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Post Hip/Knee Replacements Home Care

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A smooth and speedy recovery depends on your help and cooperation. The patient participation is essential in reaching your goal at home and avoid complications (problems).

Important Points to Remember

  • Do not sit the leg crossed and do not bend the leg lesser than 45 degrees.
  • Do not sit on a lower floor chair or sofa/commode.
  • Use a pillow or foam wedge between your legs while you are in bed.
  • Wear leg compression devices to prevent blood clots and to reduce swelling. Also can elevate the leg with pillow support to reduce swelling 
  • Sit on the edge of the bed and stand with help.
  • Sit up in a chair for meals and physical therapy
  • Do the ankle pumps. Do them 10 times every hour while you are awake.
  • Use a walker or crutches.
  • Do not bend forward while walking, keep the back straight.
  • Help when he need to get out of bed, get out of a chair or go to the bathroom to help prevent falls.
  • Do your exercises as directed by your physical therapist.
  • All the prescribed medicine need to be taken on time
  • In case of pain can apply ice pack but never any hot packs .
  • Wound will take few weeks to heal; until then wound care need to be followed. Proper cleaning and dressing changing is mandate.
  • Check for the following

Warning Signs of Infection

  • Persistent fever (higher than 100 degrees)
  • Shaking chills
  • Increasing redness, tenderness or swelling of your wound
  • Drainage from your wound
  • Increasing pain with both activity and rest

Warning Signs of Blood Clot

  • Pain in your leg or calf unrelated to your incision
  • Tenderness or redness above or below your knee
  • Severe swelling of your thigh, calf, ankle or foot

In very rare cases, a blood clot may travel to your lungs and become life-threatening. Signs that a blood clot has travelled to your lungs include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden onset of chest pain
  • Localized chest pain with coughing

Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the above signs.

Exercises Will Help Speed Recovery and Diminish Postoperative Pain. For example:-

  • Ankle Pumps.
  • Ankle Rotations.
  • Bed-Supported Knee Bends.
  • Buttock Contractions.
  • Abduction Exercise.
  • Quadriceps Set.
  • Straight Leg Raises.
  • Stair Climbing and Descending.

  

To read more on Patient Care, click on the link below.

Patient Care

Content Courtesy : Portea