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Keeping Your Family Member Safe

Healing Without Hindrance: 5 Reasons To Use Rehabilitation Services Following Knee Or Hip Replacement Surgery

9 January 2019

Debbie Rodriguez

Any type of surgery is a big deal, especially if you're older. While knee and hip replacement surgeries are more technically advanced now than in the past, your body still needs time to process healing, and you will need physical therapy to coax the healing along. If you choose to stay at home instead of traveling to rehab, you could be putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. Rehabilitation services are an important and often necessary part of your healing, so don't be too quick to opt for the comforts of home.

1. You Can Pace Your Recovery

If you return home after surgery, you may be forced into doing activities before you're really ready. Even short walks might be challenging, depending on your age, the type of surgery you had, and your overall health. Going home means doing a lot more than you may be ready for physically, which might inhibit healing or even create complications. Using rehabilitation services, you can pace your complete recovery, making it smoother, safer, and, most likely, faster.

2. It's Safer And Easier Adjusting To Walking Devices

Whether you have knee or hip replacement surgery, you're going to need a walking device, and finding just the right one may involve trial and error. You'd much rather be in the company and care of medical professionals as you find out what device is best, as opposed to navigating obstacles outdoors and around the house on your own. Walkers and canes are usually more difficult to adapt to than they seem, especially when you're sore or impaired. Test the different devices and learn how to use them in the safety of a rehab facility, instead of at home with a number of unknown variables impacting your success.

3. You Won't Have To Cook, Clean, Or Do Other Household Activities

Even if you expect to breeze through surgery, your recovery will likely be more lengthy and perhaps challenging than you realize. Being at home may be preferable for a number of personal reasons; however, if you're forced to prepare meals for yourself and pick up around the home, you could be putting your recovery in jeopardy or, at the very least, slowing it down. It may also be dangerous for you to tend to things at home, especially if you live alone.

4. There's No Need To Drive

Because you're already at the place where you'll be undergoing rehabilitation therapy, there's no need for you to struggle to get into your car and drive, probably in discomfort, to your appointments. Using your knee or hip after surgery could be painful or difficult, so driving may not be practical anyway.

5. Your Wound Can Be Closely Monitored

Especially if you're diabetic, you may have a higher risk of developing an infection, and if you're already in a medical facility, that situation can be closely monitored. Taking the risk of overextending yourself at home may mean compromising stitches, opening the door to infection. Since the rehab environment is controlled and sterile, you may be much safer there.

Although you may prefer the comforts of home after surgery, you probably need the close attention and personal direction provided by rehabilitation services, if only for a short time. Once you surpass a certain level of movement, stability, and independence, staff will have you on your way to home, sweet home.

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