Considering hip or knee replacement surgery? Here’s practical advice from Johns Hopkins doctors.
Because hip or knee replacement surgery is rarely an emergency, you have plenty of time to set your house in order before you go to the hospital. That includes arranging your home so that it will be rehab-friendly when you return home, taking care of important paperwork, and lining up neighbors and friends to help.
Hip or knee replacement surgery: Financial Concerns
The weeks before hip or knee replacement surgery are a good time to pay upcoming bills and review your health insurance coverage to avoid any unpleasant surprises later on. This includes inquiring about or verifying coverage issues such as:
- Need for a second opinion on your hip or knee replacement surgery.
- Hospital and health care providers’ status as “in-network” or “preferred.”
- Deductibles for hospital services.
- Limits on length of stay.
- Coverage for hospital rehabilitation services.
- After-care services for your hip or knee replacement surgery, such as physical or occupational therapy. (Ask whether the therapists must be from an approved list and how many visits or sessions are covered.)
- Equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches, and whether they must be obtained from approved vendors.
- Home health care coverage, what type, and for how long.
- Coverage of follow-up visits with your physician.
Hip or knee replacement surgery: Health Issues
Ask your doctor to explain the hip or knee replacement procedure, the type of device being implanted, and what you should expect in terms of rehabilitation (pain management, time on crutches or a walker, length of physical therapy, type of home assistance required, time off from work, restricted activities, and time until you can resume full activities). Your doctor or hospital may have printed material on the procedure, or you can request information from organizations such as The Arthritis Foundation.
Hip or knee replacement surgery: Home Improvements
Take a look at the rooms in your house to identify potential problem areas. To increase safety and convenience:
- Remove throw rugs and small items from the floor. Tape down electrical cords. Rearrange furniture to create wide pathways to accommodate a walker or crutches.
- Set up a bedroom downstairs.
- Place kitchenware and other frequently used items within arm’s reach. Buy a long-handled grabbing device.
- Consider installing handrails and grab bars in the bathroom and shower. A shower bench and elevated toilet seat are also helpful.
- Place a sturdy high-backed chair with arms in the room where you will spend most of your time.
- Set up a recovery center. Place a table and wastebasket near your chair. Include a phone, T.V. remote control, tissues, medications, water pitcher and glass, and reading material. Use a carpenter’s apron or shoulder bag to carry items around the house.
- Make or buy frozen casseroles, soups, and other easy-to-prepare foods.
Above all, don’t hesitate to ask friends and neighbors for help with groceries, transportation, or other tasks. With your new hip or knee, you’ll be able to return the favor down the road.
