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Knee Replacement Surgery Done. Getting Fast Heart Rate After Medication And Feeling Confused

Posted on Fri, 5 Apr 2013

Question: fellow 75 had knee replacement surgery friday. surgery went well and the knee was worst than the doctor thought . he was in some pain , but his wife said he looked like he need more pain medicine and they gave him more. I talked to him later on and he sound good on the phone. was in the hospital for 6 days.and took to place for rehab yesterday tuesday talked to him last nite he sounded fine to nite he was a little confussed. he is doing rehab. back to his medicine his heart rate went up. hope you can help him

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (23 minutes later)

Hi there, thanks for asking. People at this age are susceptible to delirium after surgery. Delirium is a situation that people will be confused. It could be mild, moderate or severe. Controlling the pain is very important. So if he is taking less than required of pain medicine, he will get confused. Another reason for confusion could be infection. So it is good to check his temperature to see if he has fever.
One of the things that is very necessary to be done is to check his medications. People who are taking too much medications, after surgery, are susceptible to confusion.
It is good to see his doctor or any doctor if the situation does not improve until tomorrow.
Ask him if he feels pain, since his subjective feeling is very important.
I wish him a good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Payman Hajiazim (12 minutes later)

said to nite his pain is not as bad.

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (6 minutes later)

Hi,

glad to hear it. observe how his sleep pattern is tonight, since it shows how much he has improved. Keep me updated. good night.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Payman Hajiazim (11 hours later)

he had infection 5 years ago for wearing a chater for 6 weeks. think he has the same thing needs to be treated. he had a chater as after knee sugery. it is out.

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (50 minutes later)

Hi there, it is true. That is one of the most common reasons for confusion during the next several weeks after the surgery. It should be treated with antibiotics. Thanks for keeping me posted.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Payman Hajiazim (50 minutes later)

the test of urine was not infection. It is the pain medicine he is on they took him off of it last nite. hope this will help. thank you for your information

Answered by Dr. Payman Hajiazim (1 hour later)

Hi,
I am glad to hear it. Any time.
Keep me posted especially if something changes.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar