Most patients after routine hip and knee replacement return home either the same day or next day so it is important your home be set up for your recovery in advance. Please visit the preparing for surgery section here on how to do this as your hospital stay will be short.

The hospital team will have you stand and walk often on the same day of surgery and will progress to stairs shortly afterward. You may need a walking aid for the first few weeks after surgery.

The hospital team will have you stand and walk often on the same day of surgery and will progress to stairs shortly afterward. You may need a walking aid for the first few weeks after surgery.

Your physiotherapy will start in the hospital, often on the same day of surgery. They will also help you arrange for physiotherapy when you leave the hospital. 

Please refer to the hip replacement exercise guide or the knee replacement exercise guide for detailed information of  your post-operative  physiotherapy plan. 

Please refer to the hip precautions guide if you have had a hip replacement.

It is normal to see some redness around the staples. Redness that spreads beyond this should be evaluated by your family doctor as well as your surgeon. If you are told you may have an infection in your surgical leg, please notify the surgeon’s office right away.

Pain is expected after joint replacement and is most effectively managed with over the counter and sometimes prescribed pain medications. Please refer to pages 8-14 in the Knee Replacement Surgery Discharge Instructions for a stepwise guide on pain management after knee replacement.