After Your Surgery in Onalaska

While you may be an ideal candidate for same-day joint replacement at the outset, each case must still meet all of the rigorous postoperative discharge metrics to be released. Just because you are designated a same-day patient at the beginning of your surgery process does not guarantee you may go home that day. Our goals are always the safety and well-being of you, our patient. Therefore, if your circumstances dictate, your care and discharge from the hospital will be not be rushed.

You will need to be able to:

• Move independently or with minimal assistance, and have a caregiver at home
• Show you can successfully negotiate stairs if there are stairs at home
• Exhibit stable blood pressure and other vital signs
• Urinate
• Control your pain with oral pain medications

Here are a few short, yet helpful videos to watch on recovery after surgery:

• Recovering from your hip replacement surgery
• Recovering from your knee replacement surgery
• Safe use of your walker

Pain medicine

The idea of being in pain after surgery is a normal fear to have. Our team provides pain-reducing measures that start in the surgery center prior to you even entering the operating room. We continue providing pain reducing measures until you are discharged home.

Along with traditional pain medications, alternative pain management strategies such as deep breathing, relaxation, and position changes, are also demonstrated by our team to provide you with optimal pain control.

Prior to being discharged, our provider and nursing teams review the best ways for you to take pain medications to control any pain you may experience while at home. Click here for an educational document that explains pain management options.

The day after your discharge, a registered nurse from the Orthopedics Department will provide you with a follow-up call. This call will address pain management as it applies to your situation, and any additional questions you may have.

Rehabilitation after surgery

Your rehabilitation therapy begins within two hours of your surgery, taking place in the Day Surgery Unit. Your rehabilitation will continue at home for as long as prescribed based on your needs and goals. Planning for and executing your postoperative rehabilitation plan is a collaborative effort between you, your surgeon and physical therapist.

Total joint replacement patients have a two-week, post-operative visit in Orthopedics. This is a face-to-face visit so your care team can assess the incision and bandages. The three-month and one-year post-operative appointments are conducted virtually. 

The big picture

Joint replacement procedures — same-day discharge or otherwise — are comprehensive and collaborative pathways of care — from preoperative screening and counseling — through postoperative recovery and outpatient rehabilitation. Our orthopedic surgeons partner with you to optimize your health prior to surgery, to give you the best chance of a rapid recovery and positive outcome.