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Grandads' shed

New Knees

(11 Posts)
Sylvia Wed 29-Feb-12 07:30:26

Today, my Husband goes into hospital for a new knee. Has any one any tips for me.? My husband is convinced that a pain in the chest is a major heart attack, a pain in the leg is DVT, mark on the skin is inoperable skin cancer. The pain in his knee after the op. will be the worst pain in the world. I feel like keeping him upstairs as the loo is there. But he will have to go for walks soon. Will I get him out of the armchair? Sylvia

glassortwo Wed 29-Feb-12 07:44:57

sylvia my FIL 78 has has had two new knees and lives alone and apart from I think it was around 4/5 days each time when he initially came home from hospital and mobility was a problem one or the other of us stayed with him. He has managed to maintain his independence with us just calling to see him and to do anything that was difficult for him. The first few days his pain was managed well and he was very focused in doing his exercises as he said he needed to be out and about. Hope you dont have too bad a time with your DH. thanks

Notsogrand Wed 29-Feb-12 07:47:07

That must be hard to live with Sylvia. My late OG was the opposite...ignored serious health issues and refused to even acknowledge others. That was hard to live with too.
If your loo is upstairs, it may be a good idea to keep him up there for a few days as negotiating the stairs will be really painful for a while with a new knee.
Best wishes to Mr Sylvia for his op!

Did you hear about the man who went to the doctors with a whole list of ailments? The doctor said "I think you've got hypochondria" and the man replied "Oh no! Not that too!" smile

Sylvia Wed 29-Feb-12 08:09:29

Thanks, I will no doubt have another 'moan' in a day or so after he is home. Nobody is as sick as my husband. If anything comes on tv, say, of some one injured, we get...they ought to have my arthritus then they will know what pain is! Can you imagine the arrogance of the man! He has got grumpier as he has got older, 79, nearly. Sylvia

tanith Wed 29-Feb-12 08:36:29

Sylvia I feel for you grin as for your husbands recovery , they'll likely have him up and walking within 24hrs , and if its the same for knee as hip then they will make him climb a short flight of stairs before discharge , his pain shouldn't be more than can be managed with pain relief. Being upstairs is probably better for you for a few days but the exercises he will be given are the most important thing, the more often he does them the quicker his recovery. It does hurt to do them at first but persevere with him if he moans. He should manage short walks outside/garden in a week or so. But of course everyone is different but I know its all too easy to let someone wait on you so some TLC for a while but you'll know when its time to insist he starts to do for himself.. people that live alone have to manage after all.

yogagran Wed 29-Feb-12 10:22:44

Oh dear Sylvia - you're going to be up and down those stairs so many times in the next few days. Take care of yourself.

Stansgran Wed 29-Feb-12 10:59:16

Keep him upstairs give lots of TLC but cultivate deafness if he starts calling downstairs for attention-that will soon get him on the move

numberplease Sat 03-Mar-12 23:31:39

I know she`s a lot younger, late 40s, but my daughter has had both knees replaced, due to rheumatoid arthritis, with no problems at all. She`s also had both hips and an elbow replaced over the years. She still doesn`t get around too well, but isn`t in anywhere near as much pain as before. All the best to your husband............and YOU!!!

Sylvia Thu 15-Mar-12 22:20:11

Hi, 2 weeks into the 'Knees'. The stitches came out and the swelling has gone down a bit. We have to wait for physio, April 5th. He fell in the bathroom and banged his knee and that did not go down too well. He is trying to do the exercises, but says it is painful. The trouble is that someone elses pain is hard to quantify. BUT, he goes back to bed early and I have full control of the TV buttons!

glassortwo Thu 15-Mar-12 22:25:50

sylvia painful, but the exercises are really important. Hope you are bearing up with the strain of it all flowers

jeni Thu 15-Mar-12 22:29:53

Yes! They are painful!but, the more you exercise the better the end result is!
(don't recommend making a habit of falling on them though!)