Whether you've undergone a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement, here are essential tips and guidelines to help you get back to your daily activities safely and effectively.

1. Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions

After surgery, your joint replacement surgeon will provide specific guidelines for your recovery. These may include activity restrictions, wound care, and medications to manage pain and prevent infection. Sticking closely to these instructions is the foundation of a smooth recovery.

By taking the steps outlined below to optimize your health and environment, you’ll be well-prepared for joint replacement surgery and recovery. Remember, a little preparation can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth, successful outcome. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare.

1. Focus on Your Health

Your joints can take on a lot of damage throughout your life, leading to degenerative conditions, like osteoarthritis. Joint replacement is often the recommended solution for the pain and limited mobility associated with these conditions.

Traditionally, joint replacement is performed as an inpatient procedure that often requires one to two nights of recovery in a hospital. This remains the best option for some patients; however, new options exist for select candidates.

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses small incisions, specialized instruments, and imaging technology to treat spinal conditions with less disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues. Unlike traditional open surgery, which requires large incisions and muscle retraction, our minimally invasive procedures minimize tissue damage, reducing postoperative pain and recovery time.

Herniated discs often develop due to age-related wear and tear known as disc degeneration. As spinal discs lose hydration and flexibility over time, they become more prone to tearing or rupturing. Other causes of a herniated disc can include:

When you maintain a proper posture, your spine rests in a neutral position that distributes weight evenly to your muscles and joints, reducing unnecessary stress. However, poor posture can lead to: