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tkr plus 4 days

Posted , 6 users are following.

caroline21222
caroline21222

My husband  aged 73 had a tkr 4 days ago.  He is still in hospital because his sodium and oxygen levels were low.  He has no strength at all.  His surgery has been a success and he is able to walk a bit with a frame and can sit in a chair and bend his knee to near 90degrees but this effort totally wears him  out.  His problem is depression caused by being stuck in hospital and not wanting to eat.  Consequently he has no strength and he is desperate to come home.  Advice please

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • jenny80029
    jenny80029 caroline21222

    Posted

    Exhaustion will need to be accepted, simply that.

    Even at 3 weeks post op I started doing a short ten minute walk once a day, and was exhausted after that! I was using two crutches all the time. At six weeks for every hour I was active, i.e. doing exercises or self care, I needed at least two hours of rest. I made a journey to London which involved ten minutes walk 45 mins sitting on train, ten minutes walk, one hour sitting, ten mins walk, 45 minutes sitting on train...when it got to the final ten minutes I stood at the top of the road I needed to walk down and prayed, because I seriously did not think I could make it home!

    Major operation!

    • caroline21222
      caroline21222 jenny80029

      Posted

      Thanks for your comments.  My husband is impatient to get home as he only expected to be in hospital for 2 days.  I try to persuade him to eat as this will help him get his strength back and then he can escape!!!
    • vickylynnp
      vickylynnp caroline21222

      Posted

      Tell him to hang in there. We’re were all exhausted for the first couple weeks or so. He just has to be patient and take advantage of the opportunity to have good care for a few days. I barely ate anything for the first few weeks! He’ll be fine!!
  • cherry75260
    cherry75260 caroline21222

    Posted

    Hello Caroline,

    I'm 71 and had a LTKR 14 weeks ago and it has been quite a journey!  Had I not found this forum I'm not sure if I would be where I am now.  All of the things you mentioned are part of the healing process, the depression, loss of appetite, no energy, and the list continues. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and even though the light may appear dim at the beginning, it gets brighter.

    Recovery is slow for some, as it has been for me, but I am now walking without my cane, feeling less depression ( as I will not let it control me), unfortunately my appetite has returned ( wanted to lose another 10 pounds), and my knee gets stronger everyday.  It's not easy, but your husband will improve, especially once he returns home.  The first couple weeks will be tough, but luckily he has you to help and encourage him!   Once he starts physical therapy, the real work begins, but that is when he will begin to accomplish things he once took for granted...reeducation of the knee!  Some on this forum progress faster than others, but this is not a race, everyone heals when they heal.  Sometimes I have to reread some of the advice on this forum to remind myself that I am not alone during this very tough recovery.

    Please encourage your husband to stay in touch with this forum.  Chico Marx, Old Fat Guy, being several of the veterans here, have perhaps the best advice I've ever read, your husband might even get a few chuckles out of their readings.

    Keep us updated as we all care.

    Blessings,

    Cherry🍒

    • caroline21222
      caroline21222 cherry75260

      Posted

      Thank you and to everyone who has helped me.  My husband is now home and although he still feels weak and tired, he is much happier and feels more positive.  His appetite is poor because he says all food doesnt taste nice but this is the result of anaesthetic i think.  He is eating small amounts but as he needs to lose a bit of weight, small amounts will help!  He will get there but has to realise it is a marathon and not a sprint.  

  • Lywn
    Lywn caroline21222

    Posted

    Caroline,

    TKR is major, major surgery.  Fatigue and loss of appetite are normal.  If he can bend his knee like that he is doing well. I am 7 weeks post op and am still dealing with becoming tired vey easily and little appetite.  I'm not usually a depressed person who cries much but I've done a lot of this with TKR.  If he isn't well enough to come home he shouldn't do so.  I wish I could have spent a couple of weeks in a rehab place.  I wish you and your husband the best.  Everyone heals at their own pace.  

    • caroline21222
      caroline21222 Lywn

      Posted

      Thanks for your support lywn.  He is now home and eating a little although he says food doesnt taste nice.  I think this is a result of the anaesthesia.  He can walk round the house a little with a frame and go upstairs and downstairs with a crutch but everything makes him exhausted.  I ve told him that this will all get easier with every day that passes.  He feels a lot happier being at home so i hope we are on the way up.  Fingers crossed!

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