Joint Replacement Surgery: Patient Education & Recovery Resources

Joint Replacement Surgery Preparation

More information about pre- and post-surgery will be provided by your surgical team. Individualized education will be shared with you via your personal health portal in MyChart once a plan of care has been determined by your provider. If you have questions, give us a call.

Please note that not all services may be available at all locations.

What to Expect

Once you and your surgeon have made a plan for a total joint replacement surgery, you will meet with members of our team to help you prepare and maneuver through the surgery process. Your surgeon will help manage your care by either working with your current doctors or assigning a nurse navigator or peri-operative optimization provider.

What to expect from your RN nurse navigators:

• Help plan for discharge from the hospital and for a successful recovery
• Provide and explain education resources that are available to you

What to expect from your peri-operative optimization providers (physician or nurse practitioner): 

• Identify risk factors that could impact your surgery and recovery
• Collaborate with your surgeon and recommend further medical care, if necessary

Our team is eager to help you feel comfortable and confident as you prepare for surgery and recovery. We welcome your family and support network to join you every step of the way, and we encourage their participation in all recommended educational activities. Our goal is simple: to help you get back to a more active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.

Preparing Your Home

Prevent Falls

• Tape loose edges of room size rugs or remove them.
• Don’t use bath oils in the shower or tub.
• Wear proper footwear with non-skid bottoms (no “scuffs” or shoes without heels).
• Remove dirt, dust and lint from the rubber tips of your walker, crutches or cane.

Stairs and Steps

• Remove throw rugs.
• Make sure there’s enough light to see each step and landing.
• Install handrails on both sides of your stairway (if possible).
• Don’t leave objects on the stairs.
• If possible, prepare a temporary living space on the ground floor of your home. Walking up and down steps is difficult in early recovery.

Kitchen

• Remove throw rugs.
• Immediately clean up any spills (liquid, grease, food, etc.).
• Store food, dishes and cooking equipment at an easy-to-reach waist level.
• Place frequently used items on the upper shelf of your refrigerator.
• Group similar items together for easier access.
• Plan simple, easy meals.
• Prepare extra meals before your surgery and freeze them for your return home.
• Clear your countertops so you can slide items from one location to another.

Bathroom

• Remove throw rugs.
• Store items at an easy-to-reach waist level.
• Consider purchasing an elevated toilet seat.
• Talk to your therapist about your bathing or showering routine. You may need to use a different method while you recover.
• You may need special equipment. Your caregiver team will discuss this with you during class, and during your hospital stay.

Bedroom

• Remove throw rugs.
• Remove clutter from the floor.
• Make wide paths so you can move with your walker, cane or crutches.
• Place a lamp or flashlight near your bed.
• Install night lights along the route between the bathroom and your bedroom.
• Sleep in a bed that’s high enough to easily enter and exit.
• Keep a telephone near your bed.
• If you have room, place a solid arm chair in your bedroom so you can sit to get dressed.

Living Area

• Remove throw rugs.
• Arrange your furniture to create easy traffic patterns between rooms.
• Sit in chairs with arms and no wheels.
• Place a firm blanket or pillow on low chairs or sofas to make the seat higher. This makes it easier to get up.
• Don’t run wires or extension cords under rugs or runners. This is a fire hazard.
• Remove or tape down any cords or wires.

More Things to Consider

• Have comfortable clothes to wear.
• Schedule haircuts or styling sessions to make you feel more comfortable.
• Arrange for pet care during and after your hospital stay.
• Prepare a space for indoor pets so they can be out of your way while you’re healing and regaining mobility.
• Store pet food in small, manageable containers at easy-to-reach waist level.
• Arrange for someone to get your mail, groceries and take you to appointments.
• Pay your bills.
• Prepare ice packs.
• Refill medications you take on a regular basis to avoid trips to the pharmacy.
• Consider what type of car you’ll go home in and how easily you’ll be able to get in and out of it. You may want to add a pillow or blanket in the car to use for positioning when you come home.
• Move things you might need (medications, magazines, phone, cooking utensils, laundry items) to areas where you can reach them easily.
• Carry a portable phone or cell phone with you at all times.
• Have telephone numbers of people that could help you in case of emergency readily available.
• Make sure adequate lighting is provided in each room (overhead and task lighting) to increase safety.
• Avoid vacuuming, mopping floors, carrying laundry and changing bed linens.

Exercise Videos

Follow these exercises before and after your surgery to help your recovery. Do them daily starting at least three weeks before your surgery and continue after your procedure for as long as your doctor recommends. Before surgery, complete ten repetitions one to two times daily. After surgery, complete ten repetitions one to two times daily. Stop an exercise if it causes you too much pain or if your doctor instructs you differently.