Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.
The main symptom is pain, causing loss of ability and often stiffness. "Pain" is generally described as a sharp ache or a burning sensation in the associated muscles and tendons. OA can cause a crackling noise (called "crepitus") when the affected joint is moved or touched and people may experience muscle spasms and contractions in the tendons. Occasionally, the joints may also be filled with fluid. Some people report increased pain associated with cold temperature, high humidity, and/or a drop in barometric pressure, but studies have had mixed results.
Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Intervention for Osteoarthritis
Nursing Diagnosis (Postoperative)
Acute pain, related to surgical incision
Risk for infection, related to disruption in skin integrity
Impaired physical mobility, related to activity and weightbearing
restrictions
Risk for ineffective tissue perfusion, right leg, related to vascular
disruption and edema.
Exepected Outcomes
Maintain an adequate level of comfort postoperatively as demonstrated by :
The ability to move easily within restrictions.
Compliance with instructions to cough and breathe deeply.
Verbal expressions of comfort.
Remain free of adverse consequences of immobility such as pneumonia, pressure areas, thromboembolism, or contracture.
Remain free of infection.
Maintain adequate perfusion of affected leg.
Remain free of injury postoperatively.
Nursing Intervention
Assess pain at least hourly during first 24 to 48 hours postoperatively, and as needed thereafter.
Instruct in the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and monitor its effectiveness.
Help change position at least every 2 hours; encourage the use of the overhead trapeze to shift positions frequently.
Maintain sequential compression device and antiembolic stocking as ordered; remove for 1 hour daily.
Encourage the use of the incentive spirometer hourly for first 24 hours, then at least every 2 hours while awake.
Assist out of bed three times a day after the first 24 hours.
Maintain abduction of the right hip with pillows.
Perform passive ROM exercises of unaffected extremities every shift.
Encourage frequent quadriceps-setting exercises and plantar and dorsiflexion of feet.
Assess the surgical site frequently; report signs of excess bleeding or inflammation.
Monitor temperature every 4 hours.
Assess pulses, color, movement, and sensation of right foot hourly for the first 24 hours, then every 2 hours for 24 hours, then every 4 hours.
