hit 93 by myself, no pulling, and this was after doing exercises that had me sore on a day that already felt like a lot of inflammation/stiffness (bad weather).",
   "thread_title": "RacecarBob's LTKR Recovery Thread",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/racecarbobs-ltkr-recovery-thread.79988/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Layla",
   "date": "2023-11-09",
   "quote": "I was the opposite and made the lift recliner my bed for three weeks.",
   "thread_title": "Right TKR 72 hours ago",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/right-tkr-72-hours-ago.75468/"
  },
  {
   "author": "TurtleKnee",
   "date": "2024-12-25",
   "quote": "I am exhausted, cannot get enough rest or sleep which makes it difficult to do anything else I need to do like pay bills, cook, etc.",
   "thread_title": "Right TKR on 12-10-24 recovery in progress",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/right-tkr-on-12-10-24-recovery-in-progress.79439/"
  },
  {
   "author": "Rain Dancer",
   "date": "2021-07-23",
   "quote": "Had to stop taking Tramadol because of raging insomnia (6 hours sleep in 72 hours) and nausea.",
   "thread_title": "Arthroscopic Surgery after TKR to Release Popliteus.",
   "thread_url": "https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/arthroscopic-surgery-after-tkr-to-release-popliteus.66338/"
  }
 ]
}