Most often, you will get up out of bed the day after surgery. This may be difficult and painful, but necessary to help prevent complications that can occur when you are immobile. The nurses, physical therapists, and pain medication will help make getting out of bed more comfortable.

Exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the new joint will usually begin the day after a joint replacement surgery.  Physical therapy is required to teach you which exercises to perform and if there are any movements that need to be avoided.  These exercises will be painful, but need to be started in order to facilitate quick healing and good joint function.  Taking pain medication prior to Physical Therapy will help decrease discomfort during these necessary exercises.  The patient will begin with just a few basic exercises and as the muscles strengthen, more exercises will be added to the regime. 

Patients usually go home within 3 to 6 days after joint replacement surgery.  If an elderly person does not have help at home, he or she may need to go to an extended care facility until able to function independently. 

Exercises need to be continued to ensure good recovery.  The patient will need to observe the surgical incision for any signs of infection, such as redness, puffiness, or drainage.  The physician should be notified if these occur, as well as if the patient develops a fever.  If dressings need to be changed, the patient must keep them clean and dry and review the process with the nurse before leaving the hospital. 

The safety of the home will need to be assessed.  Such things as throw rugs or electrical cords would be potentially dangerous for someone with limited mobility.  Stairs and bathtubs need to be assessed to ensure the patient can safely maneuver them. 

Occasionally, adaptive equipment may be necessary at home.  For example, an elevated toilet seat may be needed after a total hip replacement or “grabbers” to help retrieve dropped items without bending over.  An Occupational Therapist should visit the patient’s home to ensure safety and proper use of any equipment needed. 

The patient may need to continue visits to Physical Therapy for weeks or months, depending on the type of surgery and rate of recovery.  As the patient gets stronger and the new joint becomes more stable, Physical Therapy will no longer be necessary.

High-impact activities, such as jogging or tennis, may cause the implant to come loose.  The physician will inform the patient what activities are permitted and those that should be avoided.  Usually, the patient will experience improved mobility and decreased pain within days to weeks following joint replacement surgery. 

It is important to remember that in many instances, you will need to take antibiotics prior to any procedure, even cleaning your teeth, to prevent infection from settling into the new prosthetic joint.