My husband had quad tendon surgery on Thursday ...

Hi, and thank you for asking your question on JA! Can you tell me:

Is he able/willing to complete post-operative instructions like coughing/depp breatjing exercise, assisted ambulation, self care?

When he lies down, what position is he most/least comfortable in?

Is he generally an active/athletic person?

Has he been able to eat, drink and had regular bowel movements?

This would help me provide a detailed answer.

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Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

He mostly sleeps on his back on our soft sofa, but is more comfortable in bed on his back. He really can't sleep any other way because of the broken elbow. But, since he just had surgery on Thursday, he's taking his time using steps.
He's eating, drinking, but no bowel movement since the surgery. When he coughs, it hurts his stomach (soreness like after doing sit-ups).
He use to be active when he was younger, but of course as we get older we do less exercising.
He feels much better when he is walking around...less soreness. He uses only one crutch since he can't bend his right elbow. Getting in and out of chairs/sofa, he pushes all his weight onto his left side and pulls with his stomach muscles.
I hope I answered all of your questions.
Thank You again for your help.

Sorry for the delay, I was away from my desk. The effects of Anesthesia and manipulation/positioning during surgery, can cause muscle fatigue and aching. When the lower extremities are compromised, activity, ambulation, and limitations in sleep positions place strain on the muscles of the upper body, back and torso.

The medications used for pain before during and after surgery, (for example Morphine and Oxycodone) are known to cause constipation as well. This may be a contributing factor in his discomfort. His should increase his fluids get as much activity as tolerated. If he has not had a BM tomorrow he can use an OTC laxative or suppository. Avoid the stimulants, they may cause intense cramping and incovenient urgency/frequency for hours after use. Plain stool softeners (Colace) or Hyperosmotics (Milk of magnesia), may be used as directed. Continued increased fluids, eat regularly and limit gas producing foods. Hopefully this will resolve with these simple interventions. A high fiber diet, Fiber supplement, fluids and activity should prevent further constipation from narcotics during rehabilitation.

Moist heat, massage, stretching exercises of upper body, and careful attention to body mechanics may relieve muscle strain to some degree. The coughing and deep breathing exercises, and incentive spirometer he was (hopefully) taught to use post op may be uncomfortable; but are the most important intervention at this stage. If the discomfort limits activity, and causes shallow breathing patterns, and cough suppression, his risks for resp complications increases dramatically. For instructions on the incentive spirometer go to:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/0200/0239.asp?index=4302&src=news

The soreness may linger through rehabilitation and crutch use, but should improve. His physician may choose to change his analgesic to one with Ibuprofen included, or add an anti-inflammatory, and he should discuss issue with his Physical Therapist during assessment.

You received post op instructions with the more serious complications to watch for post-op. Review these and continue to monitor symptoms, especially poor color, fast, shallow or labored breathing, fever, cough, and changes in pain. The Pneumonia or Atelectasis may cause torso aches and tightness, or aching in shoulders and arms. For any of these or symptoms listed in discharge instruction, he should return to the hospital. Otherwise call his Doctor on Monday if symptoms continue.

Good luck to you both; I hope he is soon on the road to recovery.



__________________
I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy

Christy,
Thank you so much for all the helpful information! I was also thinking the same thing as far as positioning during surgery, but of course the doctor didn't think that would cause muscle soreness. I disagree...everyone we've spoken to today, their first response was the same thing, too.
Hopefully, in a few days he'll see some improvement.
If I have any other questions, I'll contact you.

Thank You,
Chris

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on June 10 2006 at 10:32pm

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