HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

When Does Short Term Memory Return After A Knee Surgery?

Posted on Thu, 4 Dec 2014

Question: my father is 85 just had an elective knee surgery for patella repair. They placed him on oxy, tramadol, diliduad and they increased his clonidine and metropopol by double for 15 days . He very rarely complained but nurses just gave routine, I finally had it stopped and the clonidine adjusted to normal amounts, he is much better now, no confusion, anxiety and or anger, more like him self. He is very active works on wood projects, yard, rebuilding house prior to surgery and no dementia or any signs. He has been off for 3 days, kidneys are slightly impaired and no liver problems. How long til short term memory returns?

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Good support - 15 days to 1 month.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.

He has gone through a stressful period of surgical procedures, bed rest, hostile environment (Hospital), depersonalization and medications.
His mind could be clouded/disoriented due to all this stress.

Due to this acute illness, patients above 80 years could have a higher functional decline, which is being manifested through his off days. The baseline quality of life has become poorer.

Hope his blood pressure was normal during the surgery and after it too.

He will require:
1. Adequate social support network
2. Physical therapy
3. Active family support with involvement
4. Nutritional support.
5. Activities and re-orientation is necessary
6. He will require relaxation, and adequate sleep, rest.
7. Avoid immobility, if not advised. Caretaker support necessary.

For the query, you asked:
Once he gets adjusted back to his usual social life, his memory will return. He is dealing with a stress at this age. Cases have been noted, where within two weeks of hospitalization for procedures, patients have deteriorated with severe dementia and completely hospitalized and gone to nursing care completely.

With good support, he might recover partially or completely. Usually 15 days to 1 month active support is necessary. The more he recuperates, the sooner everything will be back to normal.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (14 minutes later)

Thank you for the reply. After, I got all meds stopped this Friday he has improved dramatically. he still has some memory issues like yesterday we took him for a ride from facility and then today he couldn't remember the complete way to front door, He didn't remember specifically whether he worked on hand or legs at therapy when asked by brother, but when I asked twice I was tol we did a ton and did some with both hands and legs. He only had epidural not GA. He did not have transfusion and came out of surgery great. No oxygen, pneumonia just increase in heart rate while on oxy and urinary incontinence (he also was in a full leg brace that didn't help using urinal bottle) and this cleared before leaving hospital and off oxy but when transferred to nursing facility to regain the strength of upper body to pull himself up he was put back on all the meds and tramadol. He is not having any pain except a small sore on rear end from the sitting, but that is healing. I am inquiring as my brother is making long term plans based on his mental status three days off medications. He had no memory issues or impairment prior to surgery

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Long term plans - Cannot be done on present status

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.

He is recovering from a stressful period. Assuming his age, it would have been extreme. From your point of view, everything was normal. For him, it was a completely hostile environment.

GA, pneumonia, etc would have caused still worse stress and complications. He is at present disoriented and will take time to recover.

Long term plans - His memory issues should improve. Support, as i told previously will determine how much he will get back to his previous self. You cannot make a plan so fast as he is still recovering both physically and mentally. Will take 15 days to month and a proper assessment by neurologist/ psychiatrist to determine, how much he has recovered.

If he were my patient, I would advise you not to plan anything now. Looking after him now is more important than ever for him to recover.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (18 minutes later)

thank you and I know this was stressful for him and thoughts was just that lets wait and see how he does after the meds completely wear out of system (I know from his kidney doctor and research that age does slow the process) and recovery of the stress getting back to normal routine and then make decisions later but I think too soon. This helps me so I can explain to my brother that changing his home and living status 4 days after being off meds is jumping the gun. My brother does not live here with my father I see him probably minimum 5 days a week and speak to him, plus he lives with my mom and I live 30 minutes away. I appreciate your comments as it helps having feed back from a professional. THANKS SO MUCH

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.

Ya, i completely agree with you about changing his home or living status. It would complicate things and recovery will be hampered.

Support is very much essential from all of you.

Welcome.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Take care.
Dr. Prakash HM

Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju