PATIENTS GOING TO REHAB UNDERGO MORE TESTING AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY: THE PATIENTS PERSPECTIVE

IntroductionSeveral studies have shown that functional outcomes are similar regardless of being discharged directly to home or to a rehabilitation center after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, we sought to determine if there is a difference in patient care or patient satisfaction for patients discharged to in-patient rehabilitation or home-based rehabilitation.Materials and MethodsBetween February and May of 2015, one hundred and seventy one consecutive patients were prospective identified after undergoing TKA by one of three surgeons. At an average of six-weeks post TKA, all patients were asked a patient administered questionnaire to determine if diagnostic testing (ultrasounds, or x-rays) or blood transfusions were performed during the first-six weeks at either home (n=86) or a rehab (n=85) facility.ResultsPatients discharged to in-patient rehabilitation were found to be significantly older and sicker than patients discharged to home-based rehabilitation. Overall a greater number of diagnostic ...