[Rehabilitation following total hip and knee replacement]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Context:

• Over 330,000 patients undergo primary total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) annually in Germany.
• Postoperative rehabilitation, whether inpatient or outpatient, is standard practice despite financial constraints.
• Effective rehabilitation is crucial for patient recovery and functional outcomes following major joint arthroplasty.

Purpose:

• To outline the essential diagnostic and therapeutic interventions required during the immediate postoperative phase.
• To describe the management strategies for the post-inpatient rehabilitation phase.
• To emphasize the importance of consistent specialist follow-up in the outpatient phase.

Summary:

• This article details the comprehensive rehabilitation pathway for patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement.
• It covers immediate postoperative care, inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term outpatient management.
• Key diagnostic and therapeutic measures are discussed for each phase to optimize patient recovery.

Impact:

• Provides a structured approach to postoperative rehabilitation for THR and TKR patients.
• Highlights the necessity of coordinated care across different healthcare settings.
• Aims to improve functional outcomes and patient satisfaction through standardized rehabilitation protocols.