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Elderly parents

Post op, knee replacement recovery.

32 replies

Barney16 · 18/11/2025 18:41

Just looking for some advice about my elderly mum. About three weeks ago she had a full knee replacement, operation went well but I'm not sure whether the recovery is really going well. There's nothing medically wrong with the knee replacement but she is really immobile, other than walking to the toilet, which she does with a walking frame she isn't doing anything else. She will move from the sofa to the bed, bed brought downstairs but that's it. She isn't getting dressed either, just wearing a random collection of pjs, no physio as of yet. I'm at a loss really. I don't know whether it's usual or if something else is going on. Perhaps confidence? She is late eighties and perfectly rational, obviously in a lot of pain, maybe I'm just being unrealistic, so wondered if anyone had any experience to share.

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 30/11/2025 10:54

Greybeardy · 30/11/2025 10:28

only giving operations to people who will do the exercises afterwards.

the problem with this is that all the patients say they'll do the exercises afterwards because they know they have to say that to get the operation. You can often spot who's likely to actually do them, but you can't just tell patients 'we think you're lying so you're not having an operation'.

can't edit....
some people also just don't really understand/believe how big an operation it is and when it comes to the post-op rehab they just don't have the energy. It's not wildly unusual to see patients in pre-assessment clinic and tell them they have something like an high chance of being less mobile even if it all goes well and a high chance of needing to go into a rehab/residential placement post-op and I think they think we're just making it up to try and put them off! Most people don't change their mind once the seed's been sown that an operation is possible.

NattyKnitter116 · 30/11/2025 23:03

Changename12 · 30/11/2025 00:13

Hopefully they will make him have some rehab now.
I agree with you about only giving operations to people who will do the exercises afterwards. I have an arthritic knee that I know will need to be replaced in the future but at the moment exercises are keeping the pain at bay.

No such luck with the rehab, apparently they are discharging him tomorrow morning back to his home. I would like to think he may learn from the experience but history argues the opposite. Oh well.

ManyATrueWord · 30/11/2025 23:09

If she doesn't do the rehab she will wish she hadn't had it done. Please push. I had to yell at my father.

PashaMinaMio · 30/11/2025 23:12

I’ve had both my knees fully replaced. I’m not young.

The exercises straight afterwards are excruciating but they must be done.It’s never too late to start but I fear she’s left it a bit late to ever get full mobility and bend in the knee now.

The ligaments and tendons and soft tissue will have begun to scar so it’ll be hell on earth to overcome that which is why the prescribed exercises are so helpful to regain pain free mobility but need doing post operative from day 1.
She’s wasted NHS money!
Mind over matter. She must get out of bed and walk about.

VWT7 · 30/11/2025 23:24

Echoing that it is major surgery.
(I was expecting a joint to be just bolted in - and then off I would go)
The recovery is indeed the hard part.
Likely she will also be dealing with loss of confidence and maybe fear?
Also likely not sleeping at all well, in pain and unable to be comfortable in bed.
But yes, getting the knee to move backwards in a seated position (among other exercises) was absolutely essential.
I still saw improvements even at the 2 year point after surgery.

NattyKnitter116 · 02/12/2025 11:36

Interesting to read all the comments about exercise. My DF is now 11 days post of and has fallen at home ending up bsck in hosp. He came home yesterday. Bizarrely DSis is taking about taking him out to a Xmas lunch on sat. Seems very soon to me but no point in saying anything.

Blackhungrybirds · 14/12/2025 15:29

When I had elderly relatives refusing to do exercise

The carers recommend that the relative did anything to move on a daily basis
Move feet, legs, arms while sitting
Do light house work chores dusting, hoovering

The alternative is worsening health

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