Targeted early rehabilitation at home after total hip and knee joint replacement: Does it work?

Abstract

Targeted early rehabilitation resulted in reducing the length of hospital stay without an increase in complication rates. The use of such a scheme brought significant savings to the trust without an increase in readmission rates.

La rehabilitación y fisioterapia domiciliaria en las prótesis de rodilla

“…Cinco ensayos 14,15,28,25,35 trataron el tema de la rehabilitación domiciliaria versus ambulatoria. El estudio de Mitchell y col 14 explica exhaustivamente el procedimiento llevado a cabo durante las sesiones de fisioterapia del preoperatorio y del postoperatorio.…”

Rehabilitation of Patients Following Arthroplasty of the Hip and Knee

“…physical agents). The rehabilitation applied initially in the orthopedic department should be continued later at home, with the cooperation of the family, or, if that is not possible, in a medical rehabilitation unit (Iyengar et al, 2007). The lack of appropriate rehabilitation in this early period can often seriously undermine the effects of the surgeon's efforts.…”

“…There is no generally accepted rehabilitation protocol for patients after total hip replacement with cemented or cementless prosthesis. The differences relate to both the methods of rehabilitation and the date of commencement of full loading of the operated joint (Iyengar et al, 2007;Wilk & Frańczuk, 2005a). A constant search for optimal solutions is therefore necessary.…”

“…As in other age groups, walking on crutches should be symmetrical, preferably two-beat with symmetrical work of the upper limbs. Family support is also particularly important, oriented towards motivating the patient to take an active role in the process of treatment and supporting the patient's desire to recover fitness and health, and to continue rehabilitation later, at home (Iyengar et al, 2007).…”

Methods for Optimising Patient Function After Total Hip Arthroplasty

“…Early targeted rehabilitation has been shown to reduce hospital length of stay without an increase in complication rates after THR (Iyengar et al 2007). Exercise programs beyond the normal postoperative rehabilitation period have been shown to reduce pain and leg stiffness, improve physical function and lessen the chance of accidental falls in THR patients (Gilbey et al 2003).…”