Just wondering if anyone on the board has dealt with this before. My 86 year old father had to have this surgery due to a infection started by a podiatrist cutting his foot while shaving a callus. He's suppose to get a prosthetic soon but he is so weak I don't know if he'll be able to use it.
Below the Knee Amputation
- Thread starter BigSexyCat
- Start date
Hate to hear that. I'd imagine the learning curve is pretty tough at that age. Get him a scooter or electric wheelchair. Is he on his own?
Jesus what a horrible story. Poor guy. Had an uncle lose his leg from the knee down in a work accident. Been about 12 years now. He has a lot of trouble with his stump getting sore and rubbed raw. He also has to take blood thinners for life. He’s 68 now and does most anything he wants. Mentally it took years to cope with it.
My father went through the same thing but he was around 70 when it was done. Same kind of scenario, infection that led to amputation. Dad got around decently enough with the prosthetic and a walker, it was a lot more unstable without the walker. Another big concern were falls. Not only the prosthetic but just that age in general he was apt to fall at any time. I lost count how many times I had to pick him up. Unfortunately its hard for them to catch themselves at that age so he ended up breaking the femur on his "bad" leg and both hips in separate falls.
I would suggest a wheelchair or scooter just for the falling risk.
I would suggest a wheelchair or scooter just for the falling risk.
He was living with my 84 year old mother who has her own physical problems so she will not be able help any. He's been in rehab for a few weeks now at nursing facilities with all kinds of setbacks like UTI's, C Diff, Stage 3 Bedsore, and a arm injury. Nursing homes are a nightmare btw.
I'm an RN, so feel free to reach out with any questions. How mobile was he before the BTK? Learning to walk with a prosthesis at his age will be difficult, but I've seen 80+ year olds relearn to walk better than some 50 year olds. A concern will be proper fitment and application as skin breakdown at the prosthesis will be concern.
My goal for him honeslty is just to be able to walk a few feet from his scooter to a toliet and back again but even that is in questionable.
He was using a walker at home and walking canes in public. He wasn't very active before this injury but he was still able to drive, go up and down steps and take good general care of himself. My fear is having to leave him in a nursing home. That will break his spirt.
I've had nothing but bad experiences with nursing homes. Have you looked into home health?
What is his weight? Diabetic?
Is he a veteran? The improvements with BTK prosthetics over the past ten years has been great. If he is overweight and a diabetic, he would be well-served to be placed on a strict diet.
Is he a veteran? The improvements with BTK prosthetics over the past ten years has been great. If he is overweight and a diabetic, he would be well-served to be placed on a strict diet.
I've looked into Home Health and they do offer some limited help but nothing to the extent he needs as of right now. Honestly, at this point he needs a CNA 24/7. He is a vet but from what I hear about prosthetics they grade them from K-0 to K-4. Your level of mobility determines how good of a prosthetic you get.
I would look into a caregiver program. I know there are some around my area, Visiting Angels is one I know off the top of my head.
If it wasn't for the bathroom issues I would move him home with me and do the caregiving thing while I work but as of right now he's on a bed pan.
My uncle is a few years shy of eighty, and this past year had his right foot, then up to his knee amputated. It's a tuff row to hoe. I moved home to take care of my Mom. She has spells of being lucid, then hallucinating. You suck it up, and do what you have to, and remember no matter what they say or do, inside they still love you.
This. My grandpa could be down right cruel at times. His kids knew he didn’t mean what he said at times but it still hurt.
This is something. I have generally disagreed with almost everything you have posted, but here we meet, and have common bond. The two sides that argue on here are closer than most of them like to imagine. Have a good one Ed. God bless.
For physical and occupational therapy Home health offers little help in this situation. Inpatient rehab is best, if you can find a good one. Out patient therapy is 2nd best and home health comes in last.
Sorry to read this OP. My Grandfather who has long since passed on, lost both legs to diabetes. He was probably mid-60:s when he lost his first and within a year his second.
He was a Firefighter and one time Fire Chief in Newport, KY. Turned towards golf after retiring to Florida.
He made the best of it and liked to joke about it, did alot of dips and still liked to swim...guy was strong as an ox. Can still see the long ash dangling off his Moore cigarette as he'd tell a story.
He was a Firefighter and one time Fire Chief in Newport, KY. Turned towards golf after retiring to Florida.
He made the best of it and liked to joke about it, did alot of dips and still liked to swim...guy was strong as an ox. Can still see the long ash dangling off his Moore cigarette as he'd tell a story.
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At the age of three, I was given no choice but a below knee amputation after a lawnmower accident…parents decided to keep leg.
After 50 years of pain, limping, back issues, arthritis, 6 major surgeries. The idea of running in track events with one of those spring-loaded blades sounds like a treat compared to my daily root canal.
After 50 years of pain, limping, back issues, arthritis, 6 major surgeries. The idea of running in track events with one of those spring-loaded blades sounds like a treat compared to my daily root canal.