[IMA-HelenT]

Sorry that your friend is having these issues post surgery. Our webinar that is live on X at the moment on Red Light Therapy would be worth tuning into – or you can find it on the IMAhealth.org website tomorrow.

The redlight guide is up now https://imahealth.org/tools-and-guides/benefits-of-red-light-therapy/

I did a search on the IMA website that you can explore https://imahealth.org/search/?direqt_search_nonce=c8a7075bb0&_wp_http_referer=%2F&q=post+op+Fatigue

[IMA-HelenT]

I also asked AI for information and here is what it returned:

Post-Knee Surgery Brain Fog & Fatigue in Older Adults: What’s Going On?

Knee surgery (especially joint replacement) in a 70-year-old can have wide-reaching effects beyond just the joint. Here’s why fatigue and brain fog can persist for weeks or months afterward.

🧠 Likely Contributors

1. Anesthesia-Related Cognitive Impairment (POCD)

Older adults are more susceptible to Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction—a condition marked by confusion, memory problems, and reduced attention. It can linger for months after general or spinal anesthesia.

2. Inflammation & Immune Overload

Surgery triggers inflammatory cytokines. In aging individuals, “inflammaging”—chronic low-level inflammation—can be aggravated by surgery and slow down both brain recovery and energy restoration.

3. Sleep Disturbances During Recovery

Pain, medications (like opioids), and hospital noise often disrupt sleep. Sleep fragmentation directly affects brain performance and mood.

4. Pain Medications

Opiates, often used for post-op pain, are notoriously sedating and can cause foggy thinking. NSAIDs may also deplete certain nutrients.

5. Physical Deconditioning

Even short periods of bed rest or immobility at age 70 can reduce aerobic capacity and muscle function, contributing to persistent fatigue.

6. Nutritional Depletion

After surgery, patients may eat less or absorb nutrients poorly. Common deficiencies in older adults—like vitamin B12, magnesium, and D—can worsen fatigue and impair cognitive function.

7. Subclinical Infections or Latent Viruses

Though rare, lingering low-grade infections (e.g. around the joint or urinary tract) or reactivated viruses like EBV can prolong recovery and contribute to brain fog.

🛠️ What Can Help?

1. Mitochondrial Support

• CoQ10 (100–200mg/day)

• L-carnitine

• Magnesium glycinate

• Alpha-lipoic acid

2. Brain-Friendly Nutrition

• Anti-inflammatory diet: salmon, berries, turmeric, leafy greens

• Hydration and high-quality protein

3. Movement as Medicine

• Gentle daily walking, gradually increasing distance

• Use of physical therapy to stimulate both circulation and cognitive recovery

4. Cognitive Pacing

• Limit overstimulation

• Break tasks into short chunks

• Use checklists and reminders

5. Red Light Therapy

• May support mitochondrial function and reduce inflammation (especially around the knee and for whole-body fatigue)

6. Review All Meds

• Ask the doctor to reassess medications for side effects like sedation or cognitive blunting