Knee replacement, total: Occupational therapy advice following

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy provides practical support to help people recover and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the occupations or daily activities that matter to them. Occupations may include day-to-day self-care such as getting dressed, preparing and eating meals and going to the toilet, being productive at work, studying or caring for others as well as general leisure activities. An occupational therapist will consider all of the patient’s needs – physical, psychological, social and environmental. Further information can be found on the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website (opens in a new tab).

What will the hospital occupational therapist do?

People sometimes find that they have difficulty with carrying out their occupations (which is the clinical term for everyday activities) following an operation. Based on our assessment in your pre-operative clinic, the occupational therapist may provide:

• education and advice on how to continue to complete your occupations (everyday activities) following your operation
• suggestions of minor changes to your home environment, for you or your family to put in place on discharge
• equipment for your home to support you after your operation

Unless we have identified specific goals in your pre-operative clinic, you should not need occupational therapy following your surgery. However, if you have any additional concerns about managing your daily tasks or your home environment, you can ask to speak to the occupational therapist on the ward.

Your occupational therapist is: ____________________________________________

Occupational therapy team contact telephone number: 01223 216881 – call us to provide information about your furniture heights (such as your sofa or armchair, bed, dining chair and toilet) or if you have any further queries.

Total knee replacement pre-operative clinic (to be completed with your occupational therapist)

Recommendations made during your pre-operative clinic appointment:

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If you would benefit from additional equipment following your surgery, your occupational therapist will make recommendations during your pre-operative clinic appointment.

Knee precautions

For six weeks, you should not:

• kneel
• squat
• jump
• lift heavy items/ objects
• engage in high-impact exercises
• drive (you should be able to safely complete an emergency stop before driving)

It is very important that this advice is followed to protect and prolong the life of your new knee.

Here's a link that's a useful resource to help prepare for your surgery and manage afterwards with activities of daily living.

Activities of daily living (ADL)

Getting on/off furniture

• It is recommended that you get out of bed towards the side of your operated leg.
• You should consider the height of your furniture at home as it may be more difficult to get off low furniture following your operation.

Washing

• It is recommended that you strip wash initially following your operation.
• You should be able to return to showering when you feel confident to do so. If you have concerns regarding managing this, speak to your therapist in the community.

Dressing

• You will be encouraged to actively bend your knee following your operation and should be able to bend down as required to complete dressing tasks.
• It may be easier to dress your operated side first.
• Loose fitting clothes will be easier to put on. Bring your own clothes to the ward to practice dressing after your operation.

Household tasks

• You should avoid heavy housework such as changing bed sheets. As you feel able, you can complete light tasks, for example dusting.
• Avoid household tasks that involve kneeling or squatting.
• Following your discharge, you may wish to consider how you will initially do your shopping, as you will be unable to drive. For example, could you ask your family to support you with this, or could you do online shopping?

Cooking/ preparing meals

• Cook simple meals; consider using ready meals and pre-chopped vegetables.
• Before your surgery, batch cook and stock up your cupboards and freezer.
• You will use a mobility aid after your surgery; this will make it difficult for you to carry items. Alternatively, you might need to slide items along kitchen surfaces or carry food in Tupperware or drinks in a flask in a bag over your shoulder.
• You may wish to consider keeping a chair in the kitchen, if there is space, to reduce the need to carry things between rooms. Could you perhaps consider eating at a kitchen worktop or table?