What to Expect in Hospital After Joint Surgery

Undergoing a joint procedure like a hip or knee replacement can feel daunting—but knowing what to expect during your hospital stay helps ease anxiety and empowers your recovery. In this article, I walk you through the usual journey: from anaesthesia and pain management to physiotherapy, discharge planning, infection prevention, and how family members play a key role in your healing.

Anaesthesia and Recovery

Most joint surgeries are performed under general anaesthesia, occasionally with a nerve block (like a spinal or epidural) to reduce pain straight after surgery. You're monitored in recovery where nurses keep an eye on your breathing, blood pressure, and comfort levels.

• First few hours: You may feel groggy or nauseated—this is common and treated promptly.
• Pain and nausea management: Medication might be delivered through an IV or orally as soon as you're able to swallow.
• Early movement: Within hours, physiotherapists often help patients sit up or dangle their legs—this jump‑starts your circulation and reduces the risk of complications like blood clots.

Pain Control Protocols

Effective pain control supports faster recovery. A combination of methods is typically used:

• Opioids, either intravenously or orally, for short-term relief.
• Non‑steroidal pain relievers and paracetamol to reduce inflammation.
• Nerve blocks or local anaesthetic catheters may be in place to ease discomfort directly where it's needed.

Your care team often customises a plan that balances pain relief with minimizing side effects like drowsiness or constipation. Reporting any pain quickly helps ensure you’re comfortable enough to participate in physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy and Mobility

Getting moving early is crucial for healing and preventing stiffness.

• Day 1: A physiotherapist typically helps you stand and take your first steps—often with support like a walker or crutches.
• Subsequent days: Exercises will progress to walking longer distances, stair climbing where appropriate, and joint stretches to restore mobility.
• Hydrotherapy or bedside exercises: You may move to pool sessions later, but early-stage exercises happen in bed or by your bedside.

Improving mobility helps you regain independence sooner and prepares you for discharge.

Discharge Planning

Discharge preparation begins early—often before you even arrive at hospital.

• Criteria for discharge: You’ll need pain under control with oral medications, be able to walk a set distance safely, and manage daily self-care like bathing and dressing.
• Home support: Your care team will ask about your living situations—whether someone can assist, whether stairs are involved, and any aids you need (e.g., shower seat, raised toilet seat).
• Community services: Arrangements can be made for home-care nursing visits, outpatient physiotherapy, or follow-up visits with your surgeon or GP.

Clear communication between you, your family, and the care team ensures a smoother transition home.

Infection Prevention

Hospitals follow strict protocols to reduce infection risk after surgery:

• Antibiotic prophylaxis, given before surgery and sometimes continued briefly after.
• Wound care monitoring: Nurses check your incision for redness, drainage, or fever.
• Hand hygiene: Staff and visitors must sanitize hands before contact.
• Ambulation and respiratory exercises: Getting you moving and deep-breathing helps reduce the risk of pneumonia or urinary infections.

Being compliant with hygiene advice and reporting any concerns early helps keep infection risk very low.

Family Involvement in Recovery

Having your family or carers engaged enhances recovery emotionally and practically:

• Visiting support: Familiar faces reassure and encourage, and they often help bring you nutritious snacks or items from home.
• Involvement in care planning: They can meet with physiotherapists and nurses to learn about daily routines, medications, and home care needs.
• Discharge support: Having someone to pick you up, help with steps at home, or manage meals and medications can make all the difference in those first few days.

Of course, hospital visiting policies vary, so it’s wise to ask what’s allowed beforehand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

— How long will I stay in hospital?

Many patients go home after 1–3 days for knee replacement and 2–4 days for hip replacement, depending on how quickly mobility and pain control progress.

— When will I start walking?

Physiotherapy usually begins on the first day after surgery, aiming for short walks soon after recovering from anaesthesia.

— How is pain managed without strong medications?

Teams often use a multimodal approach—local anaesthetic techniques, nerve blocks, non-opioid medications, and careful dosing—to minimise opioid usage and its side effects.

— What happens if there are complications like infection?

You’ll be closely monitored for signs. If concerns arise, antibiotics may be extended, or wound examination repeated. Early detection improves outcomes.

— Can I go home even if I live alone?

Yes, as long as support is organised—such as home nursing visits or assistance from family or professional carers during the first few postoperative days.

— How soon should I resume normal activities?

Walking and gentle mobility often begin immediately. Most daily activities resume within a few weeks, but high-impact tasks like heavy lifting or sports may be delayed until cleared by your surgeon—usually around 6–12 weeks.

Hospital stay following joint surgery is carefully structured to help you recover safely and confidently. From anaesthesia to discharge, each step is designed to reduce risks and speed up your return to mobility. Family involvement, proactive physiotherapy, vigilant infection prevention, and personalised pain control all play vital roles.

If you have specific concerns or medical conditions that might affect recovery—like diabetes, heart or lung issues, or prior joint surgeries—feel free to ask me for tailored guidance.