This website will continue to explain how Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy will assist you throughout your elective knee replacement journey. For more information, please refer back to the Joint Replacement School Video and resources linked below:
Physiotherapy
Aim
The physiotherapist will visit you either the afternoon of your operation or the next morning. We aim to have you up walking on the same day as your operation or the next morning. Physiotherapy will also provide an exercise program which will be similar to the exercises discussed in the Joint Replacement School Video.
At present we aim to get people home within a few days of your operation but this varies and you may get home sooner or later than this.
Pain Management
Some patients having a knee replacement operation have mild pain and others have more pain. Everyone is different but you should expect to have some pain. You must let the nursing staff know when you start to feel pain so that they can help you. It is harder to get the pain under control if you wait too long.
The anaesthetist and ward staff will discuss pain relief options with you and a pain management nurse may visit you after the operation.
We may inject nerve blocks or local anaesthetic into the new joint while you are in theatre. As these wear off you will tend to feel the pain increasing. It is very important that you let the nursing staff know when this happens so they can get you pain killers. Powerful pain-killing tablets (Opiates) are the most commonly used method of pain relief. Sometimes we use patient controlled analgesia (P.C.A.) however this is much less common.
Do not wait until you are very sore before asking for pain killers.
Exercises
It is important for you to continue any physical activity that you are currently doing, if able. It is widely known that the benefits of engaging in physical activity pre-surgery will positively influence your recovery. There are also additional exercises which may help to strengthen specific muscles and increase your movement in preparation of surgery. You should do these exercises before and after your surgery, to aid your recovery. These can be viewed below.
Knee Replacement Lying Exercises
Knee Replacement Seated Exercises
Negotiating Stairs
If you are struggling with stairs before your operation, you may find it easier to complete stairs one at a time while leading with the stronger leg on the way up and leading with the weaker leg on the way down.
You may find it beneficial to have a banister or handrail installed in preparation for coming home.
Physiotherapists will ensure you are able to negotiate going up and down stairs before you are discharged, if this is necessary.
Occupational Therapy
Aim
Soon after your surgery, the occupational therapist will assess you on the ward. They will assess how you will function at home post-operatively ie. assess your activities of daily living, how you are managing to get in and out of bed, toileting, if you are managing to wash and dress, and how you are going to prepare meals.
The occupational therapist will also give advice regarding self-directed rehabilitation and information on how to progress once you return home. This may include recommending new techniques for washing or dressing, using the stairs, getting in and out of the car or carrying out daily activities in the safest and most energy-conserving way possible.
Home Environment
There is a lot you can do to prepare for your surgery beforehand. During the lead up to surgery, it would be beneficial to prepare your home environment. This should include looking for/rectifying potential trip hazards, highlighting if the height of your toilet and bed are very low or high (there will be an electronic measurement form for you to complete), and how you will receive support from family and/or friends afterwards.
During your in-patient stay, your occupational therapist will assess and identify any equipment needs and arrange for these to be in place before you go home.
Activities of Daily Living
Activities of Daily Living (ADL), are all the essential, basic self-care tasks that people need to do every day to keep themselves safe, healthy, clean and feeling good. These can include: getting up in the morning, showering, grooming, preparing and cooking meals, shopping and medication management.