New England Rehab Hospital's Orthopedic Education Supports Patient Recovery

Orthopedic education classes are an integral part of the patient's overall rehabilitation at New England Rehab Hospital. The Orthopedic educational class is a multidisciplinary educational series offered to inpatients that have had a total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty or hip fracture.

During a four-day series, education is taught by a physical therapist, occupational therapist and nursing on alternating days.

Ashley's instruction includes:

• A review of the definition of Osteoarthritis
• Risk factors for joint replacement
• A discussion about the surgical procedure with a viewing of the prosthesis
• A review of knee precautions and use of ice therapy
• Precautions associated with kneeling and the importance of early range of motion
• Precautions with respect to travel and future medical/dental care and procedures.

A question and answer period allows the patients to share experiences, gain confidence, reinforce the information they have learned specific to their surgery, and to obtain an understanding of what to expect as they healing process occurs.

Ashley Pitchforth, PT, conducts a physical therapy education class with patients Ruth Kendall, Emile LaBlond and Robert Cousins. who have had a total knee arthroplasty .

Ashley reviews the anatomy of the knee, explaining the arthroplasty surgery procedure and prosthesis.