Charity
Home > Resources > Patients and visitors > Day Case Joint Replacement   

Day Case Joint Replacement   

Introduction

This booklet is designed for people who have been referred for an orthopaedic joint replacement procedure to be carried out as a day case at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. This will include information on how you can prepare for your visit, what to expect when you are here and some advice for after your procedure.

Day case joint replacement surgery 

Your Consultant / surgery team has identified that you may be suitable to have your operation done as a day case procedure. This means that the team will aim to discharge you on the day of you operation if safe, therefore you should not need to stay in hospital overnight.

The benefits of day case surgery are fewer complications, faster recovery, you can recover in the comfort of your own home and reduced pressure on the NHS.  

How can I best prepare for day case surgery?

In the months leading up to your operation there are a few things you can do to help you prepare:

  • Please ensure you are contactable by telephone, please let us know as soon as possible if your details have changed.
  • If we have informed you that you need some equipment for home, and this is not in place, please contact the Occupational Therapy team on 0191 445 3125.
  • Please make arrangements for someone to collect you after your operation.
  • Please make arrangements for an adult to stay with you over night when you return home.
  • Please attend the Joint Care Clinic and bring any information with you so you are able to follow the appropriate steps before your surgery.
  • Continue to engage with your Physiotherapy based exercises leading up to your operation.

In the days leading up to your operation it may also be beneficial for you to:

  • Prepare your usual medications and bring them with you so they are available if you need them.
  • Eat balanced meals (including carbohydrates and protein), to help maintain energy levels and have an evening snack the night before (before midnight).
  • Pack and bring your own loosely fitted clothes, including dressing gown and clothes for you to travel home in.
  • Ensure your footwear is well fitted (slip on shoes / slippers / trainers) with backs so you are safe mobilising with the elbow crutches.
  • Ensure you have food in the cupboard / freezer, so you don’t have to worry about shopping or cooking in the early stages of your recovery.
  • Allow yourself some time to think about how you will look after yourself after the operation and is there anything else you need to arrange before your operation.

What will happen on the day of surgery?

Admission

  • On the day of surgery, you will be asked to attend the Peter Smith Surgery Centre (Yellow Zone) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for 7am.
  • You will be taken to the Post-Operative Day Surgery ward (PODS).
  • You will then meet the anaesthetist who will discuss your anaesthesia and may also meet your surgeon to further discuss your surgery.
  • The nursing team will then make sure you are well prepared for surgery.

Theatre

  • You will be taken to theatre.
  • You will spend time in the pre-op area whereby you will be prepared for your anaesthesia
  • When your operation is complete you will spend a short time in recovery while the nurses carry out routine observations to ensure you are recovering as expected.  
  • You will then be transferred to the ward to continue your recovery.

Return to the ward

  • The ward nurses will continue the routine observations to make sure are progressing and will ensure you are feeling well.   
  • You will be encouraged to eat and drink as soon as you feel able.
  • You will be transferred into a chair. 
  • You will be given regular pain relief medication; however, it is important for you to let the nursing team know if you need more.

Therapy Input

  • The physiotherapy team will provide you with an exercise program.
  • The physiotherapy team will assist you out of the chair and assess your walking with appropriate walking aids.
  • They will practice your walking alongside your standing exercises.
  • They will practice your transfers such as on and off the toilet and on and off the bed, together with your lying down exercises. 
  • If needed, you will practice the stairs when safe.

Discharge

  • The nursing staff will check your dressing to ensure everything is ok.
  • You will need to pass urine before you can go home.
  • You need to make sure you have appropriate travel arrangements home and that someone is staying with you over night. 
  • Although we aim to get you home on the day of surgery, you will not be discharged home until you are safe and have met your nursing and rehabilitation goals.