When you arrive on the day of surgery.
First Stop, Patient Admissions – You will check-in at Patient Admissions and be given some forms to complete and sign.
These forms may include:
- Consent form for hospital admission and medical treatment
- Financial form
- Insurance verification
- Patient rights and privacy statement
During your check-in, you will receive a hospital ID bracelet. The bracelet will include your name, room number, health history, and doctor’s name. Any drug allergies you may have will also be noted, either on your ID bracelet or on a separate “allergy alert” bracelet.
After you check-in, you will go to a presurgery area where final preparations are made before you are taken into surgery.
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Hospital Tips:
 Before giving you any medicine, drawing blood, or taking you for tests or X-rays, make sure your healthcare team always checks your ID bracelet(s) to verify your name/allergies.
Be an active participant in your hospital care. Patients taking an active role in their own care often have better results. Ask questions about what to expect before taking medications, having treatments, or undergoing diagnostic procedures.
You can help prevent hospital infections. Wash your hands carefully after touching any soiled material or going to the bathroom. Keep your sanitizing wipes/gel handy. Ask your friends and visitors to wash their hands when they visit. |
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After the operation – the first 24 hours
What to expect in the recovery room –
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Hospital Tip:
Remember, you are the best judge of knowing what may not feel right to you, including soreness or redness at your IV (intravenous site), wetness or bleeding at your bandages, skin irritation, or just about anything else that doesn’t feel right! Be sure to tell your doctor, nurse, or other provider right away |
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Your hospital stay – from 24-36 hours
After surgery you will be taken from recovery to your hospital room, where your healthcare team will continue to monitor your progress. Most patients will feel sleepy and fatigued immediately following surgery.
A few things you should be aware of:
- Until you are able to use the bathroom, a tube may be used to collect your urine
- Another tube may be used to drain fluid the new joint area
- An IV line will deliver fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication as needed
- A pressure pump or elastic stockings may be applied to stimulate the muscle movement and keep the blood flowing which helps to prevent blood clots
- Your surgeon may order a continuous passive motion machine that will slowly move your knee to prevent stiffness while you are in bed at the hospital
Your hospital stay – the next few days
Pain is also a normal part of the healing process after surgery. During your recovery you can expect to be given enough pain medication, as needed, to keep you comfortable.
Your stomach may be upset after surgery. If so, you should inform a nurse immediately so that you can be given medicine to relieve the nausea.
You may experience an elevated temperature after surgery. Again this is normal and not a cause for alarm. You doctor may suggest acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol), deep breathing exercises, and spending more time out of bed moving around.
It is also very important that you keep your lungs clear of congestion. You will get instructions about deep breathing, coughing frequently, and using a device called an incentive spirometer to help your lungs stay clear.
Equally important is moving your bowels shortly after surgery. If you are having a problem, even if you have not been eating, do not hesitate to ask for a laxative or a glass prune juice.
Once you are cleared to receive solid foods, it is very important to eat your meals – remember food is fuel!
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Hospital Tip:
Ask to have your prune juice warmed in the Microwave. It tastes good when warm, and it should do the trick to relieve any constipation! |
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Your hospital stay – the rest of the story
Most people can stand and walk with a walker the day after surgery. Within a few days you can usually walk freely around the hospital. A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to strengthen muscles and restore movement.
You may be asked to wear special support hose, or inflatable leg coverings (compression boots), or take medication to lower your risk of developing blood clots (blood thinners), the most common complication from knee or hip replacement surgery.
You should be able to fully bear weight on your leg when released from the hospital, but most patients may need to use crutches, a cane, or a walker, for a
few weeks until they are comfortable walking on their new joint.
Feeling recovered – almost there
Most patients are able to leave the hospital in 3-4 days. For a successful recovery, it is essential that you follow your surgeon’s instructions, while you are in the hospital, as well as when you get home.
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Hospital Tip:
Unless your nurse, therapist, or doctor has approved it, don’t try to get in or out of bed without help. You may feel dizzy or weak, so take your time and be sure to wear non-skid slippers whenever you walk. |
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At Discharge
You usually receive a lot of instructions just prir to leaving. The nurse will give you the highlights in writing, but it is hard to remember everything.
Always try to ask questions if you don't understand these instructions.
Have a family member, or friend, present to help recall what was said. Take notes, and specifically find out:
- What your treatment plans are
- When to see the doctor again
- If you can arrange for physical therapy before you leave the hospital
- Dates and times if home nurses or therapists are coming to you
- What to do about bandages, and if and when you should change them
- When is bathing permitted, and how to cover your bandages if needed
- When it is ok to be alone in the house
- When you can drive
SOME ADDITIONAL SAFETY TIPS AFTER SURGERY:
Help to avoid medication errors – know what medicines you are getting:
- Be able to identify the pills before swallowing.
- Your regular medications may have a different color or shape in the hospital.
- Do not take pills from home. They may duplicate the medications you are getting, or conflict with them. Tell your physician if you are not getting your regular pills.
Prevent falls:
- Surgery and post-operative medicines can make the best athlete weak and unsteady.
- Serious falls can occur when patients try to be independent against instructions.
Some medicines and extra IV fluids may cause you to empty your bladder frequently. Do not be embarrassed to ask for help. Do it early, before it is urgent. Allow time for busy staff to get there.
Wheel chairs should be securely locked before getting in and out.
Know your treatment plans. It may help to arrange pain medication prior to physical therapy.
Discourage visits from adults or children with colds or the flu, at the hospital or at home.
If staff moves your bedside table or rolling stand, ask them to put it back before leaving. Otherwise your water, personal articles, phone, or even call button may be out of reach.
Food servers should not just leave the tray, but help set it up to be reachable.
If equipment in your room starts to ding or buzz this should not alarm you. It is usually something simple like your IV indicating to the nurse that it is time for a refill.
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