After the surgery

  My friend is in his twenties. He had a surgery to replace an Aortic valve.
  1 week after his surgery he is back home. His left leg does not "work",
  does not carry his weight. He is worried about other things as well.
  Can you let me know about rehab programs, recommended physiotherapy,
  and general information about what happens after the surgery is done?
  thanks, R.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Dear R.,  
There are many potential causes of a "leg that does not work" especially
following a major surgery such as your friend had.  It would be very helpful to
have this weakness evaluated by a nuerologist (a doctor who studies the brain and
peripheral nervous system which includes the nerves that control the legs.)
One of the complications of aortic valve surgery is stroke (brain attack so
to speak) however this usually mainifests as weakness on an entire side of the
body (the right/left arm and leg for example).  It is also possible that there
was some nerve compression/irritation in that leg only while the patient was
lying in the same position during the 3-6 hours that this surgery can take.  
Honestly, a good physio or physical therapy program can not be recommended until
there is some kind of evlauation by a neurologist preferably.  Information provided
in the Heart Forum is intended for general informational purposes only, actual diagnosis
and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).