The Charles J. August Joint Replacement Center

On day one after surgery, you can expect to be bathed, dressed, helped out of bed, and seated in a recliner in your room ready for breakfast - all by 7 a.m. Your surgeon and physician’s assistant will pop in to check on you in the morning, and then you’re off to group therapy at 9 a.m. where your physical therapist will show you how to use a walker. Your coach is encouraged to be present as much as possible; and of course visitors are welcome, preferably in the late afternoon or evening until 8 p.m.


 

We will help you get dressed and out of bed the morning of day two. It will be much easier today - we promise. Your schedule will be the same as day one, with group therapy starting at 9a.m. Today your appetite should improve, you will practice getting in and out of bed, and you may even begin walking stairs.

More and more patients are meeting their discharge goals on day two. Your surgeon and the hospital staff will let you know if you will be able to go home today.

 

The morning of day three is much like the first two days. You’ll want to be sure your coach attends your group therapy class today for instructions on continuing therapy outside the Joint Replacement Center. If your physical therapist clears you for discharge, you will go home after the morning group therapy session. Occasionally, people have to stay for the afternoon therapy class and go home after that.

Our staff of physical therapists and social workers will work with you to determine whether you will be able to go home on discharge day or if you’ll need to go to a sub acute rehabilitation facility like our Transitional Care Center or our Acute Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Program at St. Mary's campus. No matter where you go - don’t forget the importance of an exercise plan and follow-up visits.

Upon discharge you will receive written discharge instructions concerning medications, physical therapy, activity, etc. and we will arrange for any equipment needed.

Please stay in touch! We are always happy to answer any follow-up questions or concerns. Email Us.

On day one after surgery, you can expect to be bathed, dressed, helped out of bed, and seated in a recliner in your room ready for breakfast - all by 7 a.m. Your surgeon and physician’s assistant will pop in to check on you in the morning, and then you’re off to group therapy at 9 a.m. where your physical therapist will show you how to use a walker. Then you’ll work with an occupational therapist before lunch and head back to group therapy in the afternoon. Your coach is encouraged to be present as much as possible; and of course visitors are welcome, preferably in the late afternoon or evening until 8 p.m.

 

Now that your surgery is over, the recovery process begins. Our staff of trained professionals will be with you every step of the way.

Immediately following surgery: You will spend one to two hours in a recovery area, where your pain control will be established, vital signs will be monitored, and an X-ray may be taken of your new joint.

Anesthesia: Your anesthesia may cause blurred vision, dry mouth or chills. We will do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible.

Moving to the Unity JRC: Following the recovery area, you will be taken to the Joint Replacement Center where the orthopaedic team will care for you.

Pain management: Most of the discomfort occurs in the first 12 hours following surgery. Please let us know as soon as you begin to feel pain, so we can provide medication.

First steps to recovery:

• You may get out of bed to your recliner today. It is very important that you begin ankle pumps right away. This will help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.
• You should also begin using your Incentive Spirometer. Your Incentive Spirometer is an important "recovery tool" that needs to be used hourly.  You should help you exercise your lungs at least once each hour. Try to do 5-10 inhalations each hour.

Visitors: We recommend that only one or two close family members visit you the day of surgery.

On day one after surgery, you can expect to be bathed, dressed, helped out of bed, and seated in a recliner in your room ready for breakfast - all by 7 a.m. Your surgeon and physician’s assistant will pop in to check on you in the morning, and then you’re off to physical therapy that morning. Then you’ll work with an occupational therapist to help with independence of daily activities and then head back to physical therapy in the afternoon. More and more patients are meeting their discharge goals on day one and you should plan accordingly. Your surgeon and the hospital staff will let you know if you will be able to go home today.


 

We will help you get dressed and out of bed the morning of day two. It will be much easier today - we promise. Your schedule will be the same as day one, with physical therapy in the morning.  Most patients are discharged today.  Your surgeon and the hospital staff will let you know if you will be able to go home today.