What is the McLaren Joint Express Program?
McLaren’s Joint Express Program helps prepare patients who elect to have a knee or hip replacement how to have the best possible outcome, a quick recovery, and a faster return to daily living. Patients attend a preoperative education class where representatives from nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, blood conservation, case management and nutritional services cover what you can expect before and after surgery.

What are the major risks associated with Joint Replacement Surgery?
Most joint replacements go well without complications. Two complications your clinicians will watch for are blood clots and infection. In an effort to avoid these health concerns you will be given antibiotics and blood thinners.

How long will I be in the hospital?
Most people are well enough to be discharged two days after their surgery.

How long will I need to use my walker, cane or crutches?
Your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist will give you a recovery plan before you leave the hospital.

When can I use the stairs?
You should be able to go up and down stairs as soon as your therapist deems it appropriate. Your therapist will assist you in performing the stairs safely during your treatment in the hospital. The number of stairs that you have to perform at home are the number of stairs you will perform in therapy.

When can I drive?
If your surgery is on the left leg, you should be safe to drive as long as you are off of narcotic pain medication (assuming you are driving an automatic transmission). If your surgery is on the right leg, you should wait six to eight weeks after surgery before resuming driving.

When can I return to work?
Most patients are cleared by their physician in eight weeks to return to work, however, this is dependent upon your work related physical demands.

When can I shower?
Most patients can resume showering activities upon discharge from the hospital but you are instructed to avoid immersing the surgical wound in water. DO NOT take a soaking bath.

When can I resume sports activities?
Most patients are able to resume low impact sporting activities in approximately 8 to 12 weeks. High impact sporting activities must be cleared by your surgeon.