Michigan Orthopedic Specialists: Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine



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Frequently Asked Questions - Discharge Day: Recovery

What can I expect the first few days after discharge?
Do I need someone to stay full-time with me when I go home?
When can I go up and down stairs?
Will I need pain medicine after I'm discharged from the hospital?
How long will I need to use my walker or crutches?
When can I go outside?
When can I drive?
When will I be able to return to work?
When will I be able to participate in sports activities?
When will I be able to have sexual intercourse after my surgery?

What can I expect the first few days after discharge?
Expect a time of transition. You may feel overwhelmed the 1st day or two after discharge and may even feel you've made a mistake coming home so soon. This may occur even after discharge from a rehab or sub-acute floor. Be patient, and give yourself some time to adjust. Many patients report that after the 1st day or two of practical problem solving and establishing a routine, they experience a change in their progress and notice a definite upward trend to their recuperation.

During this phase of discharge, usually within the 1st 24-72 hours after discharge, you will receive a telephone check-up from your case manager. You will be asked several questions to establish your progress and whether your post-discharge home or out patient therapies have been started. This phone call also allows you to ask any questions or voice concerns regarding your home situation so they can be addressed.

Do I need someone to stay full-time with me when I go home?
It is our recommendation that someone be with you the first 24-72 hours after discharge. Many patients do live alone and we realize this is not always possible. But if you have a relative or a friend who offers to stay with you, take this offer for your own ease of mind. Many times patients have family members or friends who stay with them all day in the hospital. While this is certainly welcomed, it is often more helpful that this person be available after you leave the hospital. If you do live alone and either are discharged from rehab or from the orthopaedic floor with no help available at home, perhaps a friend or neighbor can call you daily to check on your progress. In addition, if home care has been arranged, these visits usually can be arranged so that someone is checking on you daily. The case manager will be discussing options available for your particular circumstances, and together you will develop a discharge plan which addresses your particular situation.

When can I go up and down stairs?
Stairclimbing will be practiced in the physical therapy program before you leave the hospital. Most patients can climb stairs before leaving the hospital. If you live in a 2 story home and have practiced stairclimbing, stairs can be done one to two times a day after discharge depending upon your needs and your comfort level.

Will I need pain medicine after I'm discharged from the hospital?
Most patients do require a short term course of pain medicine. Renewals on these prescriptions can be obtained by calling our offices. Expect to be on some type of pain medication for several weeks after discharge. Most patients take these medications especially at night or before therapy sessions.

How long will I need to use my walker or crutches?
Walkers and/or crutches are used the 1st 6 weeks after surgery. You then will be allowed to use a cane which again will be for 6 weeks. After that time, most patients do not need any support for walking.

When can I go outside?
From the physician's aspect, you may go outside at any time. Comfort and safety should be the primary guidelines for doing this. We suggest starting with short trips at first, perhaps to therapy or church. Gradually increase the number and length of outside activities as you feel more comfortable.

When can I drive?
Driving routinely is not permitted before 6 weeks from the time of your surgery. However, some physicians will allow the patient to drive earlier if they feel the patient can do so safely. The type of surgery, side of surgery (left vs. right leg), and the patients overall general condition plays a part in this decision.

If you feel you will need to drive earlier than the 6 week routine prescribed, you should discuss this with your surgeon and obtain his approval.

When will I be able to return to work?
This varies with each patient. In general, patients usually do not return to work until after their first check-up at 6 weeks from surgery. Some patients do return to work earlier if they can do so safely. This should be discussed with your physician so that the best decision for your individual situation is made.

When will I be able to participate in sports activities?
Depending upon what activity you want to participate in will determine when you can start these again. Swimming, walking distances (hiking), bicycle riding, golfing, and other low impact sports activities can likely be tried after a few weeks. Returning to high impact activities such as jogging, tennis, or aerobics exercises will probably not be recommended for quite some time. Your return to any of these activities should be discussed with your surgeon.

When will I be able to have sexual intercourse after my surgery?
In most cases, sexual activities can be resumed when the patient feels comfortable enough to do so. If the patient has been cautioned to maintain certain position restrictions, these restrictions will need to be followed in this instance also. In general, most patients resume their normal sexual activities between 4-6 weeks following surgery.