Knee Replacement - Post discharge

Should the patient still require help from the nursing staff after discharge from the hospital to the hotel ,this can be provided. Any equipment that they may require to use in the hotel such as a toilet seat or armchair will be provided from the hospital. The special rooms have a walk in shower cubicle to facilitate washing. They will continue to be monitored as necessary by the physiotherapist either in the hotel or in the hospital department which is situated next door. Post operatively the exercises are basically the same as pre operatively but with a few additions:

1. Move your feet up and down from the ankles
2. Move your feet in a circle anti- clockwise and clockwise.
3. Put a towel or small pillow under your knee. Pull your foot towards you and straighten your      knee so that the heel comes off the bed. Hold for a count of five.
4. Tighten the muscles of your thigh to straighten your knee and try to lift your leg a few      inches off the bed. Hold for a count of five and then lower.
5. Lying on your back, lift your leg slightly off the bed and then take it out to the side, hold for      a few seconds and then bring it back in and relax.
6. In lying bend and straighten your leg. Putting a piece of hardboard or melamine under      your leg will make this movement easier.
7. In sitting lift your leg to straighten your knee. Hold for a few seconds and then lower it      down again.
8. Whilst standing holding onto a support in front of you:
    • Go up onto tip toes, lower down and rock back onto heels keeping bottom in.
    • Squat bending knees and hips then straighten up
    • Lift right knee up to touch bar and then lower. Repeat with left.
    • Standing straight lift right leg out to the side. Hold then lower down. Repeat with left.
    • Walk sideways, five steps one way the other

Remember not to walk without your sticks until the Doctor or the Physiotherapist tells you that you can.
When going up and down stairs the good leg always goes up first, and the operated leg goes down first. The sticks stay with the operated leg.
When the stitches or clips are removed by the out patient nurses, the wound should be kept dry for a few days. After this it can be washed normally but soaking in a bath should be avoided until the wound is totally healed. Should the stitch line need moisturising the best thing is E45 cream or a similar product. The stitch line may be numb for a while after surgery due to the nerves to the skin being cut- this will return to normal in time as the nerves grow back into the skin. It is acceptable to turn over onto tummy to exercise when the patient feels ready. Eventually they will be able to do everything including kneeling (if absolutely necessary), though it is better not to strain the joint if it can be avoided.