Providence Orthopaedics - Joint Replacement - Knee Pathway

DAY 1
(first day after surgery)

DAY 2

DAY 3

Medications

• Pain managed by IV, injections or pills
• IV antibiotics to prevent infection
• Blood thinner possible to prevent blood clots

• Pain managed with pills and/or injections

• Pain managed with pills
• Nurse reviews medications for home

Activity 

• Transfer to chair 3 times with staff assistance
• Ice pack on knee, as tolerated, as much as possible to reduce swelling
• NO PILLOW UNDER KNEE
• Therapist helps you walk with a walker

• Straighten knee when in bed
• Ice pack on knee, as tolerated, as much as possible to reduce swelling
• NO PILLOW UNDER KNEE
• Out of bed for meals and bathing, at least 3 times
• Therapist helps you walk with a walker
• Bend knee; sit with knee bent when in chair
• Ice pack on knee, as tolerated

• Get out of bed independently
• Ice pack on knee, as tolerated, as much as possible to reduce swelling
• Walk 25 to 50 feet with walker or crutches
• Therapist teaches you how to manage stairs safely
• Bend and straighten knee for independence with your home exercise program
• Ice pack on knee, as tolerated

Breathing Exercises

• Deep breathing with breathing exerciser every hour while awake

• Deep breathing with breathing exerciser every hour while awake

• Deep breathing with breathing exerciser every hour while awake

Diet

• Eat as much as you like; Drink water and juices

• Constipation is possible; Eat fruits and vegetables; drink water and juices

• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables; drink water and juices

Bathroom 

• Catheter may be removed today
• Walk to bathroom with assistance 

• Walk to bathroom to build strength and prepare for discharge

• Walk to the bathroom

Self Care

• Feed and bathe yourself, with assistance if necessary
• Dress in street clothes, if possible

• Bathe yourself
• Dress in street clothes

• Therapist teaches you how to manage tub or shower
• Dress and shower independently

Planning Your Return Home  

• Meet with Physical Therapist and review recommendation for discharge

• Work with therapists to identify home equipment needs; Therapists place orders
• Discuss other concerns with therapists
• You may be discharged today based on your progress 

• Nurse reviews instructions for home care
• You will be discharged today