skin breakdown after total knee

Published

Nurses on the ortho unit! I don't have much experience with ortho but have a question. If a patient has TKA, can the patient be repositioned after the surgery? My mom just had TKA in Canada. I got a report from a family member that her coccyx looks like beginning of stage I. They are not repositioning her. Is it b/c you have to stay on your back, or it is not allowed by surgeon? If one is to be repositioned after TKA, then how do you do this with the operative knee? I know with total hip you would log roll on the non-operative side to change positions. Anyway, some input please. :uhoh3:

Specializes in Longterm/Rehab and Hematology/Oncology.

OK...FYI..was not asking for ANY medical advice...but just for the ortho nurses to relay how they handle TKA and mobility. Thanks for all the responses. The patient was up as listed above but just wondering if they were required to stay in same position in bed....Yes, pain is an issue!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Peds, OB, L/D, Ortho.

i work in a joint replacement center and all of our tkr/thr patients are turned within 2 hours of comming to the unit. both ways...even to the op side. they are oob the next morning. i can't see why this wasn't done for this patient. there are no containdications to turning and there sure are a lot of complications to not turning!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

I've seen 1 obese patient came from the OR with a reddened bottom, we rolled and repositioned him, however he was non compliant, did the bare minimum with therapy, he went on rehab POD#3 I happened to work with him at the SNU 2 weeks later... That developed into a stage 2...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion