Wife of husband who has had a knee replacement

Ally07

Hi I’m Ally07, I hope people don’t mind me posting this, my husband had his total knee replacement just 6 weeks ago, it’s been very difficult at times, he goes to physio once a week ( he’s had 4 sessions so far) they have told him his knee needs to bend to 130 degrees otherwise he will need another operation where the surgeon will manipulate the knee to move more, we are both worried about this! He is doing his exercises at home regular, trying to strengthen the muscles like he has been told to, at the moment when is knee is bent he can get it to 70 degrees,  any advice would be gratefully appreciated. 

I know he has found the last 6 weeks hard both mentally and physically and do have I, I have felt like I have had no support, ( helping/watching someone you love struggle in this way) I can’t be the only one that has felt like this when there partner is going though or has gone though this. Thank you for taking the time to read this Ally 

chiarieds

Hi @Ally07 - & welcome to the community. As a long retired physio may I say it's really good he's continuing to do his physio exercises. It does take time, but if he can do these exercises a little & often each day, then he will gain the benefit. The goalpost of 130degrees is because it's difficult to negotiate stairs/steps without this. 

6 weeks is in many ways early days, but he's doing all the right things it seems; just remember 'a little & often' as far as exercise goes. There's some good guidance here: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/media/1lwoxmdd/advice-and-exercises-after-total-knee-replacement-tkr_sep21.pdf

It's not easy recovering from any op as I know after fracturing my femur/hip, as my whole leg was swollen for several weeks, but I got there. Already knowing what would help, & the exercises to do got me there, as it will with your husband. Yes, I'm sure when your partner is suffering, so are you, but your help & encouragement will go a long way to help, & sometimes just listening too.

I hope you won't feel so isolated since you've joined this forum, as everyone is both supportive & friendly here.

Albus_Scope

Hey @Ally07 and welcome to the community!
It sounds like you've been having quite a tough time mentally, but I can see you've got the best person to speak to on here already! 

 If you just need to have a chat and relax a bit, we're all here for you.  The Coffee Lounge is great if you just want to take you mind off things for a bit.

Ally07

Thank you for your reply chairieds, we are just worried because one minute it is do what you can when you can then it’s you need to be at this stage because the surgeon wants you there if you will have to have another operation 
Which obviously he doesn’t want neither of us do, I think he is doing so well for 6 weeks we go to the surgeon in 2 weeks time 
Glad your leg has healed and you are doing well, thanks again for your support, I have felt like I was on my own not wanting to talk to my husband about my feelings because he is going though enough! X

chiarieds

Hi again @Ally07 - thank you for your kind reply. Your husband can only do as much as he can do, & you can only support him, as you know. You must of course be guided by his physio, & surgeon. Just take each day as it comes; there's no point worrying about the future.

I'm doing well thank you, & I don't think anyone would now know I'd had a fractured neck of femur. I do know what it's like watching a loved one suffer as I have a genetic disorder which causes hypermobility of your joints. This I passed on to my children, & then to my grandchildren. My youngest grandchild ended up in hospital today because of this. They're home now with a leg brace & elbow crutches, but I'm sure they will be fine.

Please know that you're always welcome to chat here, as so many of us will understand. My apologies for not answering earlier, but, as you can see, it's been one of those days. It's always easier talking to others, so please stay in touch.

Ally07

aw bless you, I’m glad your grandchild is home hopefully they will make a speedy recovery 🥰 
Please don’t worry about not replying earlier, to have someone reply is supportive. It’s awful trying to get on with life as normal but not really be able too, it was just a shook when my husband was told he may need another operation ( not sure if we can though with another one) we thought he was doing so well, x