Joint Replacement Program

Goal

Welcome to Corning Hospital's Joint Replacement Program. Our goal is to help you achieve an optimal level of health and independence prior to discharge.

This goal can only be reached through the cooperation of you, your family, your doctor and our hospital staff, beginning at the time your doctor schedules your surgery and continuing throughout your hospitalization and recovery.

This brochure provides information about your pre-admission testing visits and your recovery period at Corning Hospital and at home following your surgery. It also introduces you to a few of the health care professionals who will be responsible for various aspects of your care: pre-admission testing, surgical and discharge planning nurses, and physical and respiratory therapists.

You'll learn what each day in the hospital will include, what you can expect your physical condition to be when you leave the hospital, and "do's" and "don'ts" you'll need to follow until you are completely recovered from your joint replacement surgery.

We are honored that you chose Corning Hospital/Founders Pavilion for your surgery and follow up care. We look foward to working with you, your family and your doctor to help you return quickly to health and independence following your surgery.

Pre-Admission Testing

Before your surgery, you will be asked to visit the hospital for a series of tests. This visit is called Pre-Admission Testing (P.A.T.).

The P.A.T. nurse will:

• perform an assessment of your physical condition.
• take your temperature, pulse, and other "vital signs."
• take you to the Laboratory for blood, urine and other tests.
• take you to the Radiology Department for a chest x-ray.
• take you to Respiratory Therapy for blood gas and other pulmonary function tests.
• show you educational videos to help you prepare for your hospital stay.

You are encouraged to bring a family member or friend when you come for your Pre-Admission Testing.

At the time of your P.A.T. visit, or on admission, you will meet with a nurse from our Surgery Department and a Respiratory Therapist.

Surgical Nurse Visit

On admission, a surgical nurse will review the following information concerning your surgery and recovery:

• anticoagulant therapy
• bowel regimen (laxatives?)
• "critical pathway" concept
• drains to remove body fluids, e.g., Foley catheter, Hemovac
• medications
• pain control
• support stockings

Respiratory Therapy Visit

The Respiratory Therapist will review with you information concerning the use of an Incentive Spirometer.

Autologous Blood Donors

If you are donating blood to be used during your surgery (autologous blood donation), you will:

• view a video
• meet with a Physical Therapist
• meet with a Discharge Planning Nurse

What Will Take Place During My Hospital Stay?

Day 1/Surgery Day

• dressing check
• blood work
• foley catheter
• IV and medication
• bed rest
• abduction pillow

Day 2/Post-op

• dressing change
• blood work
• foley discontinued
• physical therapy
  • stand up w/walker
  • up in chair
• regular diet

Day 5/Discharge Day

• blood work
• discharge planning
• physical therapy
• instructions to get in/out of automobile
• doctor appointment information
• prescription
• instructions for wound care
• equipment if needed

The Discharge Planning nurse will see you during your stay to set up any equipment or follow-up care you need.

Do's and Don'ts Following Hip Surgery

• Do exercise as instructed by your physical therapist.
• Do take your medicine as prescribed.
• Do Not get up like this.
• Do Not sit on a low toilet or chair.
• Do Not bend way over.
• Do Not pull blankets up like this
• Do Not lie without a pillow between your legs
• Do Not cross your legs
• Do Not stand with your toes turned in

Things To Do Following Knee Surgery

• Do exercise as instructed by your physical therapist
• Do take your medicine as prescribed
• Do use the CPM machine as much as possible
• Do use a knee immobilizer when getting in and out of bed (until your doctor says to leave it off)

What Can I Expect My Condition Will Be When I Leave The Hospital?

• your surgical wound will be clean and dry.
• your dressing will be in place until surgical staples are fully removed by your doctor.
• you will be able to walk safely by yourself with a walker.
• you will have prescriptions for medications to control pain.
• you will be able to care for yourself.
• you will understand what you should and should not do following surgery, until you are fully healed.

Health Education Index