Occupational Therapy Following a Joint Replacement

Have you been experiencing pain in your hip or knee? Are you having difficulty completing daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing, and making a meal?  Is it becoming more difficult to walk around your house, through the grocery store, or attend special events where there are stairs?

These are some important questions to consider before talking with your doctor about having a hip or knee replacement surgery.  The surgery, and the expected pain and inconvenience, can seem overwhelming, however the after effects can be life changing.  The therapy department at Veterans Memorial Hospital is here to help you through the transition from a painful, limiting joint to returning to a fulfilling productive life.

Here are some helpful tips to think about before having a knee or hip replacement surgery.  Schedule a physical and occupational therapy appointment prior to surgery in order to learn how to use a walker or cane safely, how to transfer on/off the bed, how to perform self-massage techniques to reduce the risk of excessive swelling, and many more beneficial skills to make the transition to home easier.

The expected length of stay in the hospital following a knee or hip replacement surgery is 1 day to 2 weeks depending on your medical history and recovery rate.  If you have your joint replacement surgery at another facility, you are welcome to be transferred to Skilled Care at Veterans Memorial Hospital, where you remain an inpatient while attending occupational and physical therapy sessions.   Otherwise, following your discharge from the hospital to your home, you can participate in outpatient therapy or home health services.

Following a joint replacement surgery, the therapy staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital develop a personalized course of treatment to help restore you to your prior level of functioning. The therapists will provide instructions on how to move your body and complete daily tasks (such as dressing, bathing, toileting, meal preparation, etc.) safely.

Pete Keune of Gunder has utilized the occupational and physical therapy services at Veterans Memorial Hospital for both of his knee replacements. He states, “My experience here again was outstanding.  Everyone here is so informative and explains how it all works.  When I had my other knee done, I had all my therapy here, and I knew I wanted to come back here again following this knee.  They are all really happy people here. Where else would I ever want to go?  I would recommend this place to anyone.”

Prior to surgery, there are a few things you can do to prepare your house to ensure for a successful joint replacement. Some suggestions on how to prepare your home are:

1. Remove all throw rugs
2. Remove furniture and clutter from pathways throughout your home
3. Be aware that falls can occur if there are pets in the house
4. Install railings alongside of house entrance/exit steps
5. Install grab bars near bathtub, shower, and toilet

The therapy staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital are here to assist you in the recovery process, and you are part of the team because you play a vital role in a successful recovery.   We are excited to work with you during your inpatient and outpatient program after your joint replacement surgery.  It is the therapy department’s goal to see that you regain function and ability to return to daily activities that you enjoy.

By: Tami Gebel, OTR/L