Accelerated Arthroplasty theatre team
This year the focus of World Physiotherapy Day was osteoarthritis, including the prevention of osteoarthritis and the management of the condition. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and is the most common reason people undergo arthroplasty or joint replacement.
Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure to restore the function of a joint, by replacing it with an artificial joint, usually made of titanium and polyethylene. The most common types of arthroplasties are hip replacement and knee replacement. In 2020, there were 49,169 hip and 62,624 knee replacements performed in Australia.
Physiotherapists play an integral role in a patient’s arthroplasty journey. They can provide education and pre-operative exercises to help strengthen muscles around the joint and to improve joint movement and lubrication. Following surgery, physiotherapists help patients during their rehabilitation, getting them back on their feet, literally!
In May 2021, STARS initiated their Accelerated Arthroplasty Service, the first of its kind in Metro North. The service aims to deliver an innovative pathway ensuring excellent quality of care and high patient satisfaction rates, while improving the current average length of stay in Queensland public hospitals.
“Telehealth technology allows physiotherapists to visit patients in their homes to start their rehabilitation and get them back to work and the activities they enjoy most,” senior physiotherapist Erin Huttenmeister said.
Physiotherapist Erin Huttenmeister and the 100th STARS Accelerated Arthroplasty recipient Sharon Haughey
The Accelerated Arthroplasty Service is achieving its goal for patients to spend an average of two nights in hospital before safely continuing their recovery in their own homes. This is about two days less in hospital than the Queensland average.
“The Accelerated Arthroplasty Service has been a huge success and we have now performed our 100th joint replacement. It has been a challenging yet rewarding experience to be involved in developing and delivering this innovative arthroplasty pathway,” Erin said.
“Patients report they feel well prepared ahead of their surgery, appreciate the use of telehealth technology for timely virtual home visits and overall are happy with their experience. Our data shows that complications and readmissions rates are lower than the Queensland average which is great news for our patients as well as benefiting the health service.
“I’d like to give a big shout out to all the physiotherapists at STARS who always strive for best practice.”
Congratulations to the STARS Accelerated Arthroplasty Service team and all clinicians involved in providing excellent, evidence-based care to our patients and achieving their targets.