Orthopedic Patient Education

How Do I Prepare for a Knee or Hip Replacement Surgery?

Here are some tips that can help you prepare for your scheduled knee or hip replacement surgery:

• Ask your doctor or care team as many questions as possible about your surgery (e.g., hospital admission process, prosthetics or implant options, recovery timeline, medications, what to avoid, rehabilitation, physical therapy options, etc.)
• Prepare all the documents you need to bring on your surgery date, such as your health insurance card, valid ID, medical records, etc.
• Ask someone to drive you to the hospital and pick you up once you’re ready to go home
• Prepare your home for life after surgery (e.g., move objects that may cause you to trip, put items you may need in places you can reach easily, consider adding temporary safety rails in your bathroom or fall-prone areas, etc.)
• Ask for help from family or friends or hire someone to assist you with household chores, doing errands, etc.
• Avoid certain medications as advised by your doctor

Good Samaritan Medical Center offers this Patient Guide which includes information about preparing your home, what to expect from pre-surgery through discharge and even what to expect at home after your surgery.

Download Patient Guide

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center provides personalized, one-on-one pre-operative education to all candidates for elective joint replacement and their families and/or support persons to help ease their anxieties and prepare them for what to expect before and after their surgery.

Topics discussed include:

• Preparation before surgery
  • Keeping the home environment safe to prevent tripping and falling
  • Durable medical Equipment (DME) needed
  • Designating a support person
  • Arranging transportation upon discharge
• What to expect
  • Hospital stay
  • Treatment
  • Equipment and devices that may be used
• Rehabilitation services
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
• Discharge Planning
• After hospital care to prevent complications

At Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, it is our goal to assist our patients achieve a successful recovery, helping them get back to doing the things they love!

What to Expect After Knee or Hip Surgery

Here are some times to help manage your expectations and give you more information about taking care of your “new” knee.

Hospital Stay and Discharge

You may stay at the hospital for one to four days, depending on the nature of your surgery (e.g., total replacement or partial replacement, minimally invasive or traditional). The length of your stay may also depend on the speed of your recovery. Your doctor may declare your discharge once you accomplish the following:

• Get in and out of bed on your own
• Eat, drink and use the bathroom
• Experience tolerable levels of pain
• Perform recommended home exercises
• Understand precautions advised for proper healing and to prevent injuries
• Walk with an assistive device if prescribed any (e.g., cane, crutch or walker) and be able to climb up and down two to three stairs

Recovering After Surgery

You may need assistance at home for several days to a few weeks while recovering. If you don’t have a family member or a friend who can be with you upon discharge, we recommend hiring a caregiver or a physical therapist.

Wound Care

Here are some guidelines that can help you take care of your surgical wound and prevent infection:

• Change the wound dressing as often as directed by the orthopedic doctor. Follow the instructions given, and keep the wound clean and dry at all times.
• Ask your doctor when you can take a bath. You may need to wait for a few days after the surgery.

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience warning signs of infection, which may include:

• Chills
• Drainage of the wound
• Fever
• Increased pain when moving and at rest
• Increased redness, swelling or tenderness of the wound

Medication, Supplements and Diet

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics (to prevent infection), opioid and non-opioid pain killers, anti-nausea medications, stool softeners and oral or injectable blood thinners. Please take each of your medicines as prescribed.

Your provider may recommend supplements or foods that are rich in iron or vitamin K. It is also best that you maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting additional stress on your joints.

Resuming Physical Activities

Your doctor may recommend home exercises that can help you gradually get back to doing your normal activities. Here’s a list of the most common physical activities and when you may be able to do them safely.

West Boca Medical Center's 3-step guide to Joint Replacement will help you appropriately plan your activities before and after your surgery. Our 3-step guide encompasses a comprehensive plan of care with information about preparing your home, what to expect from pre-surgery through discharge and even what to expect at home after your surgery.

Our resources include personalized pre-operative education to all candidates for elective joint replacement and their families and/or support persons to help ease their anxieties and prepare them for what to expect before and after their surgery.

Our goal is to involve you in the process every step of the way. The guide will be provided once your surgery is scheduled and will help you appropriately plan your activities before, during and after your surgery.

Topics discussed include:

Preparation before surgery

• Home recommendations: keeping the home environment safe
• Nutrition therapy
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME) needed
• Designating a support person
• Arranging services upon discharge

What to expect

• Hospital stay
• Comprehensive treatment plan 
• Equipment and devices that may be used
• Bedside medication delivery

Rehabilitation services

• Physical Therapy 1:1 pre-operative evaluation
• Occupational Therapy: individualized home exercise program

Discharge Planning

• After hospital care to prevent complications

Thank you for choosing West Boca Medical Center. Be assured that we will do our best to earn your confidence and pave the way to your successful recovery. Our commitment to quality and safety motivates us. Our state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated and skilled surgical team enable us to keep that promise to you.

At West Boca Medical Center, it is our goal to assist our patients achieve a successful recovery, helping them return to a healthier, more active lifestyle!