Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics follows an outcome-based approach to join replacement. Our physicians follow each patient’s results and study the data to identify ways to keep improving our already high success and outcomes. Planning for your recovery from an orthopedic surgical procedure, such as joint replacement, will provide a smoother experience and improved outcome. From advanced planning for medications and medical equipment to caregivers and meals, follow these easy and practical tips before surgery to be even better set up for postoperative success.
Your choice to reach joint replacement has likely come after experiencing long-term joint pain. After seeking a consultation from a joint specialist, you recognize the benefits of joint replacement to improve your quality of life. Take time to understand the surgical procedure, anesthesia and post-op care, as well as physical therapy and recovery expectations
Your physician has provided you a list of durable medical equipment and cryotherapy items that you will need to assist in your recovery. Forté offers many of these items in our DME store or items can be found online, at a local pharmacy or medical home supply store. Purchasing these items before your surgery will allow you to be fully prepared upon returning home from your procedure.
To provide a safe recovery at home, take preventative measures such as removing throw rugs which could slip and cause a fall risk, installing grab bars in your shower/tub to assist in bathing needs and keeping pathways clear of items and pets. Have items you use daily in easy to reach areas and have an easy-to-access area devoted to your medical equipment.
Plan for a driver to transport you to and from the hospital the day of surgery as well your outpatient physical therapy and doctor’s appointments for the first three to four weeks post-op. You might also arrange for a person/caregiver to stay two to five nights after surgery. It is a good idea to schedule assistance with meals, laundry, house, pet and yard care assistance for a few weeks. Having help planned for these tasks will allow you to better focus on your recovery and healing.
A few hours after surgery, an inpatient physical therapist will come to your room to teach you gentle exercises. For example, with a knee replacement, these exercises will promote leg circulation to reduce blood clot risk and reduce postoperative swelling and pain. This would include walking with a walker and learning how to safely walk up and down a short set of stairs.
Once home, a home health physical therapist will visit you two to three times a week for up to two weeks, depending on your surgeon’s recommendation. The physical therapy exercises during these visits will work with you to regain motion and stability of the affected joint. Mobility will be addressed with specific range of motions exercises. For example, with a hip or knee replacement, the therapist will teach you normal walking patterns and how to safely ambulate steps.
When the at-home therapy is completed, you will move to outpatient physical therapy. The length of this therapy will be dependent upon your ability to successfully restore functional joint motion as well as increased strength and balance to safely return to daily living and activities. Your surgeon or therapist will guide you on returning to low to high impact exercise, swimming or aquatic exercise.
Schedule a Consultation at Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Today
If you are experiencing chronic joint pain or are preparing for a joint replacement, Forté offers some of the area’s most experienced joint replacement surgeons who perform hundreds of joint replacements each year, in-office physical therapy as well as interventional pain management. We have convenient locations in Carmel, Greenwood, Mooresville, Noblesville and Tipton. Don’t let joint pain keep you from your daily activities. Contact us today to get started to get you back to your forté.
Travel routes to our Carmel Forté office have been impacted by road closures for the Level Up 31 project. Please add extra travel time for your appointment. Visit http://levelup31.com/ for more details.