“Getting an orthopedic joint replacement will keep me immobile and in bed for a while”. Medical fact or fiction? Contrary to popular belief, undergoing surgical intervention for a joint replacement will not keep you stuck in bed or on the couch for long periods of time. How?! you say. Lets explore the medical facts!
Why do replace painful joints with painful surgical procedures?
Joint replacements are very common surgical procedures occurring in all individuals across the lifespan, most commonly hip and knee arthroplasty. When we hear surgery we immediately think of pain and time needed for recovery. Joint replacements often occur in those with chronic painful, arthritic joints so the surgical intervention often provided immediate relief of these symptoms (Brennan, & Parsons, 2017). The most commonly reported pain after surgical intervention is pointed towards the actual surgical incision.
I thought I stayed in bed to recovery after surgery?
Early ambulation (or walking) is encouraged as soon as you are are out of the operating room. Crazy right?! Lets take a look at how the media portrays orthopedic healthcare and it’s patients and compare it to scholarly research articles on this topic.
Orthopedic programs at the hospital of your choice are designed and equipped with the staff necessary to provide the support needed to get out of bed and active after surgery. As we seen in this commercial from the Cleveland Clinic, doctors and therapist are involved in the care being provided to ensure that patients are on the right track to healing and becoming pain free. We see multiple patients working with therapists and other members of the healthcare team to recover from their procedures. Interviews of different members of the interdisciplinary team have reveals the first step in providing effective care to a patient is engaging all members of the healthcare team (Arnold, Needham, & Nydahl, 2018). Information revealed by talking with different members of the healthcare team fell around a common theme; early ambulation and activity is key component in healing from an orthopedic procedure.
How does participating in therapy and activity so soon help the healing process?
Many studies have been put into place about initiating ambulation protocols and research for the postoperative orthopedic patient. One major finding that this studies yielded was that of immobility in patients. Many patients go into surgery with the idea that rest is needed in order to heal. According to Teodora (2016), immobility postoperatively can lead to many health complication such as pneumonia, blood clots, pressure ulcers, and loss of functional mobility. The whole purpose of orthopedic joint replacement is to regain mobility in affected, arthritic joints!
Here you have it! Both current day media and scholarly research article debunk this myth that immobility is needed in order to heal from a surgical procedure. We have seen in real hospital advertisements patients participating in therapies and ambulation immediately after their procedure and returning back to activities they once loved. Remember immobility is bad and can lead to serious health complications. If you are thinking of a undergoing a joint replacement get educated, get prepared and get involved in your care! Before you know it you’ll be back to doing those activities you have always loved.
Resources
Teodoro, C. R. (2016). STEP-UP: Study of the Effectiveness of a Patient Ambulation Protocol. MEDSURG Nursing, 25(2), 111–116
Brennan, C., & Parsons, G. (2017). Enhanced Recovery in Orthopedics: A Prospective Audit of an Enhanced Recovery Program for Patients Undergoing Hip or Knee Arthroplasty. MEDSURG Nursing, 26(2), 99–104
Arnold, M., Needham, D. M., & Nydahl, P. (2018). International Round Table Discussion: Early Mobility. International Journal of Safe Patient Handling & Mobility (SPHM), 8(1), 57–64