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The First 48 hours at Home
No matter how much you prepared for your homecoming, it will be an adjustment. You will likely experience anxiety and question whether you were discharged too early. This is a normal feeling, so relax and focus on your recovery. Expect a call from the Specialty Care Coordinator. This is your opportunity to report any problems and ask any questions. Also expect a visit from the physical therapist or occupational therapist within 48 hours of discharge.
Activity
• Continue your exercise program and increase activity gradually; your goal is to regain strength and function.
• Follow all therapy instructions.
• Resume activity as you gain strength and confidence.
• For total knee replacement, swelling of the knee or leg is common with an abrupt increase in activity. If this occurs, elevate the leg above the level of your heart (place pillows under the calf, not behind the knee joint), and apply ice directly to the knee. You may continue with elevation and icing as needed to help decrease swelling and discomfort.
• Continued exercise at this early stage is important to achieve the best outcome with your new joint replacement. Based on your needs, your therapy may be continued at home or in an outpatient setting of your choice. You will be given an exercise program to continue exercising at home.
Do not sit for longer than 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Use chairs with arms. You may nap if you are tired, but do not stay in bed all day. Frequent, short walks—either indoors or outdoors— are the key to a successful recovery.
You may experience discomfort in your operated hip or knee, and you may have difficulty sleeping at night. This is part of the recovery process. Getting up and moving around relieves some of the discomfort.
You should climb stairs with support. Climb one step at a time – “good” leg up - “bad” leg down.
Hold on to a railing, if available.
You may be a passenger in a car, but you should sit on a firm cushion or folded blanket to avoid sitting too low. See the instructions at the end of this guide for specific information for getting in and out of the car. You may not drive before your first post-op visit. The decision to resume driving your vehicle is made by your surgeon.
Lifting
Do not lift anything heavy after surgery. Avoid lifting objects in a position where you need to squat or bend. Avoid climbing ladders. Your surgeon will let you know when it is OK to lift heavy objects.
Weeks 1 to 6 at Home
Our health team members are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You or a family member can call and receive answers to general questions as well as instructions in the event of an emergency. Do not hesitate to call your surgeon’s office regardless of the issue. During the first six weeks after discharge, you should be making progress week by week. Most patients are eager to report their progress at follow-up visits and are ready to move to the next level in their recovery. Most patients can accomplish the following during the first six weeks after total joint replacement:
• Walk without help on a level surface with the use of walker, crutches, or cane as appropriate.
• Climb stairs as tolerated.
• Get in and out of bed without help.
• Get in and out of a chair or car without help.
• Shower using a tub bench once staples are removed – as long as there are no issues with the incision.
• Resume your activities of daily living including cooking, light chores, walking, and going outside the home. You should certainly be awake and moving around most of the day.
• Some patients return to work before the first follow-up visit. This is approved on an individual basis and should be discussed with your surgeon.
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