My husband had knee replacement surgery on 6/21. He came home yesterday (even though I felt he should have stayed another night). He’s been on the sofa since. He has no upper body strength and cannot stand. He’s too big for me to lift. Our insurance declined in-home therapy and the hospital never got back to us on outpatient therapy. I’m so frustrated that he won’t try. I know it hurts. He was so much in agreement and willing with the PT at the hospital but since he got home he thinks laying around will eventually help him get up and walk. Help!
Please don't injure yourself attempting to help him stand!
Bloodflow promotes healing. Blood clots are a real threat.
What reasons does he give to not move?
My ideas start with;
* Pain? Take the meds prescribed (many don't).
* Stiffness? Gentle bending.
* Swollen? Ice.
* Tired? Take a nap.
It's awful to be 'The Nag' 😣
What solutions can HE come up with to overcome HIS obstacles HIMSELF? (It is HIS new knee afterall)
I don't know your Husband's age, other medical issues or pain tolerance of course. But my next ideas would be;
Today - Him: Walk to & sit at the table for all meals. Physio exercises as prescribed then ice & rest. On repeat.
Today - yourself: Call the hospital. Explain. He will not be the 1st patient to only have motivation for a 'professional'. If instay rehab is not an option, ask to get home visits PT set up. (See if your health insurance covers this or pay if possible). Then he can move to outpatient rehab sessions when he is a little more recovered.
Good luck!
the hospital lied to us. My insurance does cover inhome PT. They recommended not to take hospital staff at their word. It’s been a whirlwind of a day.
He wouldn't. He would say he would and then wouldn't. I had to relearn that lesson I tried always to reinforce for others. We just are powerless to make people do anything. I agree with appealing the decision on home PT.
Glad to see he's getting into outpatient PT. I agree with other poster about hiring someone to do his exercises with him at home on the non-PT days. That is the ONLY way my mom will do her exercises. She does not listen to me but makes excuses and whines. Too difficult and annoying for me to handle. They ALWAYS behave better for someone else. He may not like it but too bad. Tell him when he's better and consistently doing exercise on his own without you begging him, etc. then maybe the extra aids can be dismissed.
It is crucial that he get his range of motion back or he will have ongoing issues.
If you are waiting on him and catering to him, allowing him to sit, you are going to have to take a deep breath and set some boundaries and stick to them. Like meals are served at the kitchen table. He needs to get himself there to eat them.
As long as he is cognitively capable, ask him to take responsibility for his own recovery. He's an adult and should care about getting better. Tell him YOU need him to be independent and do what he should be doing to get the most out of his operation. That you are not going to do more for him because he is choosing to do less than he should be. Time for some tough love. It may not be easy but it's necessary at this point.
This Aerobic Video Wins Everything (480p Extended)
"Build off something they like to do." In clinical terms, this is called high-p or behavioral momentum. You nailed it, and it works.