🏃‍♂️ Physical Therapy & Recovery

🏥 Day of Surgery

On the day of your surgery, you will work with a physical therapist. The physical therapist's expectation is to assess what you may be able to perform bed exercises, move from lying to sitting at bedside, or sitting to standing.

The physical therapist will assist you in getting out of bed. There are factors that may limit the amount of out of bed activity you can participate in, however it is expected that you:

• Perform bed exercises
• Move from lying to sitting at the side of the bed
• Attempt standing with the walker

🏠 Before Going Home

Generally for joint replacement, you must be able to perform the following without hands-on assistance:

🏃‍♀️ Physical Therapy Arrangements

You will receive physical therapy following surgery based on what your insurance covers:

🏠 Home Health Physical Therapy Details

Typically, a Home Health Physical Therapist will come to your home 24-48 hours after discharge. This is NOT a caregiving service. They will:

• Assess home safety
• Improve your walking pattern
• Provide stair training if needed
• Progress exercises and range of motion of the joint
• Come to your home for about 1 hour, 2 times a week for about 2-4 weeks depending on progress

📋 Pre-Surgery Recommendations

• If you already have a walker, practice using the walker in your home
• Practice going up and down stairs at home with or without railing

🛠️ Adaptive Equipment

Equipment that might be recommended by your therapist for your convenience and safety, but may not be covered by insurance:

• Raised toilet seat
• Grab bars
• Commode
• Shower chair/tub-bench
• Sock aid
• Leg lifter
• Reachers/grabbers

Consider the height of your bed and possible need for elevation.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Caregiver Recommendations

It is recommended that you have a physically capable family member, friend, and/or hired caregiver present 24/7 for the first 2-5 days and nights.

📅 Week 1-2: Initial Recovery

• Home health PT visits 2-3 times per week
• Focus on basic mobility and safety
• Walking with walker
• Basic exercises for range of motion
• Ice therapy 5-10 times daily

📅 Week 3-4: Building Strength

• Transition from home health to outpatient PT
• May try stationary bike if can safely get on/off
• Begin weaning off walker to cane
• Start weaning off opioid medications

📅 Week 4-8: Advancing Activity

• Continue outpatient PT 3x per week
• Swimming may be OK around 4-5 weeks (once incision healed)
• May resume driving when off narcotics and not using walker
• Gradually increase walking distance and activities

📅 Week 8-12+: Return to Activities

• Complete outpatient PT program
• May resume golfing, hiking, and dancing
• Continue with home exercise program
• Avoid high-impact activities long-term