Recovering From Joint Replacement

Plan to go home on the day of your surgery or stay one night in the hospital after your total hip replacement or total knee replacement surgery. You can expect to be walking and count on your care team to check in with you often to help you recover comfortably.

Physical Therapy

Expect to begin physical therapy within 24 hours of your surgery. Work with your physical therapist to perform gentle exercises that help you regain your strength, mobility, and range of motion. We’ll also help you walk with a walker. Depending on where you have your joint replacement surgery, you may join other patients for group physical therapy classes, too.

Occupational Therapy

Learn ways to more easily, safely complete daily tasks, such as dressing and bathing, from an occupational therapist.

In most cases, you’ll go directly home after you leave the hospital. Ask a family member or friend to stay with you and help with meal preparation, household chores, errands, and more. If you need more help at home, learn about home health care services.

Home Exercises

To achieve the best outcome from your joint replacement surgery, follow your physical therapy exercise program at home. Depending on your progress, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend outpatient physical therapy.

After reaching your recovery goals, work with your primary care provider and orthopedic surgeon to determine a regular exercise plan that can help you stay well without putting your new joint at risk.

Maintain your health by following your orthopedic surgeon’s recommendations for follow-up appointments. We’ll keep an eye on your replaced joint so we can find any potential problems early and help prevent problems.

When to Call Your Orthopedic Surgery Team

Call your orthopedic surgery team if:

• You have concerns about your surgical dressing or incision.
• You see more drainage or there is a bad smell from the incision.
• Blood fills or leaks outside the dressing.
• Your incision opens anywhere.
• The pain medicine is not helping with the pain.
• You have a temperature of 101° F or higher for at least 24 hours.