Rehabilitation and support
We are committed to ensuring every patient has the best possible recovery. Whilst the recovery pathway varies according to each patient’s needs and the procedure that they have had, there is some general advice that applies to most patients.
Detailed rehabilitation advice specific to each procedure can be found on the Treatment pages of the website.
If you would like to know more about our enhanced recovery packages, please contact our office on 01483 938756 or email rehab@oneorth.co.uk.
Click here to download our Enhanced Rehabilitation Programme Leaflet
Preparing yourself for surgery
Once you have decided to go ahead with surgery, it’s important to understand that your overall health and fitness can impact your post-surgery recovery. Patients who maintain or work towards becoming as strong, fit, and healthy as possible before their surgery, build the foundation for a better recovery.
There may be simple steps that you can take to improve your own fitness and health. If possible, we recommend that you start to actively prepare 4-6 weeks before your surgery.
Our consultants work closely with specialist orthopaedic physiotherapists at the hospital and independent private practices, who will support you before and after your surgery. We also work with a physiotherapy group who provide a domiciliary service, helping you to prepare for surgery and recover in your own home.
If you would like to know more about our enhanced recovery packages, please contact our office on 01483 938756 or email rehab@oneorth.co.uk.
Click here to download our Enhanced Rehabilitation Programme Leaflet
Preparing your home for surgery
It is a good idea, before your surgery, to think about what your limitations might be, and prepare your home or living space to make things as easy as possible for your return.
Go into your front door and walk around your home, imagining what it will be like with a temporary incapacitation. Is there furniture you can move to make getting around a room easier with a walker; can doors be left open if one of your arms is going to be in a sling; can rugs, or wires, or any other potential trip hazards be removed or tidied away?
There are many other ways in which you can make life easier for yourself while you recover from surgery, and these are best done in advance. Here are a few others practical ideas:
Have handy a pair of easy-to-put-on shoes with good grip, particularly for when walking across slippery surfaces
- Put all your regularly used items, such as remote controls, medications, and reading materials, in one convenient place
- Stock up your cupboards with essentials, and your fridge and freezer with easy-to-prepare meals
- Store food and any cooking utensils you use often in a cupboard that is at waist to shoulder level
- Think about where and how you wash; put a chair and a slip-proof mat in the shower
- Consider adding handrails in the shower, and next to the toilet
- Set up a bedroom on the ground floor, and check your bed is at a good height. You may need to temporarily raise or lower your mattress’s height to make getting in and out of bed easier after surgery.
- Make sure all the clothes you are going to use are easily accessible
- Wear an item of clothing each day that has large pockets, to put things in rather than carry them around
- Consider whether you will need any assistive devices after your procedure, such as a walking aid, grabber and long handled shoe horn.
Pre-operative assessment
Once your surgery has been booked, the hospital will contact you to confirm your arrival time and arrange a pre-operative assessment. The pre-operative assessment may be carried out in person at the hospital or over the phone, depending on the procedure that you are having.
The pre-operative assessment will involve a thorough review of your medical history, medication, and lifestyle. Should you have any concerns about the level of support you will need after your discharge home, please discuss these concerns with the pre-assessment nurse.
Should you decide that you would benefit from domiciliary care after your procedure, please contact the office on 01483 938756 or email rehab@oneorth.co.uk.
In Hospital
Your rehabilitation will start whilst you are still in hospital.
Under the guidance of your consultant, the expert physiotherapists on the ward will teach you how to use the assistive aids that are appropriate for you, start you on an initial exercise programme and teach you how to use cold therapy.
Cold therapy
To aid your recovery, we recommend the use of cold therapy, which is a natural way to relieve pain and swelling and reduce the potential of bruising.
Most of our patients use a cold therapy device whilst they are in hospital. In our experience, many patients continue to benefit from the cold therapy for a further two to four weeks after surgery. Cold therapy can take many forms, from an ice pack wrapped in a towel, to a purpose made device.
The Hilotherm cold therapy device is easy to use, with precise temperature control which enables patients to use it for prolonged periods of time when they are resting, even overnight. The device cools water to a specific temperature and pumps it through an anatomically fitted cuff. It does not require ice packs.
For more information about hiring a Hilotherm device to aid your recovery, please read this leaflet, or contact the office on 01483 938756 or rehab@oneorth.co.uk.
Click here to download our Enhanced Rehabilitation Programme Leaflet
Rehabilitation
To optimise your recovery, it is essential that you actively engage in rehabilitation once you are discharged from hospital. This will help you to improve your strength and range of movement.
Your consultant and physiotherapist will guide you through your rehabilitation. Please let us know if you have your own physiotherapist, in order that we can keep in contact with them through your rehabilitation.
If you would like to arrange physiotherapy at home, please contact the office on 01483 938756 or email rehab@oneorth.co.uk.
Monitoring patient outcomes
So that we can continually improve our service, please consider leaving a review for us.
We ask all patients having joint replacements to complete a questionnaire before and after their procedure. The purpose is to continually improve our quality of care.
Ongoing care and support
We are committed at to ensuring that all our patients are fully satisfied with their treatment. Your consultant will arrange appropriately timed follow up consultations in order to make sure you are fully recuperated before your discharge.
