Nurse navigator: Our nurse navigator will be your main resource and support throughout your journey. We know that having any procedure can produce questions - it’s nice to know someone is there to listen and give you answers. If you have questions before making a decision about surgery, you can contact our navigator at 708-213-2663.
Free joint “camp” class: Research has shown that people who know what to expect before surgery do significantly better after surgery. This specialized class teaches you what to anticipate from start to finish. If you or your family members have questions, we have answers. You'll be guided through the joint replacement process – from presurgical testing and preparation to rehabilitation exercises to expectations after discharge from the program. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the unit where your recovery starts and meet some of our staff members.
Day of surgery: After check-in, you'll be escorted to the presurgical area and meet with your surgeon.
Prepare your home
Before you come to the hospital for your procedure, take the following steps to get your home ready for your return:
- Remove clutter and throw rugs. Remove or tape down any cords/wires. Know where flooring is uneven.
- Have all areas of the home well lit (consider night lights in bathrooms and bedrooms).
- Widen pathways so you can move through your home with an assistive device, such as a walker or crutches.
- Add railings to stairs if you don’t have any.Consider installing grab bars in the bathroom for assistance standing.
- Move things you use often to areas where you can reach them easily.
- Prepare meals and freeze them to simplify cooking.
- Arrange for help with shopping and transportation.
After your surgery
Here's what you can expect following your orthopedic surgery:
Physical therapy and rehab: This processstarts the day your surgery is completed.
Discharge: You'll be discharged to your home, to our hospital skilled care unit or an extended care facility. Any of these options will assist you in your recovery and will be arranged by our staff prior to your discharge.
Follow-up: After you leave, you have the option of calling our nurse navigator at any time to ask a question. Some former patients even like to call to check-in and let us know how well they're doing.
Discharge planning
Your doctor will talk to you about your discharge plans before your surgery. Most people return home shortly after orthopedic surgery. While at home, you’ll continue physical and occupational therapy. You may also need additional nursing care.
If you need more comprehensive care, it may be necessary to go to:
- A skilled nursing facility where nursing and therapy services are provided
- An inpatient rehabilitation facility where frequent doctor/medical care, nursing and therapy services are provided
Your nurse navigator will assist you with arrangements for ongoing care as needed, including:
Caring for yourself
When you get home from the hospital, you need to be prepared to take care of yourself. Before your surgery, plan ahead to ensure that your recovery goes smoothly at home by following these tips:
- Ask a family member, significant other or friend to help you at home the first day or two. You should not be at home alone the first night after your surgery.
- Arrange for child care if you have young children. You should not plan on caring for them alone the first day after you return home.
- Your surgeon will give you instructions about the activity level you should maintain at home.
- Generally, you may be up and about if you are comfortable. Avoid strenuous activity (pushing or pulling heavy objects).
- You can go up and down stairs, depending on how well you have done with stairs during therapy.
- Follow your exercise instructions.
- Sit in chairs that provide adequate support and have arms that you can use to help yourself stand up.
- Don’t cross your legs when you sit or stand.
- Ask for help putting on shoes and socks.
- Continue wearing your elastic TED hose as your surgeon instructs. Remember to remove your TED hose every day.
- You may bathe or shower as your surgeon instructs.
- Do not drive, until your physician gives you the OK.
- Keep your incision clean and dry. Change your dressing as instructed (if you have one).
- Get plenty of rest.
- If you have a nerve block, a home health nurse will remove the tube after you go home.
Notify your surgeon if you have:
- Redness and/or swelling at the incision site
- Drainage from the surgical incision
- Pain in the calf of your leg or increased swelling in your leg
- A fever greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pain that is not controlled by your medication
Other reminders:
- Remember that your new joint may set off metal detectors in airports and other places.
- Let your doctor or dentist know before you have other procedures or surgery done. You may need antibiotics before these procedures to help prevent infection.