In: Nursing
A close friend sustains a major knee injury and needs surgery. What have you learned that can help you prepare your friend for surgery and recovery?
Ans .
Pre operative care :
-On the previous day of surgery avoid eating drinking from midnight
-discontinue aspirin containing medicine before 5 days prior to surgery.
- stop taking anti- inflammatory drugs like avil, ibuprofen prior to 7 days of surgery
- inform all about medication to doctor currently taking and clearify what can or cannot taken.
- make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the surgery.
- inform your physician if you are suffering from hypertension, diabetes mellitus or heart disease.
Post operative instructions:
Apart from specific instructions, you should follow
- take pain reliever and other advised medication. After 48 hours of surgery, take pain medication if needed
- first 24 hours of surgery, don't try to get rid of from the bed due to anasthetic affect.
- keep dressing of the wound and cleaning of the wound appropriately.
- try to begin physical therapy day or two after surgery. exercise inthe first week are usually aimed at regarding joint motion. strengthening exercises should start later on.
- drainage at particular site should be checked and evaluated.
Consult your doctor if it occurs immediately..
- increase drainage from incision.
- increase redness of operative area.
- increased swelling that does not decrease with ice and elevations.
- foul odor and fever greater than 101f.
- sudden calf pain and shortness of breath.
Recovery- :
Day 1 rehabilitate begins right after patient wake up from the surgery. With in first 24 hours, physical therapist will help to stand up and walk using an assistive device.
Day 2 you might walk for, brief period usingan assistive device, if the surgeon use waterproof dressing, patient can shower.
Patient might ask to use a regular toilet rather than a bed pan.
Day 3 discharge summary can be planned. If the patient condition is well.
In the first two to three weeks after surgery, do the best you can to keep swelling to a minimum. This helps you achieve passive range of motion sooner, so you will be on your way to recovery faster. To keep swelling down, ice for 10 minutes every hour for the first few days after your procedure.
By 3 week back home and in rehab facility, patient should able to move around more freely while experiencing reduce pain.
Keep the joint straight immediately after surgery. You might choose a straight-backed chair, rather than your comfy recliner, and lie flat while in bed to promote straightness. Avoid kneeling, squatting, and stair climbing as much as possible. Your physical therapy team will advise when to add in gentle bending to encourage range of motion.
Patient routine will include exercise. Which helps to improve mobility and range of motion as prescribed by a therapist.