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Your Hospital Stay
Preparing for Surgery |
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Fact Sheets from the AAOS |
What to Expect Before Surgery
- You’ll probably be admitted to the hospital on the day of your surgery.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding food and drink before surgery. Anesthesia is much safer on an empty stomach.
- A member of the anesthesia team may discuss your anesthesia options with you at admission.
- While the surgery only takes a few hours, you spend several hours being monitored after surgery as you recover from anesthesia.
What to Expect After Surgery
- You’ll stay in the hospital a few days after surgery.
- You should expect some pain and discomfort after surgery, but medications will be available to help make you comfortable.
- You’ll be asked to breathe deeply and cough frequently to avoid lung congestion.
- Most people can stand and walk with a walker the day after surgery. A physical therapist can teach you specific exercises to strengthen muscles and restore movement.
- You may be asked to wear special support hose, inflatable leg coverings or take medications to lower your risk of developing blood clots, the most common complication from knee or hip replacement surgery.
- A physical therapist or nurse should teach you the best way to get out of bed, use the bathroom, shower, dress and climb stairs.
- By the time you leave the hospital, you should be able to walk independently using crutches or another walking aid.
This information was adapted from The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Osteoarthritis and the free Arthritis Foundation brochure Surgery & Arthritis: What You Need to Know. Both can be ordered from the Arthritis Store.
© Copyright 2008, Arthritis Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
