Preoperative Exercise Classes Prior To Joint Replacement

In preparing for either a knee, hip, or shoulder replacement surgery, You more than likely have been scheduled by the hospital that you and your orthopedic surgeon have decided to use for a preoperative exercise class. Today more than ever orthopedic surgeons, hospital staff and rehabilitation professionals understand the importance of having you as a patient better educated on the surgical procedure itself along with, how the hospital operates in the orthopedic wing and, what you can expect after surgery.

In the preoperative classes they will be held generally by both the orthopedic charge nurse and a physical therapist. By having both of them present you get a detailed introduction to what you can expect to receive from both disciplines during your hospital stay.

These classes allow you as the patient to discuss and ask questions about topics such as you probable length of stay, how your pain medication will be disbursed, and how the rehabilitation will be conducted and how often. You also should be given a small tour of the orthopedic wing along with an introduction to the rehabilitation department.

Topics such as what you can expect after surgery will be important. For instance in today's world of orthopedic surgery you can expect to be out of bed no later than the following morning after joint replacement if not sooner. This will be of course will be dictated by the surgeons operating schedule. I can not tell you how many times I would go into see a patient after joint replacement surgery only to have them in complete shock that someone like myself would expect them to get out of bed the following day.

Your exercise program will be discussed and the frequency you can expect your physical therapy during your stay in the hospital will be covered. Generally for the most part you can expect rehabilitation twice a day.The physical therapist that is assisting in holding the classes will also discuss and give you a physical demonstration of the exercises you can expect your first couple of days in the hospital. These will consist of basic isometric exercises along with gentle range of motion for the knee, hip, or shoulder.

You will be instructed on the use of how you will be using a walker after surgery though many will find they will need a refresher course the day they start rehabilitation as there are several safety precautions that will have to be demonstrated as well.

The importance of scheduling an attending one of these preoperative classes cannot be underestimated. Becoming better informed allows you to become more proactive in both your rehabilitation after surgery and your overall recovery.