To the Floor

You will be transported to the inpatient floor to recover from your surgery. Once on the floor, our nurses, aides and physical therapists will ensure your rapid recovery. You will meet a social worker while on the floor as well. They will further coordinate setting up everything you will need to be safely discharged home.

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Discharge

Most patients who undergo total hip or total knee will be discharged the day of surgery or the day after surgery. This will be determined by how your pain is controlled, how well you are functioning with physical therapy and your medical condition.  All criteria must be met prior to being sent home.  Our goal is to get you on the road to recovery as rapidly as possible while keeping you safe!

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Once home from either the hospital, it is important that you follow instructions given for the postoperative period.

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Physical therapy is very important to your recovery. You should perform the activities they suggest to help your recovery.

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Discharge Medications

You will be sent home with pain medications to help with your recovery.  The medications we send you home with will be the exact ones you had in the hospital, since we know those worked for you.

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After total joint surgery, you will need to take a medication to prevent blood clots.  In most cases, this will be Aspirin 81mg twice a day.  In some cases, a different medication will be required. This will depend on your risk factors for blood clot.

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Elevate Your Leg!
If you had a total knee or total hip, swelling in the leg can become a problem. It is important to elevate your leg properly after surgery, especially if you had a total knee. Here is a diagram of how to properly elevate your leg (CLICK HERE).

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Resume Your Medications
Prior to your discharge, we will go over which medicines you should continue and which you should discontinue.

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Call With Concerns

Someone is always on call you answer your questions.  During business hours, please call to speak to Dr. Waddell's team (214-220-2468). 

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Pain Medication Refills

Our policy is to not fill pain medications after hours. The law prohibits us from electronically sending in pain medication refills. Also, Dr. Waddell wants to stay actively involved in your pain management, so please try to call during business hours to discuss refills.