Hip or Knee Replacement
After your operation is complete, you will be taken to the recovery ward while you come out of the anaesthetic. From recovery you will be taken to the ward.
You may have a catheter in your bladder so you will not need to get up to go to the toilet. This will usually be removed the morning after your surgery.
In most cases your hip or knee replacement is good enough to walk on by the time you get to the recovery room. A physiotherapist will help you to get up and walk for the first time the day following your surgery.
For hip replacement, the physiotherapist will also teach you what you should and should not do with your new hip, including advice on how to get in and out of bed and putting on your shoes safely. These precautions are to prevent your hip replacement from dislocating and need to be continued for 3 months following your surgery.
There are usually no additional precautions following a knee replacement. Following a knee replacement, the physiotherapist will work with you on getting your knee straightening and bending. You will be taught exercises that you need to do yourself between physio sessions and when you go home.
Most patients will be ready to go home from the hospital on the third or fourth day following surgery. Some patients require a bit longer and some go to rehab, which can be organised after your surgery if it is required.
Knee Arthroscopy
After your operation is complete, you will be taken to the recovery ward while you come out of the anaesthetic. From recovery you will be taken to the day surgery ward and then will be released to go home.
Nearly all patients are able to walk without needing a walking aid. You will be given some pain medication to take home to use if you need it in the first few days. You will have a bandage around your knee when you go home which will stay on for the first 2 days.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
After your operation is complete, you will be taken to the recovery ward while you come out of the anaesthetic. From recovery you will be taken to the ward.
You will have a splint on your knee which you will wear for the first week to ten days. Most patients will be allowed to walk the morning after surgery using crutches for assistance. The physiotherapist will help you with this.
Once you are walking safely using crutches you will be allowed to go home. You will still have your knee bandaged at this stage and the bandage will stay on until the following day.
