Re: need advice please

That sounds about right, Sue. Some folks are up & about sooner, some later. Depends on the specific procedure and the person's pain tolerance and willingness to walk on it, even with some pain. The newer procedures don't cut through as much muscle & connective tissue. Folks seem to be up with less pain with those. Ice packs help a lot. When she's not up walking, she should lie or sit with the knee elevated and iced. She should only sit 20 - 30 minutes at a time for several days right after surgery. Lying down with that leg above heart level, with an ice pack, will decrease swelling (and pain). Walking improves circulation and decreases stiffness (and pain). If she's fairly active now, she should do well, Donna. If you have limited time you can be there 24/7, consider a short stay in a rehab center. She'll get therapy a couple times daily, you can visit and walk with her to keep her moving in addition to what the staff can do. If you choose to do this, lay out some clear expectations with the administration and make sure they buy into your goal for your mom (increasing independence and safety, for instance). When you visit, be a nuisance, ask to see her "chart" and review her progress with the nurse on shift. If they know you will be closely monitoring her care, it's more likely she will get great care. In general, nursing staff care and want to do well, but that's where cuts get made in the budget. When you can't get everything done that needs done, "easy" patients don't always get the attention they need to really do well.
Dang, there's that soapbox again.
Barring any unexpected problems, she should do well, Donna.
Judy B
----- Original Message ----- From: "SueNY" <sue.nyc@att.net>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] need advice please


My aunt had her knee replaced last year. She was in the hospital about a
week and then home...was walking on her own at about 6-8 weeks and is doing
great now.

Sue
----- Original Message ----- From: "Donna" <gossiper@sbcglobal.net>
To: "gardenchat list" <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:28 PM
Subject: [CHAT] need advice please


Anyone or a close loveone ever had a knee replaced?
Seems my mother has overdone her trips, stairs and
other activities and is looking at having this done.

Heading to the specialist next Thursday, but that
doesn't give me much time to inform my boss about my
up and coming vacation the following Monday...which I
may need to reschedule.

So... how long of a hospital stay (or is this an out
patient thing)- how long once home will she need
constant care?

Trying to decide if I should cancel all my vacation
plans so I can use that time to care for her....

TIA
Donna

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT



--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.6.1/344 - Release Date: 5/19/2006

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index