Quick navigation links:

About Joint Camp at Orthopedic Institute | What should I expect before & after surgery?
______________________________________________________________________________

Surgery

Joint Camp

A program is available for patients having total knee and total hip replacements. This program is available only at Avera McKennan Hospital and emphasizes education and wellness. The surgeons of Orthopedic Institute in connection with Avera McKennan Hospital have developed the Total Joint Center, also referred to as Joint Camp.

Surgeries are scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays, with patients typically being discharged to their own homes, not another facility or step-down unit, on Thursdays and Fridays. Therapy is delivered in a group setting on the unit, which facilitates camaraderie among the patients. In addition to the therapists working with the patients, each patient has a coach who helps with the recovery. Coaches may be a family member, friend or volunteer. Patients stay in a designated wing of the hospital on the orthopedic unit.

Emphasis on patient education occurs before and after surgery. Patients are given a notebook before surgery and are expected to attend a class. Pre-op education prepares the patient for the surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation and return to functional activities. Every day at Joint Camp patients receive newsletters with updates on what to expect. Prior to going home, patients are giving videos and handouts explaining what to expect in the days ahead.

Surgeons and staff of Joint Camp believe that patients requiring total joint replacements are often in good overall health. Therefore, there is a wellness approach in the care that is provided. Patients are expected to dress in their own clothes, (loose-fitting) not hospital gowns. Lunches are eaten in the dining area with other campers and coaches.

If you are interested in Joint Camp, visit with your surgeon at Orthopedic Institute to determine if this experience is right for you.

[Top]

What should I expect before and after surgery?

To prepare for surgery:

• You may be told to stop taking certain medications, including herbal supplements and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen.

• Your surgeon may instruct you to stop smoking.

• You will be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.

• You will be asked to sign a surgery consent form.

• Your healthcare provider will discuss your options for anesthesia (medication to keep you asleep during surgery).

Risks and Complications

Your surgeon will discuss possible risks and complications of surgery, which include:

• Problems with swallowing

• Persistent hoarseness

• Side effects from anesthesia

• Failure of the graft to fuse

• Shifting or displacement of bone graft

• Damage to nearby structures

• Bleeding and possible need for transfusion

• Infection

• Spinal cord or nerve damage

BREATHING TIPS:

• You will have a breathing tool to assist with lung expansion

• Cough and deep breathe

• NO SMOKING

• Increase activity as soon as possible

What to expect after surgery

• Expect some pain

• Have realistic expectations - you will have ups and downs

• Be patient and persistent - rebuild strength gradually

• Be prepared for some emotional changes

• Develop a positive mental attitude

• Nurses will explain wound/incision care

Watch for:

• Increased temperature

• Increased redness

• Increased drainage

Activity Guidelines

When Sitting:

• Sit with good posture

• Keep feet flat on floor

• Sit for short periods of time

Excercising:

• Talk to your physician about resuming exercise

• Walk! Walk! Walk!

• Wear good, supportive, flat-soled shoes

Sleeping:

• Rest when fatigued

• DO NOT spend all of your time in bed

• May be "stiff" when first up - slowly stretch
  [Top]

Download pdf
[ 165K ]

This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem.

NO PHYSICIAN REFERRAL IS NEEDED UNLESS REQUIRED BY YOUR INSURANCE

Quick navigation links:

About Us | Treatment | Conditions | Educational Resources | Contact Us | Site Map | Home

Web design & Copyright 2009 © Prizm Development, Inc.
www.prizmdevelopment.com