Advice for Home Care Providers for Knee Replacement Patients

Knee replacement surgery is a procedure which replaces the surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability. The damaged portion is replaced with a plastic component which allows for continued motion in the knee. Reasons for this type of surgery include osteoarthritis and other knee diseases such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Other reasons can include injuries such as ligament tears or cartilage defects.

Advice for Caregivers of Knee Replacement Patients

• Following knee replacement surgery, a patient can except to spend one to seven days in the hospital, followed by several weeks of physical therapy to restore motion, strength and function.

  The first few weeks will require the patient to use crutches or a walker for protected weight bearing until the muscle has healed and recovered its strength. Most physicians will recommend that someone stay with the patient when he is first discharged home to help with the activities of daily living.

  Be sure to obtain the proper equipment recommended by the physician. Walkers and crutches can be purchased at any medical supply store and the cost can sometimes be covered by health insurance. Another important step is preparing the home for the recovery process. This can be accomplished by placing items in easy to reach places and making sure there are no obstacles in the way which could cause slips or falls.

  The incision will need to be kept clean and dry so it is important to have several bandages handy. If you are not comfortable with this type of task, contacting a home health agency to perform the necessary dressing changes is another option. Most agencies also have physical therapists who can work with the patient in their home.

  Pain can be expected after any type of surgical procedure so it is always important to get any prescriptions filled for pain medication. Also consult with the physician to find out which over-the-counter pain medications are recommended.