If you haven’t caught up with our most recent post detailing osteoarthritis and its risk factors, start there!
Unfortunately, even after putting in the work to improve your joint health, sometimes the need for surgical intervention is unavoidable. Indications for a knee replacement are the impairments to your quality of life, for example reduced range of movement at the knee (limited bending and/or straightening) and persistent pain which pain relief struggles to manage. Your physiotherapist may refer you for further imaging such as an x-ray and advise review by an orthopaedic surgeon. Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in bones and joints and many work alongside physiotherapists to treat their patients effectively.
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During knee replacement surgery, the surgeon will remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint, this process normally takes a few hours to complete. If the surgery is low risk, you can expect to be discharged within 24 – 48 hours, or a little longer if it is higher risk. The artificial joint is often made from a metal and plastic combination and generally last around 10 – 15 years.
From the moment you wake up following the surgery, your rehabilitation has begun. During the recovery time on the hospital ward, you will see the physiotherapist who will set out expectations for recovery and ensure that you are confident with your exercises. You will also practice transfers on and off the bed/toilet, gentle walking around the area and ascending/descending the stairs. They will also make sure you return home with a walking aid such as a walking frame or crutches so that you are able to offload the recovering leg.
The role of rehabilitation is to strengthen your knee and the surrounding muscles, to improve your mobility and transfers and to help you become more confident using the joint that you have been struggling with. Early mobilisation (within 4-8 hours following surgery) has many benefits such as reducing post-operative complications like pneumonia, stroke and deep vein thrombosis, psychological benefits of reduced pain and increased independence and ultimately, a shorter hospital stay.
As we conclude our discussion on personalised allied health care, we extend a heartfelt encouragement to healthcare providers and patients alike to embrace personalisation as a guiding principle in healthcare delivery. By prioritising individual needs, preferences, and circumstances, we can unlock the full potential of allied health services, leading to enhanced health outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, and a brighter future for healthcare. Let us continue to champion personalised care as we strive to empower individuals and communities to live their healthiest, most fulfilling lives.
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Providing mobile Allied Health Services and NDIS-aligned supports. We empower independence through professional care delivered directly to your home.
Support at Home (Aged Care) and NDIS services, delivering allied health support across all ages and stages of care.
