Question 1

When will I be going home after my operation?

Accepted Answer

You will go home once all your therapy stages are complete and when you are safe, confident in using your crutches, medically well and wound is dry.  This can be on the day of surgery or the following day or 2. This can however vary depending on the complexity and recovery after your surgery.

Question 2

What happens about my medication when I go home?

Accepted Answer

All your routine medication that you brought in with you will be returned.  If we have started you on any new tablets / injections, you will be supplied with sufficient to complete the course at home. A nurse will talk you through your medication prior to you leaving the ward.
You will be placed on injections to minimise the risks of blood clots for 2 - 4 weeks. This could be longer or diffrent if you have had a blood clot in the past. You or your partner is required to learn admistering these injections and the nursing staff wil teach you this. This is subject to review, you may be sent home on tablets.

Question 3

What equipment will I need?

Accepted Answer

The hospital staff will discuss your individual requirements and will provide information and some equipment as necessary. plan ahead as it may be necessary for you to hire or buy some of the equipment that you will need when you go home after your operation.

Question 4

How much will I be able to do?

Accepted Answer

By the time you leave hospital, you will have seen our advisory DVD and will have been shown how to get in and out of bed, how to use the bathroom and kitchen safely as well as how to cope with basic activities.

Question 5

Will I have physiotherapy after discharge?

Accepted Answer

If you have had a knee replacement, outpatient physiotherapy will be arranged for you by our team.  This will be at a department that’s closer to your home, unless you prefer to return to this hospital. For hip replacement patients, the best form of exercise is walking. Gradually increase the distance you walk as your general health allows.

Question 6

What are the common issues after surgery?

Accepted Answer

Pain Management - Please rember you will have pain from surgery for a few days to weeks. Please ensure you stick to the pain killers as advised, you can taper it down if necessary.
 
Swelling in the leg - Not uncommon, elevate in bed with leg higher than heart by foot end of matress. May be necessary to do this during day time oce or twice up to an hour depending on the sweiing. Stay active in between.
 
Leaking wound- Ring hospital for advise, if more than 48 with new dressing, ring my seretary and insist on seeing me.
 
Redness along the wound - Not uncommon, paticularly in knee rpelaceemnt, does not mean you have an infection, rest and high eleavetion in bed often improves this. If not contact.
 
Not opened bowels- Ideally you should have done this before discharge. Try lactulose and senna , if no improvemnt seek help locally from surgery.
 
Persistent swelling of leg- If swelling does not go down after elevation or having been in bed in the night, this may indicate DVT. Contact hospital.
 
Also look in 'Following surgery' under 'General Info'

Frequently Asked Questions:

Pre Surgery Questions

How to improve your health before surgery?

Pre-operative assessment

On the day of surgery?

What will happen upon arrival at the hospital?

What steps can be taken to prepare for returning home after surgery?

Post Surgery Questions