Care For Postoperative Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients at Home

Abstract

Home care for postoperative total knee arthroplasty patients involves care provided in the home setting and represents a key role for community nurse practitioners in the areas of care, prevention, health promotion, and rehabilitation. Although patients and families receive preparation before hospital discharge regarding knowledge and practice, the patients still encounter the problems of unsuitable care practices and rehabilitation of the knee at the site where surgery was performed. This occurs because care for the knee where surgery was performed is specific and differs from standard postoperative care. Consequently, the knee with arthroplasty stretches and flexes poorly, which leads to more prolonged rehabilitation with physical and psychological effects on the patients. This article is aimed at presenting the roles and duties of community nurse practitioners in caring for patients and rehabilitating patients with total knee arthroplasty at home in order to help patients engage in proper care and rehabilitation of the knee after total knee arthroplasty with participation of family members. This care aims to prevent potential postoperative complications after returning home, such as wound infection, joint inflammation and infection, locked joints and falls, etc. The main goal of this care is to enable patients to live as normally as possible and reduce the burden of care and treatment expenses, thereby leading to sustainable improvement, rehabilitation, and better quality of life.