What to Expect When You Have Surgery
What Happens First?
The orthopedic specialists at the Inova Joint Replacement Center are problem solvers first, and surgeons second. They approach each person with this thought in mind: "How can we improve your quality of life?" They also teach a class to assist you in determining if you are a good candidate for the surgery and to answer all your questions.
If you decide to go ahead with surgery, preoperative teaching and therapy will begin prior to your admission and continue throughout your surgery and recovery. For many patients, the same therapist who works with you preoperatively will be your primary therapist when you are in the hospital. The same team will see you at your return visit, six weeks post-discharge.
Our therapists train patients and their family members or caregivers in special sessions at the hospital, preparing patients with strengthening exercises and mobility techniques so they are as mobile and as strong as possible before the surgery.
What Will it Be Like in the Hospital?
Patients recuperate in a medical and acute rehabilitation unit with staff dedicated solely to joint replacement patients. A customized gym is located on the unit to allow you to begin rehabilitation following surgery. We have organized our care plan into what we call a "clinical pathway," which is a set of specific steps each patient takes from the first presurgery meeting in the physician's office all the way through recovery.
How Long Will I Stay in the Hospital?
Figures for primary hip replacements show that half of all patients complete the full inpatient pathway from surgery through rehabilitation in six or seven days. Knee patients stay a shorter time, usually four or five days.
To learn more about our community classes: call
703-750-8800.
