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What To Expect
While recovering in the hospital after surgery, our patients follow a standardized care plan that ensures coordinated nursing care, pain management and physical and occupational therapy that helps to progress activity.
Below is an outline of the recovery plan and schedule for our knee or hip replacement patients.
Level 1 — Day of Surgery
Level 2 — Post Surgery
Level 3 — Post Surgery
Level 4 — Day of Discharge
Level 1 — Day of Surgery Expectations
Activity:
Surgery
Transfer from Recovery Room to your room on the orthopedic unit
Use your incentive spirometer every hour
Dangle/sit at the beside with assistance
Complete calk/ankle exercises while in bed
Knee replacement only: Wear your knee immobilizer while in bed
Nursing:
Start eating a diet as tolerated
Vital signs will be taken routinely
Your intake and output will be monitored
Wear your pneumatic stockings to prevent clots
Use your PCA pump for pain management
You may have blood drawn for other lab work/tests
Hip replacement only: Wear your abduction pillow while in bed
Physical Therapy: Start physical therapy if ordered by your physician.
Occupational Therapy: Start occupational therapy today if ordered by your physician.
Discharge Planner: A discharge planner will visit you either today or tomorrow.
Level 2 — Post Surgery Expectations
Activity:
Sit out of bed/in chair for all meals
Walk to the bathroom with assistance as needed
Use your incentive spirometer every hour
Knee replacement only: Wear your knee immobilizer when out of bed
Complete exercises while in bed
Knee replacement only: Use your CPM
Begin LOVENOX® (blood thinner) education
Nursing:
Vital signs will be taken routinely
Your intake and output will be monitored - a catheter may be placed if you are having trouble voiding on your own
Pneumatic stockings will be removed
Hip replacement only: Wear your abduction pillow while in bed
PCA pump for pain management will be discontinued in the morning. (Remember to ask for pain medication if you need it.)
You may have blood drawn for other lab work/tests
Review Patient Education Sheets
Physical Therapy (PT)
You will work on:
- Increasing the range of motion of your hip or knee
- Transfers
- Walking
- Exercises
- Learning to use a walker
Occupational Therapy:
You will work on:
- Transfer on/off the toilet
- Activities of daily living (ADLs) (e.g., bathing, dressing)
- Hip replacement only: Learning to use adaptive equipment
Discharge Planner:
- Evaluation for discharge
- Start coordinating equipment and home health needs
Level 3 — Post Surgery Expectations
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Activity:
- Sit out of bed/in chair for all meals
- Walk to the bathroom with assistance as needed
- Use your incentive spirometer every hour
- Knee replacement only: Wear your knee immobilizer when out of bed
- Complete exercises while in bed
- Knee replacement only: Use your CPM
- Continue LOVENOX® (blood thinner) education
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Nursing
- Your intake and output will be monitored; if you have a catheter, it may be removed
- If you still have IVs, they may be discontinued
- Remember to ask for pain medication 30 minutes prior to your PT/OT sessions and as needed
- Hip replacement only: Wear your abduction pillow while in bed
- You may have blood drawn or other lab work/tests
- Review Patient Education Sheets
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Physical Therapy (PT)
You will work on:
- Increasing the range of motion in your knee or hip
- Tranfers/walking
- Stair training
- Exercises
- Practicing using a walker
- Review home exercise program
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Occupational Therapy
You will work on:
- Transfer on/off the toilet
- Activities of daily living (ADLs) (e.g., bathing, dressing)
- Hip replacement only: Practice using adaptive equipment
- Review strategies for doing ADLs at home
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Discharge Planner
- Review discharge needs
- Discuss equipment ordered and home care services
- Review discharge day procedure
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Level 4 : Discharge Day Expectations
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Activity
- Discharge home
- You will go home once cleared by your physician
- Goal is to be picked up by 11 a.m
- Hip replacement only: Wear your abduction pillow while in bed
- You will be transported downstairs by wheelchair
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Nursing
- Medicate for pain as needed
- REVIEW PATIENT DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
- Precautions
- Medications, pain medication
- Activity
- Care of surgical site
- Anti-coagulation/LOVENOX®
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Physical Therapy (PT)
You will work on:
- Increasing the range of motion of your hip or knee
- Transfers/walking
- Stair training
- Exercises
- Review home exercise program
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Occupational Therapy
You will work on:
- Transfer on/off the toilet
- Activities of daily living (ADLs) (e.g., bathing, dressing)
- Hip replacement only: Practicing using adaptive equipment
- Review strategies for completing ADLs at home
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Discharge Planner
- Review discharge needs
- Confirm equipment
- Review home care services for RN and/or PT/OT
- Review discharge day procedure
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