If you’re like many, simply deciding to have a hip or knee replacement may feel like an accomplishment in itself. As you prepare for surgery, you can take many additional steps to help ensure a quicker and smoother road to recovery.
“It’s worth it to invest some time and effort in preparing for your joint replacement,” says Amanda Ujazdowski, an Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant with ThedaCare Orthopedic Care. “Our teams are here for you throughout your surgery experience to help ensure the best possible outcome.”
7 Steps to a Smoother Surgery
Prior to surgery, you’ll want to make positive lifestyle choices, keep exercising and prepare for your recovery.
1. Complete surgery optimization
Plan to attend any needed pre-surgery appointments and physicals. Our ThedaCare Surgery Optimization & Coordination Center will work with you as you prepare to undergo surgery. The comprehensive program helps ensure you’re well-prepared for your procedure and recovery.
After a referral from your surgeon’s office, you’ll work with an optimization provider and registered nurse to help you prepare for surgery. Optimization plans are based on each individual’s unique needs. Your ThedaCare Orthopedic Care team will establish a discharge and recovery plan with your optimization care manager.
2. Keep moving and strengthening
It’s important to stay active as your surgery approaches. Doing so can help improve and hasten your recovery.
Hip and knee pain can make it difficult to exercise. If that’s the case for you, consider joint-friendly options such as water workouts, stationary bikes and rowing machines.
“You’ll also want to strengthen the muscles around the joint you’re having replaced,” Ujazdowski says. “Your care team can recommend exercises specific to your hip or knee replacement. You’ll also meet with a physical therapist prior to surgery.”
3. Manage pain and inflammation
Continue to manage pain and inflammation before your surgery. Your care team will discuss with you how to do so and how soon before your surgery you’ll need to stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin. They’ll also advise when you should stop taking any supplements and blood thinners that you may take.
In addition to medications, measures such as ice and elevation can help relieve pain and inflammation. Resting the joint and using an assistive device can help as well.
4. Address dental work
Schedule any needed dental work well in advance of your surgery. Dental procedures may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream and cause an infection that could travel to your artificial joint.
Following surgery, your orthopedic care team will prescribe and manage prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics that you’ll need to take prior to dental procedures, Ujazdowski says.
5. Plan for lifestyle changes
If you smoke or use other tobacco products, work with your health care team to develop a plan to quit. Your surgery site needs a good blood supply to heal well. Nicotine limits blood flow and makes it harder for your body to heal after surgery.
Eat a healthy diet. Focus on protein, and incorporate whole grains and fruits and veggies. You can get protein from both meat sources and non-meat sources such as eggs, beans and tofu.
If you have overweight or obesity, talk with your health care team about steps you can take to manage your weight. ThedaCare Weight Wellness Solutions offers a range of treatments designed to help people attain sustainable weight loss.
“Weight loss is essential to reducing risks before, during and after total joint replacement,” Ujazdowski says. “This will help lead to optimal recovery from your joint replacement and increase the longevity of your joint replacement.”
6. Prep for your homecoming
Ready your living space prior to your surgery. Consider the following:
- Remove or address obstacles and trip hazards such as loose carpets and cords.
- Rearrange furniture if necessary to ensure your home is easy to navigate.
- Have a firm bed that’s low enough so that your feet touch the floor when you sit on the edge. Set up your bed on the first floor if you can.
- Ensure you have a bathroom or a portable commode on the same floor where you will spend most of your day. Helpful bathroom additions include a raised toilet seat and grab bars for around the toilet and shower.
- Consider purchasing accessibility aids such as a shower sponge with a long handle, a shoe horn with a long handle, a sock aid, and a reacher/grabber tool to help you pick up items from the floor, put on your pants and take off your socks.
- Place commonly used items within easy reach so you can avoid getting on your tiptoes or bending down low.
- Place a chair with a firm back in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and other rooms you will use. This way, you can sit while doing your daily tasks.
- If you’ll be using a walker, attach a sturdy bag or a small basket that can hold commonly used items. You can also use a fanny pack.
- Plan for easy meals. Make or buy single meals that can be frozen and reheated.
7. Secure support
Identify who will accompany you on the day of your surgery. If you live alone, arrange for someone to stay with you for at least the first week following your surgery. You’ll also want the emotional support of friends and loved ones as you recover.
Strong for Surgery
With a plan in place, you can approach your surgery with confidence.
“We know facing a hip or knee replacement can feel daunting,” Ujazdowski says. “We find that the more prepared people are before surgery, the better they’ll do after their procedure.”
