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Following Joint Replacements with RAPT Attention

Recovery after hip or knee replacement varies from patient to patient. Some can go from the hospital directly home. Others need some extra time in the hospital with help from the physical therapist. And a few will need extended rehab.

Knowing the outcome ahead of time could help family members prepare better for the patient's care. There's a new tool used to help measure risk and predict where the patient will end up. It's called the risk assessment and prediction tool (RAPT). Risk is based on age, gender, and ability to get around without help.

Older females who are housebound and need someone to care for them after the operation are at greatest risk. Younger men who don't rely on walking aids and don't need meals on wheels or live-in care after the operation have the lowest risk.

This study shows that using the RAPT before surgery works well to find patients who will need the most help after hip or knee joint replacement. Patients with low risk went directly home while patients with greater risk were treated with in-hospital physical therapy.

Hospital records over time showed that more patients went directly home when the RAPT was used. There was no increase in the number of patients who were readmitted to the hospital later. The authors conclude that use of the RAPT can help reduce health care costs associated with hip or knee joint replacements.

References: Leonie B. Oldmeadow, MClinEduc, et al. Targeted Postoperative Care Improves Discharge Outcome after Hip or Knee Arthroplasty. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. September 2004. Vol. 85. No. 10. Pp. 1424-1427.

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