What to Expect

Before your joint replacement, make sure you know what to expect. Understanding how each stage of the treatment process works will help you and your loved ones make your experience comfortable, relaxed, and positive. Our staff will be there to support you before, during, and after your surgery.

Preparing for Surgery

After your surgeon schedules your surgery you will get a call from the hospital to schedule an appointment for Pre-admission Testing and the Joint Education Class. During this appointment you will have any necessary lab work and/or EKG. You will meet with an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist who will teach you exercises and strategies to regain your strength and return to your normal activities.

You will attend a group Joint Class led by an orthopedic nurse who will review the things you need to know prior to surgery, including what to expect and how to achieve the best possible results.

You will be seen by a physician who will do an assessment and then will follow you while you are in the hospital to oversee any medical needs. This physician works closely with your orthopedic surgeon to ensure that you are in optimal condition before and after surgery.

Nursing Care

The orthopedic nursing unit has a very experienced, highly skilled nursing team dedicated to high quality, compassionate care of the joint patient. The nursing staff will check on you hourly in order to make sure all your needs are met.

• The focus is on pain management and early mobility to facilitate the very best recovery after your surgery.
• The nurse works closely with your hospitalist, surgeon, physical and occupational therapists, and discharge planner in order to best meet your needs.
• We are nationally recognized for our clinical outcomes for our joint patients.
• Our customer satisfaction scores are above national averages.

Rehabilitation

The Rehab portion of your hospital stay could be the most important part of your entire recovery. We instruct you in how to move safely and educate you on the best methods for activities of daily living so you can return home and be as independent as possible. We also instruct you in a home exercise program so that you can achieve excellent range of motion and function after you receive your new joint. Remember-it is up to the YOU to do your therapy exercises at home so you can achieve the very best results and return to an active lifestyle.

Physical therapy begins for all joint patients in Joint Class a few weeks prior to surgery. You are educated on walker training, stair training, and initial leg exercises that should be performed prior to surgery.

Occupational therapy also begins in Joint Class prior to surgery. You will be educated on home safety, various pieces of adaptive equipment for the home, how to get in and out of a tub, shower or car, and the best methods to move safely during your daily activities.