How to Prepare for Joint Replacement Surgery

Before Joint SurgeryIf you work, arrange time off with your employer. This could mean talking to your colleagues about covering for you or rearranging deadlines so that your projects keep moving forward, or pause without any issues.

Before Joint SurgeryYou’ll also want to ask about your company’s policies for short term disability. If your surgery prevents you from doing your job, you may want to ask your employer in advance about transitioning you to a role that will be easier on your new joint when you return.

Before Joint SurgeryEnlisting family members and friends to take care of things at home will help give you peace of mind. Line up care for children, a dog walker if you have pets and someone to bring in your mail for a few days.

Going Home After SurgeryMake sure you have someone ready to pick you up after surgery—and think about what kind of car that person drives. Your friend with the sporty-two door or the SUV that requires a lift to get in may not be the best choice if you have a new hip.

Going Home After SurgeryDepending on the kind of surgery you have had and your living situation, your needs will vary. If you cannot handle stairs, make sure you prepare a place to sleep on the first floor. If you live alone and will need assistance bathing and getting around, ask what in-home care services and equipment are available

Going Home After SurgeryIf you will not be able to raise your arm above your head, make sure to keep anything you’ll need easily accessible. That means dishes, keys, napkins, etc. The TV remote trapped on the upper shelf would make for a really lousy recovery day.

Going Home After SurgeryDepending on the kind of surgery you had, you may have to go to physical therapy—or have a therapist visit you at home— multiple times a week. For some people, this feels intrusive, painful and time-consuming. But, the point of having surgery was to feel better. Commit to the process, and you will start to see results.

Long-Term Lifestyle ChangesDepending on your injury and lifestyle, you may have to exercise way more or way less than you used to. You have to commit to the routine determined by your medical team. You’ll also have to be careful not to go too far too fast or move too little.

Long-Term Lifestyle ChangesIf your new joint is weight-bearing (a knee or hip, for example), your doctor may suggest that you lose weight to relieve pressure on the joint. It could be harder to exercise, if you can’t work out like you once did because of the surgery. This may mean changing how you eat. Talk with your medical team’s nutrition expert about losing weight in a healthy way.