Knee replacement surgery is a common surgery for many elderly. As one of the most common types of orthopedic surgery, there are almost one million knee and hip surgeries performed each year in the United States. The elderly population makes up a large amount of those who have the surgery due to many age-related illnesses. A great option for many individuals recovering from knee replacement surgery is having in-home rehabilitation services.
Knee Problem Symptoms
Working directly with your loved one’s doctor is the best way to determine if knee surgery is something you and your loved one should consider.
If your loved one has any of these symptoms, they can indicate that a conversation with her general practitioner is warranted.
- Inflammation and swelling that is constant and doesn’t respond to standard techniques like icing and medication to reduce swelling.
- Chronic pain. If your elderly loved one has pain all of the time in her knees, even when resting or sleeping, it is affecting her quality of life and ability to perform certain activities.
- A change in her gait. Have you noticed her legs are bowed when walking or she favors one leg or another? She might always change how she uses the stairs, going up one stair at a time so the “better” leg is always used for changing steps.
- The knee doesn’t bend as much as it used to and is stiff. She might have trouble sitting or getting up from a seated position or squatting down to pick up something off of the floor.
- The knee begins to look different such as being larger than the other or pointing in the wrong direction.
Health Conditions that Can Lead to Knee Problems
The leading cause of knee issues in the elderly is arthritis, whether it’s osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The cartilage in the knee gets worn down and the bones begin to rub against each other creating pain and swelling.
Another common cause is often an accidental fall where your loved one has injured her knee and is not recovering fully. A bone fracture in a person with osteoporosis might not heal properly after a bad fall or injury.
Planning for Possible Knee Replacement Surgery
If your loved one’s doctor does determine that knee replacement surgery is her best option, having a plan to help her recover at home is an important step for her caregiver because the surgery occurs.
Your loved one will need consistent care and assistance as she recovers from her surgery. If you cannot have her stay with you or don’t have a family member who can stay with her, you might consider having a home care team help her around her home as she recovers. A 24-hour home care team can make sure someone is there around the clock during those first weeks after surgery when her mobility is the most limited.
With in-home rehabilitation, a professional comes directly to your loved one’s home and caters her rehab to her living situation. With the ability to see first-hand where your elderly loved one lives, the in-home rehabilitation therapist can make sure she has what she needs to safely navigate her home during the healing process and can often prevent problems that may have occurred without that keen insight.
Source: https://www.thecenteroregon.com/medical-blog/knee-replacement-surgery-by-the-numbers/
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Rehabilitation Services in Northport NY, please contact the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call (631) 424-7827
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Long Island and in NYC including Dix Hills, Floral Park, Great Neck, Huntington, Manhasset, Massapequa, Northport, Plainview, Rockville Center, Stony Brook, Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens County.
- Is Knee Surgery in Your Loved One’s Future? - February 25, 2025
- Our Employee of the Month for February - February 21, 2025
- Birthday Wishes to Our CEO - February 21, 2025
