Your Joint Replacement Surgery Experience

Joint replacement surgery day is a busy one. Just a few hours after surgery, most patients are up and moving around. As the joint team carefully monitors your recovery, you’re readied to begin group physical therapy with the other members of your joint class. As always, your total joint coordinator will be close by to answer any questions or to lend a hand.

Here’s what you can expect on surgery day:

Arrival

• You will arrive at your designated time.
• Your first mate can be close by for most of your stay (including overnight).

Check-In

• You will check in at the surgical lobby desk.
• Your nurse will help you prepare for surgery, review your planned procedure and allergies, and place you on several monitors.
• When you head to the pre-op area, your first mate can join family members waiting in the surgical lobby.

Pre-Op and Surgery

• You’ll be examined by your anesthesia care team, who will discuss your medical history with you and determine the appropriate anesthesia for your procedure.
• When you arrive in the OR, you’ll receive anesthesia, and, when you’re comfortably asleep, other pre-surgical preparations will begin.
• Anesthesia and nursing teams will assist in your care throughout your surgery.
• Family members will receive a tracking number to monitor your progress throughout your procedure, and OR nurses will update them as necessary.
• After surgery, you’ll be transported to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and your surgeon will contact your waiting family members.

Post-Anesthesia Care

• A specially trained nurse will care for you during your time in the PACU.
• Your nurse will stay close to your bedside and will ask you frequently to move your legs and feet, cough, and take deep breaths.
• Your surgical site and pain will be carefully monitored.

It won't be long before you begin the recovery process and are on your way back to daily life.