Welcome to your pre-surgery education. You will be working closely with nurses from
your surgeon's office, pre-admission testing, and case management to prepare you for your surgery
and ensure your optimal recovery. Please have your information packet available to reference during
this video. Your role is to educate yourself and prepare yourself as best as possible. Pro Tip:
We encourage you to contact your medical insurance company prior to surgery. Insurance plans vary,
and not all equipment is considered necessary or covered. There may be out-of-pocket costs. Calling
ahead will ensure that you are prepared. Preparing Your Home Prior To Surgery:
It is important to prepare your home for your safety, comfort, and healing. Prior to surgery,
your case manager will speak to you about what you may need once you are home. Take the
time now to review your home environment and make adjustments so it is easier for you to get around
while recovering from surgery. For instance, make clear pathways around furniture and through rooms.
Remove tripping hazards, such as throw rugs and electrical cords. Add railings to your stairs.
Have chairs with armrests available, as that will make it easier for you to get up. Safety in the
bathroom is important. Please consider your bathroom set up, including the height of the
toilet seat, if there are grab bars, and your general ability to move around. Prior to your
surgery, be sure to arrange for your overnight support person. Pro Tip: If you will be home alone
during the day after surgery, be sure to have easy to prepare meals ready, have on hand things that
you could do while you are recovering – books to read, a journal to write in, crossword puzzles,
knitting, or another activity to help take your mind off your pain during recovery. Now is the
time to update all your providers, especially your dentist, to let them know that you are having a
joint replacement. Your providers will need to know about your joint replacement in case they
need to prescribe an antibiotic dose prior to future procedures. It is very important not to
have any dental work, including cleaning, for two weeks before surgery and three months after
surgery. Your education booklet contains a lot of information on tools and equipment to help you in
your recovery. If your joint replacement surgery requires you to have physical therapy after being
discharged, your case manager will help walk you through the process. It is helpful to complete
this task before surgery to ensure therapists and appointments are available. Physical therapy
options could include outpatient therapy, in-home therapy, and then moving to outpatient therapy,
or completing your therapy at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. This is a flexible
plan and customized for you to maximize your recovery. Preparing Your Body For Surgery:
Part of preparing for your surgery is a bacterial test via a nasal swab. The test is to see if
you have a specific bacteria that can cause an increased risk for developing infection
after surgery. You will only be contacted if the result is positive; and if it is, we will treat
you. Exercises before surgery, as well as, after are important for your recovery. Now is the time
to review and practice the exercises in your book. After surgery, physical and occupational
therapists will work with you. We will provide you with antibacterial sponges to wash your body
prior to surgery. Please make sure you follow the detailed instructions provided, such as showering
at night for four consecutive nights and one more time the morning of surgery. You will
use one sponge per shower. Use the sponges only on your body, avoiding eyes, ears, nose, mouth,
genitalia. Make sure to have clean sheets on your bed the first night and use a clean towel after
each shower. Please do not put lotions or powders on your body, and do not allow pets to sleep with
you. It is important that you are as healthy as possible prior to surgery. This can make
all the difference in your successful recovery. Here are some things to consider: If you smoke,
quit. If you are not feeling well, reach out to your primary care provider and your surgeon.
Check for cuts, scrapes, or bug bites that are not healing; and remember wash your hands often. Pro
Tip: Write down questions so you can ask your case manager or the nurse when you speak with
them. Day of Your Surgery: Your anesthesiologist will speak with you about options for anesthesia,
which can differ depending on the type of joint replacement surgery you are having. For example,
hip and knee replacements generally have spinal anesthetic; knee and shoulder replacement patients
will also have a nerve block injection. You will be asked to sign a consent for the plan. Once
you awaken from your procedure, you should expect some pain, swelling, and bruising. We want to make
sure your pain is tolerable, and the nurses will help manage your pain after surgery. Medication
Management: Medication is an important part of your pain management during recovery. Follow the
instructions provided by your surgeon. Medications could include acetaminophen, such as Tylenol®,
anti-inflammatory medication, narcotic pain medication. Acetaminophen should be taken as
directed. Do not exceed recommended daily dose. If you have negative reactions to or are allergic to
acetaminophen, please do not take it. Your surgeon may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication.
They are very effective at managing pain and swelling and will decrease your need for narcotic
pain medication. Always follow your surgeon's instructions when taking anti-inflammatory
medication. If additional pain relief is needed beyond acetaminophen and anti-inflammatories,
you may need to take narcotic pain medicine. We want your pain to be manageable, and we need
you to be able to rest and practice the exercises given to you by your therapist. Should you need to
take the narcotic pain medicine prescribed, please start with a minimal amount recommended. Also, if
you are taking pain medication, please make sure you are taking a stool softener as narcotics may
slow your body's digestive system and can cause constipation. If you are prescribed blood-thinning
medicine by your surgeon, it is important you take it as prescribed at home after surgery.
Following surgery, you are at an increased risk for developing a blood clot. The first 30 days
after surgery is when you are at greatest risk, so you will be required to wear compression stockings
or Ted hose during the daytime to minimize risk. Moving is helpful in your recovery,
as well as in managing your pain. Get up and move early and often after your surgery. Maintaining
good blood circulation after surgery is very important. Walk around about one lap of your
home every hour. These 3 exercises – foot-pumps, quad sets, and glute sets – will help. Ice is your
friend. Use it often, especially after movement and exercises. Place a towel or pillowcase
between the ice and your skin for comfort. Once your surgery is complete and you are recovering
at home, remember to do the following: take your medication as prescribed, work with your
therapist as directed, do your exercises, walk often doing laps around your home every hour,
use your adaptive equipment, such as the rolling walker. Wear your compression stockings, TED hose,
during the day for 30 days after surgery. Apply ice often and especially after exercises. By
following instructions both before and after surgery, you will improve your overall recovery
and recovery time. Thank you for choosing Rutland Regional Medical Center for your medical procedure
and for taking the time to view this video. All of us wish you a full and successful recovery.