Self-Management following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A concept to emphasize
Samreen Sadiq, Rabiya Noor, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rizwan Akram, Izzat Hassan, Hafiz Asim, Amer Aziz
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Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered as one
of the leading cause of disability around the world1. Total knee
Arthroplasty is known to be the best treatment option available for reduction
in pain and symptoms in case of failure of conservative management2.
Recently enhanced recovery pathways have been followed after knee replacement
surgery which includes a combination of early mobility, education of patient
and care giver, nutritional and fluid support. These enhanced pathways lead to
shorter hospital stay3. Due to the shortened hospital stay, the
aspect of self-management by patient becomes fundamental. Post-operative
self-management of patients following knee replacement is a crucial factor for
successful recovery. Self-management as defined by World Health Organization is
the ability of patients, care givers and community to effectively manage with the
disease, either with the support of health service provider or independently. In knee replacement,
self-management includes pain management, physical therapy exercises, daily
self-activities and precautionary measures4.