Preparing Yourself for Joint Replacement Surgery

Checklist before You Come to hospital:

• Attend ‘Get Fit For Surgery’ Education session

 

Arrange for somebody to pick you up on discharge (before you come into hospital.) Discharge Time is 10am.
 
Name:    __________________
 
Contact: __________________

 

Arrange for somebody to assist with duties and check on you on your return home

 

Somebody to drive you for physiotherapy appointments if you have had a Total Knee Replacement

 

Made house safe for return

 

Cooked food

 

Shopping

 

Somebody to help with my yard work

Stock up on essentials – For example – toilet paper

Physically Preparing Yourself

Exercises

Please consult your Doctor Prior to Commencing A new Exercise Program

Part of the preparation for joint replacement surgery involves attending weekly physiotherapy classes.  It is important that you attend as many of these sessions as possible as they will provide you with an opportunity to practice:

 

• exercises that will help increase your fitness
• exercises that you will be requested to do after your operation
• using crutches

There are several options available to exercise prior to your surgery

• The hospital runs a four week program of light exercise for any patient having a knee or hip replacement – (free of charge)
• Physiotherapy – you can ask your local doctor to refer you to a physiotherapist for assessment
• Hydrotherapy – Water exercise

 

• Exercise with no jarring on the joints
• Properties of water gives you buoyancy which supports the weight of your body to decrease the strain on your hip / knee.  The warm water assists in warming up the muscles
• Relaxation from the warm water

 

• Regular low impact exercise such as swimming or walking

Always find a comfortable balance between exercises and rest

You will get the most out of your exercises when you are:

• least tired
• when your pain medications are working
• have the least amount of pain
• feel the least stiffest

Your Skin

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL to avoid any damage to your skin before your operation. It is important that your skin is intact and free of scratches and cuts before your operation.  If the skin on your operated leg does have a scratch or sore (such as pimple or a boil), your operation may be cancelled, due to risk of infection.  If you are concerned about a sore on your leg, contact:

• Your GP or surgeon, if you notice it before you come into hospital
• A member of staff on the ward, if you notice once you are in hospital.

Preparing Your Home before Surgery

The following are some suggestions to make your house safer for your return:

Two Storey House

• make room or move bedroom downstairs for a couple of weeks after your operation

Stock up on essentials

• toilet paper
• food – you may want to prepare some meals (before your hospital stay) and freeze them to enjoy when you go home.

Chair

• Have a chair of reasonable height and with armrests.

Kitchen

• Rearrange furniture to give you more room and allow you to maneuver with crutches or a walker
• Store commonly used items at waist level to avoid excessive bending or stretching
• Remove any rugs or mats within the kitchen
• If you live alone prepare meals that can be frozen so when you return to your home you have light meals available.
• Organise fridge – easy to reach
• Buy bendable straws to assist with drinking
• Place nightlights in areas you may need lighting in the evening hours

Living or Lounge Room

• Rearrange furniture to give you more room and allow you to maneuver with crutches or a walker

• Remove rugs or  mats

• Have a comfortable chair

 (of reasonable height) with armrests available

• Adequate  lighting

• Allow for plenty of room for walking around the room REMEMBERING you will be going home with walking aids so will need extra room.

• Place nightlights in areas you may need lighting in the evening hours

BEDROOM

• Rearrange furniture to give you more room and allow you to maneuver with crutches or a walker

• remove rugs or mats

• allow for lighting at night (toileting)

• Allow for more space at the side of your bed to be able to easily get in and out of.

• Keep walking aids close by bed

• Move frequently used items to the top drawers – to allow for easier accessibility

• Place nightlights in areas you may need lighting in the evening hours

BATHROOM

• Leave light on at night

• Ideal – non slip mats

• Occupational Therapist will discuss your bathroom facilities  with you on admission

• Place nightlights in areas you may need lighting in the evening hours

STAIRS

• adequate lighting

• rails

• Place nightlights in areas you may need lighting in the evening hours