The Mater Hospital: Therapist uses wrecker’s yard ute to help hip surgery patients

A therapist at a top Sydney private hospital has come up with a groundbreaking idea to use a wrecker’s yard ute to help hip replacement patients recover after surgery.

A one-of-a-kind rehab device, created out of an old ute from a wrecker’s yard, is being used at a top Sydney private hospital to help patients recovering from major orthopaedic operations.

Matilda Freeburn, an occupational therapist at The Mater in Crows Nest, thought up the “car transfer station”, so people who have just had joint replacements can practise getting in and out of their vehicles.

During her work with hundreds of patients who had hip and knee surgery, Ms Freeburn noticed many of them found it a significant challenge to get into a car seat in the days after hip and knee surgery.

She said because their mobility was temporarily affected, the patients lacked confidence, or were even fearful, of doing something regarded as part of normal life.

It can also become a major barrier to patients them being able to be discharged directly to their homes.

The "Car Transfer Station" — which is made out of an old Ford ute — at The Mater Hospital, Crows Nest, which is used to help joint surgery patients learn the best way to exit and enter cars as they recover from their operations. Picture: Supplied

So Ms Freeburn, with the support of the hospital’s allied health manager and physiotherapist, Caitlin Redmayne, suggested a simulator where people could practise swinging their legs and bodies into a car.

The $45,000 “car transfer station” — funded by a donation from the Bernard Curran Foundation — allows patients, under the guidance of staff, to practice a technique that minimises twisting and bending.

Joint surgery patient Terry Martinesz, with occupational therapist Matilda Freeman, who is helping him use the "Car Transfer Station" at The Mater Hospital, Crows Nest. Picture: Supplied

Ms Freeburn said the old Ford ute was sourced from a wreckers and modified by AMTEK, the same company that fits out police and ambulance vehicles.

The ute’s cab sits on a forklift, on a ward, and can be adjusted to fit the height of the car the patient is to go home in, including sedans, 4WDs and SUVs.

About 10 per cent of The Mater’s joint surgery patients come from rural areas and often travel back home in a motor vehicle.

“Our research indicated that getting in and out of the car, and going up and down stairs, are two of the main barriers to patients getting home,” Ms Freeburn said.

Patient Terry Martinesz, with occupational therapist Matilda Freeman, who came up with the idea of the “Car Transfer Station" to give people more confidence in getting in and out of cars after major orthopaedic surgery. Picture: Supplied

“So, as a way to improve their confidence, we wanted to simulate, in a realistic manner, what getting in and out the car after hip replacement, looks like.

“It is the very first thing you do when you walk out the hospital doors.”

Mater Hospital orthopaedic surgeon Matt Lyons said the car transfer station was an excellent way of allaying patients’ fears and helping them to assimilate back into their normal way of life.

“Patients are often worried about their mobility post-surgery and this helps them regain some confidence that they can get home and live independently,” Dr Lyons said.

Joint surgery patient Terry Martinesz, practises, watch by occupational therapist Matilda Freeman, on the "Car Transfer Station". He gave the simulator “10 out of 10”. Picture: Supplied

Retiree Terry Martinesz, who had ceramic hip resurfacing surgery last Friday, praised the simulator and Ms Freeburn, giving the initiative a score of “10 out of 10”.

Mr Martinesz, 62, who flew in from Cairns, was using the transfer station just three days a after surgery.

“I couldn’t fault it,” he said.

“I got in and out of it a couple of times, and after the second time, I knew exactly what I had to do, relative to my procedure.

“Matilda and her support team made the whole experience super, super, cool and really doable.

“I don’t think I would have been as confident getting in and out of vehicles without the simulator.”

Originally published as The Mater Hospital: Therapist uses wrecker’s yard ute to help hip surgery patients