Guides

63 HOW L ONG W ILL I BE I N THE HOSPITA L? Some patients will be discharged the day of surgery. Some patients will be hospitalized for one to two days after surgery. QUEST IONS F OR G OIN G HOME WILL I NEED HELP AT HOME? Yes, for the first several days or weeks, depending on your progress, you will need someone to assist you with meal preparation, etc. This is typically your care coach. Family or friends need to be available. Preparing ahead of time, before your surgery, can minimize the amount of help needed. Having the laundry done, house cleaned, yard work completed, clean linens on the bed and single portion frozen meals will help reduce the need for extra help. WHAT IF I LIVE A LONE ? You may return home and receive help from a relative or friend (care coach). You may have a home health nurse and/or therapist visit you at home. The goal is to send you directly home from the hospital. For patients not mobile enough, arrangements may be made to go to a skilled nursing facility for a short period of time. Medicaid/Medicare patients must meet certain criteria for placement. Daily copay may be required for managed care patients. We suggest having an alternative plan, as well. WILL I NEED A WALKE R, CRUT CHE S O R CAN E? Yes, your physical therapist and/or your surgeon will make recommendations about progressing from the walker or crutches to a cane or to no assistive device. WILL MY INS URAN CE CO VE R THIS EQUIPME NT ( WALKE R, CRUT CHES, CA NE, ET C.)? Please check with your insurance company before surgery if you have questions about equipment coverage policies. Should you have any concerns or questions after speaking with your insurance, a member of your care team will be able to assist you. If your insurance does not cover specific equipment, you can search and purchase from Amazon, local churches, equipment banks, loaner banks, etc. HOW MUCH W EIG HT CAN I PUT ON MY NEW JOIN T ? You will be advised by your therapist and/or surgeon how much weight you can place on your operative leg. Do not put more weight on your operated leg than the surgeon has ordered. This is referred to as your "weight bearing status."

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