4 Joint Replacement

Prepare for surgery and home

Before surgery, review all prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements with the surgical team. Medication instructions depend on the medicines and the patient's health, so follow the individualized plan rather than independently stopping or continuing medicines such as anticoagulants.

Make the home safer

Reduce fall risks by removing loose rugs and cords from walking paths and keeping frequently used items within easy reach. Keep a walker or other prescribed aid accessible. Depending on the patient's needs, a raised toilet seat, shower grab bars, or a shower chair may also be useful.

Move safely during recovery

When permitted by the surgeon and physical therapist, early, assisted mobilization is generally encouraged. Activity and weight-bearing instructions depend on the operation and the patient's condition. Use walking aids as directed, and do not discontinue them or change activity progression without guidance from the care team.

Follow rehabilitation instructions

Follow the prescribed rehabilitation exercise plan. If swelling occurs after an exercise session, continue the prescribed exercises and use the swelling-management measures recommended by the care team; instructions may include elevation and ice. Follow clinical advice about positioning and medication rather than changing treatment independently or taking more medicine than prescribed.

Follow individualized hip precautions

After hip replacement, restrictions are not necessarily the same for everyone. Follow the surgeon's and rehabilitation team's specific movement and weight-bearing instructions, including which movements or activities to avoid, if any, and for how long. New or sudden pain, difficulty moving the hip, or a feeling that it has slipped out of position warrants prompt contact with the surgeon.

Recognize possible infection

Contact the surgical team promptly about increasing redness, warmth, pain, swelling, or drainage at the incision, including pus or worsening drainage, and about fever or feeling hot, cold, or shivery. Some soreness and bruising may occur during recovery, but symptoms that worsen or do not improve need clinical advice.

Respond to possible blood clots

New calf pain or swelling in one leg after joint replacement may indicate deep-vein thrombosis and needs prompt assessment by the surgical team. Do not massage the calf to treat a suspected clot, stop prescribed blood-thinning medicine, or attempt to manage the problem without medical assessment.

Get emergency help for chest or breathing symptoms

Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain may signal a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening complication. Call emergency services immediately.

Report changes in the foot

A foot on the operated side that becomes unusually cool or darker than the other foot may indicate impaired circulation. Report this promptly, along with new changes in sensation or movement.

Use the recovery plan and report changes

Follow the exercise plan, use walking aids as directed, and take medication only as prescribed. The care team guides progression of activity and when to discontinue an aid. Report possible infection, new calf pain or swelling, sudden worsening pain, or changes in foot color, temperature, sensation, or movement promptly; sudden chest pain or breathing difficulty is an emergency.

• Neurovascular warning sign