Feeling anxious or nervous about upcoming joint replacement surgery is perfectly normal. But knowing what to expect can help you relax and be prepared. People going in for surgery, along with their caregivers, need to know how to prepare and what they will need to do after surgery to ensure the best outcomes. The more knowledge you have, the better the experience and outcome.
The basics of joint replacement surgery
During this surgery, the doctor will remove worn-out or damaged parts of your joint. These are then replaced with an artificial joint. The new joint can be made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. You may have a total replacement of a joint or a partial replacement.
You may have heard more about hip and knee replacements, but other joints can also be replaced if they are worn or damaged. Shoulder replacements are becoming more common, given improvements in surgery. Other joints can also be replaced, but it’s much less common.
Benefits of joint replacement surgery
If you have been dealing with joint pain and arthritis in a joint, joint replacement surgery may be the final step to bring pain relief and improved function. Once you have healed and finished physical therapy, you will find yourself in less pain and able to do many of the activities you used to do.
If your doctor recommends joint replacement surgery, you will want to follow all instructions carefully. Outcomes for knee joint, hip joint, and other joint surgeries are generally positive. You can aid the process by preparing for surgery, doing what you can to make the day of surgery go smoothly, and following guidelines for healing afterwards.
Prepare your body
You may be able to speed up your post-surgery recovery by focusing on health and well-being before the procedure. A good way to do this is by being as active as you can, eating healthy foods, getting plenty of sleep, and managing stress. Talk with your doctor and physical therapist about the following:
- Getting plenty of aerobic exercise. If your doctor says it is safe to keep moving and exercising, make this a priority. Ask about exercise modifications.
- Doing some strength training. Include strength training in your workout routine. You can expect to lose some muscle mass during your rest and recovery period. Building or maintaining muscle mass before surgery will help. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
- Eating healthy foods. Protein will help your body heal. Also, eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you need to lose weight, talk to a nutritionist or registered dietitian for a plan.
- Keep stress in check. It may be helpful to learn some relaxation skills before surgery. Practices like muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and guided imagery can help you get through this stressful time. Talk with your doctor about using these and other relaxation skills.
- Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is crucial for healing. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours per night before and after your surgery will help with a smooth recovery.
- Follow your doctor’s advice. If you have any unexpected changes in your pain or other symptoms, call your doctor right away.
- If you smoke, try to quit. It’s been demonstrated that smoking can slow down your healing.
- Get dental work done if needed. Serious dental conditions should be resolved before surgery. This is because a dental procedure may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If an infection results, it could move to your joint surgical site if you wait until after your surgery to have dental work.
Prioritize prehabilitation
Prehab refers to a program of building muscle strength and maintaining good mobility before surgery. Your doctor or physical therapist will show you exercises to build the muscles around the surgery site. Research shows that prehab can be a great help with the recovery process. And it can contribute to a successful outcome after surgery.
Prepare your home
Preparing your home before your procedure will help give you a safe and comfortable environment for your recovery. Here are a few tips:
- Prepping includes making the house safe and assistive device friendly. Pick up throw rugs and store them until you are healed. Move any loose cords that may lie in the path of walking.
- Add grab bars in the shower and by the toilet. Get a raised toilet seat, if needed.
- Set up your space to make your everyday items easier to reach. For example, move your dishes or pantry items to a lower shelf.
- Get a stable chair with a firm seat cushion and back, as well as a footstool to elevate your leg if that was your surgical site.
Other considerations
You will want to enlist a caregiver to help you after surgery. Call on family members or a team of friends. A strong support system to help with daily tasks and recovery will be invaluable.
Also, consider buying or borrowing devices that will make life after surgery easier. These can be found at drugstores or online. Some helpful items include:
- A shower chair
- A reacher/grabber tool to help you pick up items from the floor without bending
- A shoehorn and a sock aid that lets you slip socks on without bending
- Button up shirts and elastic waist pants for easy dressing
The preoperative visit
You can expect a pre-surgery visit with your surgeon. Be ready to share all the medications, herbs, and supplements you’re currently taking. Your doctor might recommend stopping some of them before your appointment or procedure. Your surgeon may also ask you to follow up with your primary doctor or a specialist before your surgery.
Take notes during your pre-op visit. Know which meds to keep taking and which to stop. It’s especially important to understand when to stop taking blood-thinning medications. These include prescription blood thinners and over-the-counter meds such as ibuprofen, Motrin, and aspirin.
Pick up any new prescriptions, such as pain meds and blood thinners.
The night before surgery
As far as showering, follow the instructions provided by your surgeon. You may be given special soap to use before surgery. This protocol is important to prevent complications, such as infections, during and after your surgery.
Be aware that you may be asked not to eat after midnight the night before your surgery, so plan accordingly. You may also be asked to avoid any lotions or skin care products the night before.
The day of surgery
Make sure you know which of your medications to take. Some meds, such as those for high blood sugar or high blood pressure, may be taken. But be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions. You can have clear liquid up to 2 hours before surgery, unless otherwise directed. Contact your doctor before the day of surgery if you have questions about meds or other instructions.
Sometimes, you can go home the same day after joint replacement surgery. However, be prepared to stay overnight in the hospital if your doctor recommends this.
At home after surgery
Be aware that you may experience some numbness around the incision. This should improve over time. Also, expect some pain and swelling at and around the surgical site. But keep moving based on your surgeon’s recommendations.
Ice the incision area for 10 minutes at a time or as your doctor directs for pain.
For hip or knee replacement, elevate the affected leg above the heart when lying down. Use pillows or a foam wedge to help lessen swelling.
Understand options for pain management. Know when to wean off narcotics, if these have been prescribed to you. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns or questions during your post-op days.
Moving after surgery
Before you leave the surgery center, you may have a session where you learn from a doctor or physical therapist what exercises you will be doing after surgery and how to use crutches or a walker to walk and go up and down stairs. These exercises and movements will help strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve range of motion.
Your surgeon will likely refer you to physical therapy to help you recover safely.
How long does it take to heal?
Healing is different for each person . Joint replacement surgery healing will vary by joint and will also depend on the individual and the health and strength of the joint and surrounding muscles. The surgeon will advise you on expected healing time and return to activity depending upon your specific situation.
Recovery depends partly on your age, any health issues, how active you were before surgery, and other lifestyle considerations. The prehab before surgery often helps speed the recovery process.
The more you know about preparing for joint replacement surgery, the better your outcome may be. Put effort into getting your body strong, making your home safe, and following your doctor’s advice. Then, after surgery, follow all instructions from your surgeon and physical therapist. The ultimate result will be less pain and increased ability to do the activities you love.
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References
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2023, September). Preparing for joint replacement surgery. OrthoInfo. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/preparing-for-joint-replacement-surgery/
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, January 2). Arthroplasty (joint replacement). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21649-arthroplasty-joint-replacement
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Hip and knee replacement: Preparing for your surgery. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/orthopaedic-surgery/specialty-areas/hip-knee/preparing-for-surgery
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Hip replacement recovery: Q&A with a hip specialist. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/hip-replacement-recovery-qa
Mayo Clinic. (2024, November 15). Knee replacement. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/knee-replacement/about/pac-20385276
University of California San Francisco Health. (n.d.). Preparing for knee replacement surgery. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/preparing-for-knee-replacement-surgery
University of Maryland Medical System. (n.d.). Joint replacement surgery checklist. https://www.umms.org/health-services/orthopedics/joint-replacement/patient-ed/surgery-checklist
This article was written by Sharon Odegaard, edited by Celina Johnson, and clinically reviewed by Jaynie Bjornaraa, PhD, MPH, PT, LAT, ATC, CSCS, CSPS, on August 12, 2025.
