While the idea of surgery is often a frightening one, especially to the elderly who may worry about other complications arising from a serious surgery and hospital stay, knee surgeries are very common and quite safe. They can drastically change the quality of life for someone who is suffering from chronic knee pain and, after healing, provide them with a great ability to remain independent in their own home and day-to-day living activities. Physical and occupational therapy can be done at home with in-home rehabilitation providers.
But getting to that point can often be a long journey, so knowing what to expect, being prepared with plenty of assistance during the recovery time, and being patient are key to both the person getting the surgery and their caregiver.
Six Signs Your Elderly Loved One May Need Knee Surgery
This will be up to your loved one and her doctor to determine if surgery is her best option, but several key indicators that they will look at include:
Non-surgical treatments are no longer working or providing relief for a long enough time. Pain relievers and other courses of action stop giving the relief your loved one needs to use her knee and be fully functional.
Her arthritis is getting worse. Over time, the effects of arthritis cause more pain and swelling, and there often isn’t a way to reverse the damage done by arthritis, so surgery might become the best solution for some relief.
Her knee(s) are always swollen. If there is a constant excess of fluid in her knees despite non-surgical treatment methods, surgery is often suggested as the next option.
The pain has become so bad and so persistent that it’s interfering with your loved one’s ability to sleep or rest comfortably.
Your loved one can no longer do many of the activities that she used to love doing. Your loved one may find herself unable to care for herself or her home if her knee pain is too intense.
Your loved one has the ability and resources needed to rest and recuperate properly after the surgery.
Recovery Time from Knee Surgery
Your loved one will do most of her recovery at home, which means you need to be prepared to help her have the services needed so she can recover properly. She might need to stay with a family member for a while, especially if where she currently resides has a lot of steps or multiple floors. She will need to both rest as directed, but also practice the exercises needed to help rebuild her knee strength.
When your loved one gets in-home rehabilitation help, it not only reduces the need for transportation to her physical and/or occupational therapy appointments but also allows her in-home rehabilitation team to work with her in her home to find real-life solutions for actual situations that affect her daily. This added personalization to her care can help her recover more quickly and set her up to be successful even after the in-home rehabilitation sessions have ended.
The road after surgery may look long and overwhelming, but with proper planning, resources, and in-home rehabilitation services, your loved one will soon feel better and be able to navigate her world with less pain and stiffness.
If you or an aging loved one is considering In-Home Rehabilitation Services in Lauderhill, FL, please get in touch with the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call 954-962-0926.
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Florida, including Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward County.
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