After orthopedic surgical intervention, patients have problems at the clinic and at home, and their level of care dependency

This study aims to determine the problems experienced by patients undergoing orthopedic surgery on the third day after surgery and at home in the first month after discharge, and to evaluate their care dependency levels. This study is a descriptive prospective and crosssectional study. The research, was carried out with 113 patients aged 18 years and over who were admitted to A Public Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic and underwent orthopedic surgery. The data was collected with Personal Information Form, Monitoring Form, and Care Dependency Scale. The data were tested with average, standard deviation, median, minimum- maximum, number and percentage, McNemar, McNemarBrowker, eta square (η2), Cohen's d, Kruskal Wallis-H test, Dunn's multiple comparison test and Linear regression analysis. The average age of patients in our study was 58.19 ± 13.39, and 62.8% is women. 72% of the patients stated that they received patient education on the third day after surgery, and this rate increased at discharge. After reviewing the results of our work with patients who underwent orthopedic surgery, the problem of redness, swelling, tenderness, effluence, heat increase symptoms, nutrition and excretion activities in the surgical site decreased in the first month of discharge. Although the patients mostly had difficulties in performing self-care activities in the clinic and at home and problems with movement restriction, it was observed thar the problems they experienced decreased in the first month of discharge. While the mean score of care addictions of the participants on the third day was 40.26 ± 12.73, it changed to 58.89 ± 13.48 at the first month (p < 0.001). The mean score of care dependency of the patients with trauma was found to be higher than the prosthesis, fracture, vertebra, shoulder RC (Rotator Cuff Syndrome), meniscus, and prosthesis groups. In the linear regression model, independent variables are described as 17% of the dependent variable, but not statistically significant of independent variables. In conclusion, there was a decrease in the care dependencies of the patients in the first month of discharge compared to the third day in the clinic. It concluded that orthopaedic patients experience high levels of movement restriction and dependence on care. With the relief of pain and anxiety of the patients, an increase in their belief in recovery and a decrease in their care dependencies levels were determined. In future studies, it is recommended to carry out interventions to reduce the care dependencies levels of patients and to increase psychological support for patients at all stages of surgical intervention in clinics. KeyWords: Orthopedic Surgery, Activity of Daily Living, Postoperative Period, Care Dependency