Before Joint Replacement Surgery

Some tasks to consider prior to surgery:

• Examine all educational material given to you
• Ask your surgeon or hospital staff any questions you may have
• Prepare your home for your return after surgery
• Prepare yourself for surgery
• Identify a person to provide assistance when you return home

Preparing Your Home For Return

As you will be experiencing restricted mobility upon your return home after surgery, we have created a list of modifications you might consider in order to make your home life as comfortable and as safe as possible.

• Remove loose rugs wherever possible to avoid tripping.
• If you cannot remove rugs, add a non-skid backing.

• Make sure handrails are well anchored on both sides of the stairway (if applicable).
• Place non-skid treads on the edge of each step to prevent slipping.
• Make sure any carpeting on stairs is secure and flat.
• Count the number of stairs both inside and out of the home, let your physiotherapist know the number.

• Arrange furniture so that pathways are not cluttered and allow enough space for a walker, crutches or walking stick.
• Avoid furniture with sharp edges and corners. If your furniture has sharp edges and corners, pad them.
• Keep extension and telephone cords out of your pathway.
• If possible, move your bed to the ground floor of your home.
• Select one chair that you can use after you arrive home from hospital. It should have armrests and a high back. This will make things more comfortable and easier for you to get in and out of a sitting position. If you do not have such a chair let the hospital staff know and they can help you to arrange for something similar.
• Provide good lighting throughout the house.

• Prepare an ample amount of food ahead of time and store it in small containers in the freezer for simple reheating, or you can stock up on frozen dinners.
• Move frequently used kitchen equipment (pots, dishes, utensils, etc) to the level between your waist and shoulder height. This will help avoid excessive bending and lifting.
• Only use the front burners of the stove to avoid reaching over hotplates.

• Ask hospital staff about renting a raised toilet seat or commode chair for ease of getting onto and off the toilet.

• Have a chair available to use when you have a shower.
• Purchase a slip-resistant mat for the bathroom floor.

• Do not wear open toed slippers or shoes without backs as they do not provide adequate support and can lead to slips and falls.

• Rails for stairs, bathroom and toilet.
• Ramps.
• Equipment such as raised toilet seat and shower chair.
• Walking frame/crutches and other devices to help with day-to-day living.