BOPDHB Patient Resources Hip and Knee joint replacement book - June 2016 | Page 42

In hospital

The second day after your operation – Day 2
You’re on your way to being as
independent as possible after your
surgery. You will need less help with
tasks such as washing, dressing and
walking to the toilet, and you may be
able to manage most of this on your
own.
On day two after your operation you can
expect the following to happen:
• You will be seen by a doctor from the
Orthopaedic Team.
• You will continue to receive regular oral medication.
• Your pain pump (patient controlled analgesia), if not stopped
yesterday, may now be removed.
• You will be encouraged to wash, dress and toilet yourself as
independently as possible.
• You will need to dress in your own clothes.
• You will sit out of bed for all your meals.
• Your physiotherapist or their assistant will visit you at least once
a day to help with your exercises and supervise your walking.
• Your physiotherapist may also take you up and down some
stairs to check you are safe to do this.
• You may receive a visit from a social worker to assess any
social needs for your discharge.
• Your occupational therapist may assess your ability to manage
essential everyday tasks. This may include transfers on and off
a bed, chair and toilet. They will also ensure that you can wash
and dress yourself in line with post-operative hip precautions.

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• Your occupational therapist may also issue you with any further
equipment you may need at home.