ARTHROPLASY: Hip & Knee Replacement Nursing Care | Dr. Atkinson Nursing (MS2)

🦴 Arthroplasty — including total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) — is one of the most common and life-changing orthopedic procedures performed in healthcare. While these surgeries dramatically improve pain and mobility, recovery depends heavily on vigilant nursing care, early mobilization, neurovascular monitoring, VTE prevention, pain management, and strict postoperative precautions. In this lecture, Dr. Atkinson breaks down the complete Arthroplasty clinical blueprint, including hip and knee replacement fundamentals, perioperative risks, DVT and pulmonary embolism prevention, THA precautions, TKA rehabilitation priorities, postoperative complications, discharge planning, and high-yield nursing interventions for safe patient recovery. 📋 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Arthroplasty Fundamentals: • Osteotomy vs arthroplasty • Joint replacement principles • Hip and knee prostheses • Cemented vs cementless fixation • Hybrid fixation techniques ✅ Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA): • Femoral head replacement • Acetabular socket replacement • Indications for surgery • OA, RA, fractures, congenital disorders • Early ambulation goals ✅ THA Hip Precautions: • No hip flexion beyond 90 degrees • Do not cross legs • Avoid twisting or rotation • Maintain hip abduction • Adaptive equipment use ✅ Hip Dislocation Recognition: • Severe pain or popping • Leg shortening • Abnormal leg rotation • Sudden immobility • Immediate surgeon notification ✅ Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): • Constrained vs nonconstrained prostheses • Ligament stability considerations • Functional recovery goals • Rehabilitation progression ✅ TKA Postoperative Priorities: • Neurovascular checks every 2–4 hours • Compression and ice therapy • Hourly ankle pumps • Drain output monitoring • Early ambulation within 24 hours ✅ VTE & Pulmonary Embolism Prevention: • DVT signs and symptoms • Pulmonary embolism recognition • Anticoagulation therapy • Compression devices • Early mobilization • Patient teaching ✅ Perioperative Risk Management: • Blood loss prevention • Infection prevention • MRSA screening • Tranexamic acid • Pain control strategies • Cell salvage techniques ✅ Rehabilitation & Recovery: • Physical therapy progression • Knee flexion goals • Walker and assistive device training • Weight-bearing precautions • Long-term strengthening ⚠️ CRITICAL ALERTS INSIDE: • Early ambulation within 24 hours reduces DVT, PE, pneumonia, and delirium risk • THA dislocation is a major postoperative emergency • Hip flexion beyond 90 degrees increases dislocation risk • Neurovascular checks are essential after TKA • Calf pain, swelling, and warmth may indicate DVT • Sudden dyspnea or chest pain may indicate pulmonary embolism • Failure to regain knee flexion early may require manipulation under anesthesia • Infection prevention begins before surgery • Continuous passive motion machines remain controversial • Nurses are central to safe arthroplasty recovery and long-term mobility outcomes 🎓 PERFECT FOR: Nursing students, NCLEX prep, medical-surgical nursing, orthopedic nursing, rehabilitation nursing, perioperative nursing, postoperative care education, clinical rotations, and healthcare professionals seeking a strong understanding of hip and knee arthroplasty management. 📌 LIKE, SAVE & SHARE — Arthroplasty transforms mobility and quality of life, but successful recovery depends on excellent nursing care. Master THA and TKA precautions, recognize postoperative complications early, and learn the nursing interventions that protect function, mobility, and patient safety. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE → Dr. Atkinson Nursing | New lectures dropping regularly ───────────────────────────────────── ⚕️ EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER The content presented in this video is intended solely for nursing school educational and academic purposes. It is designed to support student learning in preparation for clinical rotations, coursework, and NCLEX examination study — and does not constitute medical advice, clinical guidance, or a substitute for professional judgment. All information should be verified against your institution's current policies, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and the direction of your supervising faculty and licensed healthcare providers. Patient care decisions must always be made by qualified, licensed professionals in accordance with applicable laws, standards of practice, and individual patient needs. Dr. Atkinson Nursing assumes no liability for the application of any information contained in this content outside of an educational context. ───────────────────────────────────── #NursingStudent #NursingSchool #NCLEX #Arthroplasty #HipReplacement #KneeReplacement #OrthopedicNursing #MedicalSurgicalNursing #PostOpCare #TotalHipArthroplasty #TotalKneeArthroplasty #RehabilitationNursing #JointReplacement #ClinicalRotations #NursingEducation #DrAtkinsonNursing #FutureNurse #RNStudent