Interview with Professor Karen Barker - Post-operative Rehabilitation following Primary Arthroplasty

Description

In a recent online session led by Andrew Hamer, Professor Karen Barker, head of physiotherapy at Oxford's Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, discussed important rehabilitation guidelines for patients post-hip, knee, or shoulder surgery. The guidelines emphasize the need for immediate mobilization—ideally starting on the day of surgery or within 24 hours. Professor Barker explained that rehabilitation can involve either supervised outpatient therapy or self-directed home exercises, highlighting the necessity of researching which method best benefits individual patients. She critiqued NICE's document, noting that while it summarizes existing evidence, it may not reflect best practices in physiotherapy due to an absence of robust trials comparing physiotherapy to no intervention. The discussion touched on the diminishing relevance of hip precautions in modern practice, stressing that there is no substantial evidence supporting these restrictions post-surgery. Additionally, the effectiveness of video consultations was considered, with the acknowledgment that they may not suit all patients, especially the elderly or cognitively impaired. Barker concluded that a flexible approach is essential to accommodate patient preferences and needs in rehabilitation.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-210240

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