Total knee replacement: What to expect at the hospital and what to consider about visitors

Here's what to expect when you go to the hospital for total knee replacement surgery.

A nurse will meet with you to complete your care plan and review what you can expect before and after your surgery.
You will be given hospital clothing to wear.
Family members can wait with you in the pre-surgery area before surgery.
When you go to the operating room, your family will be directed to the surgery waiting room.
The surgery time varies from one hour to several hours. The surgeon will talk with your family when your surgery is over.

Visits from family and friends

The first few days after your surgery are filled with lots of activity as you learn how to use your new knee. Your health care team will balance this activity with rest periods. Family and friend support is also essential to your healthy recovery and should be balanced with your rest needs.

The hospital is often the best place to get the rest you need to feel strong enough to return home. For this reason, you may prefer to ask visitors to see you and your family after you go home. Each hospital area has different visitor rules, so check with your health care team about rules for your care unit.