Caregiver Resources

Your loved one is in great hands at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. During your family member’s stay in our dedicated Orthopaedic Unit at our Edgewood, KY campus, they will receive care from our specialized orthopaedic staff, as well as access to our full orthopaedic rehabilitation gym and both patient and caregiver educational programs. Below are some helpful tips and suggestions to ensure a smooth recovery during your family member’s knee replacement recovery. 

In the Hospital 

Your loved one’s rehabilitation begins in the hospital shortly after knee replacement surgery. The day of surgery, a physical therapist or nurse should help them sit up in a chair or begin walking. 

As the caregiver, you can help by: 

• Reminding your family member to do breathing exercises, ankle pumps, coughing and deep breathing. These simple exercises are quick and help to clear the lungs, prevent pneumonia and avoid blood clots. 
• Attending a physical therapy session with them to learn the exercises. This will be helpful once your family member is home and doing exercises on their own.
• Making sure to not let your family member get up without assistance. Our trained staff members will help them get out of bed and with walking. 
• Asking questions or voicing concerns – our staff is happy to help clarify or give further instructions on anything you need. 

Leaving the Hospital 

Transportation 

When the orthopaedic team discharges your loved one from the hospital, the next stop is either heading home or to a skilled nursing facility. You will be responsible for providing transportation to your loved one. They should be able to travel by car when discharged.

Medications

Your doctor will prescribe medicine and a blood thinner upon hospital discharge. These prescriptions should be filled immediately for use at home. If your loved one is heading to a skilled nursing facility first, medications will be provided at the facility. 

Equipment 

If your loved one is coming home to recover and rehabilitate, they will need equipment at home. This equipment can include: 

• Assistive walking devices, such as a cane, crutches or a walker
• Ice packs 
• Hand-held breathing device 
• Pillows for elevation 
• Some surgeons suggest using a Continuous Passive Motion Machine (CPM) at home – check with the surgeon to see if a CPM is a good fit for your loved one’s rehabilitation plan. 

Before your family member leaves the hospital our orthopaedic team will help to secure this equipment for home use. If they are headed to a skilled nursing facility, all necessary equipment will be provided for them at the facility.

Safety 

Your loved one might be looking forward to returning to the comforts of home. As a caregiver, you can do a few simple things to make the transition home as smooth as possible. 

• Move furniture, electric cords and rugs so there is a clear, unobstructed path for your loved one to navigate with their crutches or walker. 
• Safeguard the bathroom, as it’s the number one place for home accidents. Have your loved one use extra care when showering and provide assistance if needed. 
• Make sure your loved one is aware of their surroundings when they are moving around.
   

Assistance

Even the most independent patients need assistance for several days after knee replacement surgery. Your family member will need your help with meals, showering and dressing while they are using crutches or a walker. When seated comfortably, they should be able to get up and down and move around the house with their assistive device. It’s important to follow the incision care instructions from your loved one’s orthopaedic team. 

Things to Watch For 

As with any major surgery, there are things to watch for in your loved one as they recover from their knee replacement surgery. Contact your loved one’s physician if they have: 

• A fever over 101°F
• Chest pains 
• Shortness of breath
• Calf pain, swelling or redness
• Any type of injury to the knee or surgical incision area 
• Any changes in appearance to the surgical incision area 

Therapy/Exercise 

Physical therapy and home exercise are important pieces in your loved one’s recovery. Closely following the physical therapist’s instructions will help to maximize their mobility and help with recovery time. To help make the most of physical therapy and home exercise:

• Your loved one should make the physical therapy appointment to ensure it’s at a convenient time. 
• Help your family member find a balance between rest and doing their therapeutic exercises.
• If they have been prescribed a CPM to use at home, follow the surgeon’s instructions on how frequently to use it each day. 

Swelling is normal but can cause additional pain. Help your loved one do the following to reduce swelling:

• Elevate their knee on several pillows when resting
• Apply ice 

Emotional Support 

In addition to providing assistance to your loved one, your support and encouragement are also important pieces in their recovery. Even though they will be in pain from their knee replacement surgery, it’s important to encourage them to continue with their physical therapy and daily exercise routine. Help your family member work through any frustration and focus on the goals of healing and strengthening their knee. Your support and encouragement will make a big difference in their recovery.

Contact Us

Helpful contact numbers that you might need: 

Total Joint Center Coordinator – (859) 301-0405

St. Elizabeth Outpatient Physical Therapy – (859) 301-2168 

St. Elizabeth Care Coordination – (859) 301-2275