Life Care of Red Bank helps knee replacement patient get home in one week

Darlene King came to Life Care Center of Red Bank in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Sept. 1, 2020, after having a left partial knee replacement.

She chose rehab at the facility over having home health therapy.

“I wanted to come for short-term therapy to know I would be safe at home,” Darlene shared. “I’m certainly happy I’ve had therapy. I wouldn’t have known what to do and would have had too many questions if I had gone home from the hospital.”

When she arrived at Life Care Center of Red Bank, Darlene needed minimal assistance with walking, transfers from one surface to another (such as from a bed to a wheelchair), standing balance, bathing and getting dressed.

Physical therapists worked with Darlene on gait training, and she was able to advance from using a walker to using a four-point cane. Occupational therapists used a tub transfer bench to assist her with transfers, and they helped her with energy conservation techniques during her self-care, as well as adaptive equipment. The team helped her develop a home exercise program to maintain her progress once she left.

Darlene returned home, independent, on Sept. 8.