Before Surgery
If joint replacement surgery is the right option for you, Center for Joint Care staff provide comprehensive pre-surgery services.
These services include assessment of your pre-surgery condition and education for you and family members.
Pre-Surgery Assessment
- Complete explanation of your diagnosis and upcoming surgery, along with pre-op classes.
- A customized educational notebook outlining each step, from pre-op to post discharge.
- What to expect during your hospital stay.
- Exercises you'll need to practice after surgery.
- Discharge planning and preparing to return home.
- Answers to your questions.
Community Seminars
The Center for Joint Care also offers monthly community seminars. Check the calendar for more information or call 860.224.5186 for information or to reserve a seat.
After Surgery
The Hospital of Central Connecticut promotes a "wellness" approach to treatment and recovery. We believe you play a key role in ensuring a successful recovery, and our goal is to involve you in your treatment every step of the way. Our recovery efforts focus on education, expectation setting, family involvement and patient interaction.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut has an inpatient unit specially designed for orthopedic and spine patients: our Center for Joint Care for joint replacement patients and Inpatient Surgical Unit for orthopedic and spine patients.
Joint Care Center
Recovery from joint replacement surgery begins at our Center for Joint Care. Each room is private and the unit is on the same floor as the rehabilitation gym.
The Center is staffed by specially trained nurses who focus on controlling your pain and keeping you moving. The unit features an exercise/rehab room staffed by registered physical therapists who work exclusively with joint replacement patients. Occupational therapists also work with patients to help them adjust to daily living in the post-operative period.
During a patient’s stay, which averages 1- 2 days, an orthopedic leadership team member visits patients daily to help ensure that patient care needs are met. The first 12 to 24 hours after surgery are typically the most uncomfortable and the patient is likely to receive medication.
Inpatient Surgical Unit
Our inpatient general orthopedic and spine services unit cares for patients recovering from:
- Fracture repair surgery, including for the ankle, tibia, femur, knee or hips.
- Spinal operations, including fusion to repair a narrowed spine, and for a herniated disc (laminectomy or discectomy).
Surgical team members meet with the patient just before the procedure, and there are two waiting rooms, including one on the inpatient unit, for family members.
Inpatient stay aims for a quick recovery and may be followed up by outpatient physical therapy for orthopedic and spinal conditions, or occupational therapy after shoulder surgery.
Rehabilitation
Hip and knee joint replacement patients assume a vital role in rehabilitation which begins the day of surgery with brief walking aided by a physical therapist.
Shoulder joint patients work primarily with occupational therapists who also help hip and knee joint replacement patients adjust to daily living activities.
A family member or friend who can serve as a "coach" is encouraged to be on-site to help speed recovery.
After Hospital Discharge
Patients go directly home with further assistance available through a home care agency. A care coordinator works with patients to help ensure a smooth transition before hospital discharge.
While treatment course depends on one's particular condition, outpatient therapy is typically two to three times a week for four to six weeks and involves gym and home exercises to increase strength and motion.
If you have any questions after leaving the hospital, our team of professionals is here to assist you so you can get back to enjoying life to its fullest.