Rehabilitation of patients after joint endoprosthesis
Joint endoprosthesis is a reconstructive procedure during which a damaged joint is being restored with the prosthesis implantation. There are several indications for endoprosthesis, mostly it is performed on large joints of lower limbs.
In Belarus this operation is performed on any joint (including a coxofemoral, knee, ulnar and brachial joint) of a patient of any age. In most cases, the main indication for endoprosthesis is osteoarthritis, accompanied by disrupt of normal joint functioning.
Why is it necessary to have rehabilitation after joint endoprosthesis?
Regardless the type of prosthesis, its reconstruction, operated joint, surgical method, age of the patient and his weight, general state of health – every patient needs rehabilitation after an operation. In Belarus rehabilitation after endoprosthesis of hip, knee and shoulder joints is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, including traumatologists and rehabilitation therapists. As far as every patient and his case is unique – everyone needs and individual approach. A team of highly-qualified specialists works out an individual program of rehabilitation measures for every patient, which makes it possible for a patient to come back to his active and full life.
It should be noted that a successful operation is just a part of success in respect to restoration of joint morbidity and release from pain. The right process of rehabilitation plays a big role.
How rehabilitation after endoprosthesis is performed?
In Belarus rehabilitation after joint prosthesis starts before the operation or straight after it. An individual program of restoration of joint functions is being developed taking into consideration patient’s health condition, his weight and other characteristics. From the first day after the operation and within the following 2-3 weeks every patient has an experienced rehabilitation specialist who is responsible for the patient’s rehabilitation, develops an individual rehabilitation program, gives recommendations about changes in the lifestyle.
On the first day after the operation patients have their rehabilitation procedures staying in bed. The intensity of physical therapy is gradually increasing, the number of produced movements is also increasing. Within the rehabilitation time, after hip and knee joint replacement patients use secondary devices, such as walkers or crutches, then a patients starts to walk by himself.
The whole process of preoperative and early postoperative rehabilitation aims at the improvement of cardiovascular and respiratory systems condition, strengthening of muscles and nervous system, improvement of blood supply in tissues. Besides, except physical exercises, a patient can have a massage, electrostimulation, isometric exercises. To prevent from complications in lungs and heart patients are taught a special respiratory gymnastics.
Physical therapy exercises is extremely important to achieve good results during rehabilitation after endoprosthesis of any joints. Its aim is to prevent from contracture development, muscle strengthening in the area of operated joint with the help of a special complex of physical exercises. Contractures, which lead to movement restrictions in a joint, are the result of sclerostenosis in the area of the joint. They inhibit mobility of replaced joint. In Minsk rehabilitation experts teach patients the rules on prevention of the development of contractures, develop a program of physical training for muscle strengthening at home.
After discharge from the hospital further patients’ restoring after joint prosthesis is better to carry out in specialized rehabilitation divisions of Belarus with highly-qualified medical staff. Patients are considered to be fully recovered after rehabilitation in sanatorium equipped by world standards. They have swimming pools, gyms, physiotherapy equipment, massage rooms, therapy baths, — everything needed for full rehabilitation.
Peculiarities of rehabilitation in Belarus
The quality of medical care and rehabilitation at joint endoprosthesis is of a very high level, which doesn’t concede to the best clinics abroad. Belarusian doctors (traumatologists and rehabilitation physicians) have accumulated a huge experience not only in joint replacement surgery, but also in rehabilitation procedures, which help patients to walk and come back to active and productive life for a short time.
Besides, in Belarus the cost for operation and rehabilitation after joint endoprosthesis is considerably lower than abroad.
Modern methods and early initiation of rehabilitation procedures at the Center of Rehabilitation after joint endoprosthesis help to achieve best results after operation of joint endoprosthesis that helps the patients to avoid disability and incapacitation.