I'm going to take the bull by the horns and start a new thread instead of adding another post to the 454 that exist on the "6 months" thread!
I had both hips replaced several months apart. Going somewhere besides home after the hospital stay was never suggested by me or my physician. The final day of each hospital stay, however, was billed as "rehab". I stayed in the same room, ate the same meals, had PT exercise and OT sessions, etc. The only difference that I noticed between that day and the other three days was that they didn't run in and take my temp and BP every 5 minutes. By that time I was up, walking around (with the walker), wearing regular clothes, eating my meals sitting in a chair, dressing and undressing myself using the various aids and tools, etc.
Looking back, I think it would have been unnecessary for me and in any case, I probably would have hated a rehab center.
I think the decision about the need for spending several days (or weeks) under such care would be influenced by several factors. Among them would be the home situation, whether the person lived alone or had a good social support system, the kind of demands that might be made on the person going directly home such as taking care of other family members, the person's overall health, other comorbidities, characteristics of the housing such as living in a fourth floor with no elevator for example. All this in addition to whatever constraints might be placed by insurance coverage.
Personally, at age 58, with no other health problems and a relatively routine surgery, going directly home 4 days after surgery was not a problem. I am fortunate to have a main floor bedroom, bath, and laundry so the home layout was ideal. Instead of an in-patient rehab stay, my surgeon ordered approx 2 weeks of home visits by a home care nurse and a physical therapist. Each visited about 5 times during a 2-week period. The nurse did whatever blood draws were necessary and removed my staples. After several home visits by the therapist, I was dismissed to go to out-patient PT which I began around week 5. I had prepared my home before the surgeries so that I could be as independent as possible. After the first few days, I was home alone most days and got along fine. My husband took a couple of days off, and checked up on me by phone frequently when he went back to work. I had prepared and frozen meals ahead of time so meal prep was fairly simple. After about a week, I fixed my own breakfast and lunch, and after another week was fixing suppers for both of us (took me forever but I had all the time in the world!) There were no other demands on me as I had hired weekly house cleaning for two months.
I have to agree with most of what Tobias says. I think the decision go to a rehab has to be made on an individual basis. The first week following surgery is really tough, and no one should try it at home alone without plenty of support. However, with proper planning and support it is very doable.
I personally would have done terribly at a Rehab facility. I need to be in my own home and in charge of myself. In fact you couldn't get me out of the hospital fast enough!! But I had done plenty of planning ahead of time (much of that was from info from this board, so our house was set up for my comfort and ease. I had a great support system in place with youngest son home from college to take care of my business (boarding kennel) and DH was able to take a week off work to wait on me hand and foot. As it turned out he had to take a second week off after I had to go back for my second (mistake) surgery, but that is another story. Being in the comfort of your own home with the ones you love has a lot going for it.
But so much depends on the individual. If there are any complications, or health issues, motivation level, age, support and of course insurance. Something to think about and discuss with your surgeon and family well ahead of time. I think the surgeon often makes the recommondation wether or not to go to rehab depending on the patient's situation. My surgeon brought up the fact that it was available to me, but he even said he didn't think I would be a good candidate.
Tobias: I am jealous you had house cleaning for two months!!!! Good idea though.
Hi all,
I am having bilateral THR on November 9 at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in NYC. I am 54 years old and have no other health problems. I am nervous as can be, but also really looking forward to getting rid of trading in these hips for better ones.
I am planning to go to rehab after surgery. The HJD has one floor that is a Rehab Center where people get 3 hours a day of PT and OT. I think it would be difficult to go home right away. I live in a split level house in the suburbs. My children - one away at college, and my high school son busy with school, drivers' ed, sports, SAT preparation, etc. Husband has a very demanding job and could not take off more than a day or two. So I don't think that I would be waited on hand and foot!
I think that it would be easier for me to focus my energies on physical therapy, exercise, etc. if I went to rehab rather than home. My surgeon thinks that for bilateral, that is a good plan.
Hi all,
I am having bilateral THR on November 9 at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in NYC. I am 54 years old and have no other health problems. I am nervous as can be, but also really looking forward to getting rid of trading in these hips for better ones.
I am planning to go to rehab after surgery. The HJD has one floor that is a Rehab Center where people get 3 hours a day of PT and OT. I think it would be difficult to go home right away. I live in a split level house in the suburbs. My children - one away at college, and my high school son busy with school, drivers' ed, sports, SAT preparation, etc. Husband has a very demanding job and could not take off more than a day or two. So I don't think that I would be waited on hand and foot!
I think that it would be easier for me to focus my energies on physical therapy, exercise, etc. if I went to rehab rather than home. My surgeon thinks that for bilateral, that is a good plan.
Chavela, from your description of your surgery (bilateral) and your busy family, I agree with your assessment of your need to spend some time in a rehab center before heading home.
Good luck with the surgery.
Initially when the decision to have my left hip replaced last year was made, there was no talk of a rehab facility. So, I never thought to ask!! However when I went to my doctor's for the pre-op exam he asked me "where I was going to do my rehab" and this opened up an brand new ballgame. He sat me down and explained the pro's and con's about rehab and it sounded as if it would be a good idea for me. He explained that I would be getting 3x more therepy there than the hospital or home, and occupational therepy was also given so I would be better able to care for myself. I checked with my insurance and found that I was covered completely.
Unfortuantely I had no therepy at the hospital at all. I had a bad reaction to one of the pain meds which caused my blood pressure to drop suddenly anytime I tried to get up. I actually passed out the day after the proceedure and found myself in ICU for the night. I tried to tell them I had no heart or pressure problem but they had to rule several things out. By the time they changed the meds and the pressure stablized I was being discharged. Anyway I was transferred to The Burk Rehabiliation Hospital in White Plains New York and it was the best experience in my life. I had two 45 minute sessions of PT a day along with 2 sessions of OT. By the time I was released, I was more able to care for myself and less of a burden to my family. Now I know for sure that when it's time for the other hip, I'll definately be better prepared for what's going to happen.
, so our house was set up for my comfort and ease. I had a great support system in place with youngest son home from college to take care of my business (boarding kennel) and DH was able to take a week off work to wait on me hand and foot. As it turned out he had to take a second week off after I had to go back for my second (mistake) surgery, but that is another story. Being in the comfort of your own home with the ones you love has a lot going for it.
I tried to tell them I had no heart or pressure problem but they had to rule several things out. By the time they changed the meds and the pressure stablized I was being discharged. Anyway I was transferred to The Burk Rehabiliation Hospital in White Plains New York and it was the best experience in my life. I had two 45 minute sessions of PT a day along with 2 sessions of OT. By the time I was released, I was more able to care for myself and less of a burden to my family. Now I know for sure that when it's time for the other hip, I'll definately be better prepared for what's going to happen.
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