The Rapid Recovery Program takes place in hospital. It’s all about getting you up and out of bed as fast as possible and out of hospital as quickly as possible. This is suited to many patients.
Most patients following joint replacement are encouraged to return home following joint surgery. You will be returning to a familiar environment and this encourages you to be more independent with your activities of daily living. Average length of stay in hospital is 3-4 nights.
The Standard Recovery Program
This program is suited to patients that have more complex medical issues and require them to stay in hospital for a longer period of time. Early mobilisation is still a high priority with this program. Your hospitalization will be approximately 3-5 days depending on your discharge arrangements.
Rehabilitation options – after hospital
After joint replacement, the majority of patients can go straight home and continue with exercises they have been given by the hospital physiotherapists.
The physiotherapist and nursing staff at the Mater have a lot of experience in recognizing who requires inpatient rehabilitation and will make these arrangements if necessary.
Post-operative rehabilitation
Depending on your recovery, health, age and home care facilities and arrangements, a suitable rehabilitation program will be recommended for you. Rehabilitation options include:
- This is the favoured option following joint replacement. You will be given instructions on exercises to be done. Your health fund provider may have physiotherapist that visit you in your home or via a telehealth program.
- Mater rehabilitation unit (Fast Track Program) – you are transferred from the acute care ward at the Mater to the rehabilitation ward under the care of a rehabilitation specialist. This is suitable for patients that need a few more days in rehabilitation prior to being discharged home.
- Other rehabilitation hospital. If you require a longer rehabilitation due to medical or social issues then another rehabilitation facility may be recommended and organised.
Note that the booking for rehabilitation facilities is not done until you have had the surgery when it is clear what your rehabilitation needs are. The hospital staff will visit you to discuss this and make appropriate arrangements for you.
Post-operative follow-up appointment
Prior to surgery you will be given your 6-week follow up appointment. X rays are required for this appointment. At this visit you will be seen by Lyn McDonald ( Prof Walter Clinical Nurse Specialist). The appointment does not take very long (approximately 10 mins). If you are happy with your progress and feel that your questions can be answered on the phone we can do a telehealth appointment .
Post-op instructions for first six weeks
Please contact Lyn McDonald or Professor Walter if you have any questions or concerns during this early post-operative period. You can contact us on (02) 9160 6662.
- Follow the instructions you have been given by the physiotherapists and nurses in hospital.
- After hip replacement post-op instructions
- After knee replacement post-op instructions
- After scope surgery post-op instructions and physiotherapy guidelines