全人工膝關節置換術與居家照護

Total Knee Replacement and Home Care

退化性關節膝部關節炎不僅引發疼痛、關節僵硬、肢體變形，也可能降低患者的生活品質，而全人工膝關節置換術為罹患嚴重膝部骨關節炎病人常見的醫療處置。台灣每年接受全人工膝關節置換術的患者高達27,000人，因此患者術後的傷口換藥、飲食營養、復健運動、環境準備、預防跌倒及預防併發症，和延長人工膝關節使用年限等居家照護更顯重要。臨床專業照護人員若能儘早於患者術前即開始評估和教導患者及家屬術後的照護知識和技能，即可提升其術後居家照護能力，減少合併症發生、延長使用年限，以維持生活品質。

Patients with knee osteoarthritis are tempted to suffer pain, ankylosis, knee varus deformity, and low quality of life. Total knee replacement is a common medical treatment for patients with serious knee osteoarthritis. 27,000 patients received total knee replacement per year in Taiwan. Therefore, post operation care of wound dressing change, diet nutrition, knee rehabilitation, home environment for preventing fall and complication, and service life of artificial knee joint extended are important. Clinical professional staff must assess and educate patients and their family about knowledge and skill of post operation care as soon as possible before surgery to increase their care ability, reduce complication, prolong usage of artificial knee, and maintain quality of life.