The patient/caregiver was educated on fall precautions during immediate post-knee replacement as follows:
- During the immediate phase of post-knee replacement, individuals must plan most of their life on one level in the house. This helps with avoiding the stress of climbing stairs and uneventful falls. Having an elevator can be of additional support for patients in dwellings situated on two or more floors.
- If an elevator is not available and climbing stairs is unavoidable, having sturdy railings on the stairs offers support to the individual going up and down the stairs. Always remember the rule – “Up with the good leg and down with the bad leg” while climbing up and down the stairs. If both legs are equally affected, you can have either leg as the leading leg, followed by the other. Marking the edges of the steps with bright contrasting colored paint or tape can help with safe placement of foot during climbing up and down the stairs. Having the staircase enough lighted can also contribute to fall prevention. While climbing up and down the stairs, holding a cane in the hand opposite to the side of bad leg, as allowed, can be an extra support.
- During the immediate post-surgical phase, having a raised toilet seat with arm rests can help promote comfort. When using a raised toilet seat, make sure the seat is locked to the toilet, to prevent tipping of the seat. The armrests can offer better support during sitting on toilet and getting up from toilet. The armrests enable transfer of weight on to them, which contributes to reduced stress on the aching weightbearing joints of lower extremities. This helps with improved safety and fall prevention.
