What to Expect After Surgery at St. Mary-Corwin
St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center patients should expect to stay at the hospital for three days following surgery.
Day One After Surgery
By 7:00 a.m. patients will be bathed, and helped out of bed and moved into a recliner. The surgeon who performed the joint replacement will visit. Intravenous (IV) pain medication will likely be stopped and oral pain medication will begin. Patients may be assessed by a physical therapist who will work to get each individual walking with either crutches or a walker with group therapy beginning in the afternoon. We encourage coaches to be present as much as possible. Visitors are welcome, preferably late afternoons or evenings.
Patients may receive help getting out of bed and can change into the clothing (loose) that was brought to the hospital. Physical therapists help patients talk a walk in the morning before group therapy sessions—mid-morning and afternoon. Coaches are encouraged to participate in therapy. Patients may even begin walking the stairs on day two. Evenings are free for friends to visit.
Day Three After Surgery
Discharge day! Patients may be helped out of bed in the morning before conquering the stairs and a morning group therapy session. After lunch patients will participate in one more group therapy session before being discharged.
Going Home vs. Going To A Skilled Nursing Facility
Patients, the Joint Care Coordinator, case manager, surgeons, physical therapists and insurance companies will decide where a patient should go after discharge. Every attempt will be made to have this decision finalized in advance but it may be delayed until the day of discharge. However, most of our patients do so well that they do not meet the guidelines to qualify for a skilled nursing facility.
Someone else will need to drive the patient home or to the rehab facility. Patients should expect to go home with full discharge instructions concerning medications, physical therapy, activity, etc. The St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center will arrange for any necessary equipment.
Please remember that skilled nursing stays must be pre-approved by insurance companies.
