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Physiotherapy Assistant Olena Tonkykh assesses James Jones’ mobility after his hip replacement surgery.

James Jones successfully navigated three steps up, turned around, and came back down using a crutch and the railing in the rehab gym, just two weeks after receiving a new left hip courtesy of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Paul Beaulé.

Jones was also timed as he walked 44 feet and he filled out several questionnaires – all part of a study to assess patients six times just before and after knee or hip replacements, rather than waiting six to 12 months after surgery. The questionnaires assess, for example, readiness for discharge; levels of energy, pain, nausea and depression; how well they’re coping at home; and how well they understand educational information given.

“This being a learning institution, it was important for me to provide feedback to see what’s working and what’s not,” said Jones, explaining why he wanted to be part of the study, which began in April and is nearing completion.

More than 3,000 joint replacements are done yearly in the Champlain LHIN and wait lists are growing with baby boomers.

“We need to use our resources more efficiently and getting our patients home safely and earlier (i.e. over 50 percent the next day) is important,” said Dr. Beaulé. The study is also notable because it involved collaboration between clinical physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons.

“It shows clinical people are more than happy to be involved in research too,” he said. “It helps remove the aura of mystique surrounding research. Everyone can participate. Without the physiotherapists, this research would not have been possible.”

“Preliminary results show that simple functional tasks could be used to adequately assess patients for their readiness for hospital discharge,” said Stéphane Poitras, the physiotherapist and University of Ottawa professor who designed the study.

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