Joint Replacement Rehabilitation

Each year, thousands of Canadians have hip or knee replacement surgery.

Nine out of 10 people have this surgery because they have osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes pain and joint problems by wearing away the smooth cartilage that cushions and protects the joints. The joints become worn. This causes pain, swelling and loss of movement.

Joint replacement surgery can: 

• reduce pain. Sometimes pain disappears completely

• help joints work better so a person has more flexibility and can move more easily

• allow people to get back to “normal.”  Some people are able to sleep without medicine, play sports and do activities they could not do for years before the surgery

Individualized Care for Better Outcomes

At Toronto Rehab we specialize in helping joint replacement patients with more complex health issues or rehabilitation needs.

Our interprofessional health care team works with individuals and their families to an individualized treatment plan that meets their needs and goals. We encourage people to take an active role in their own rehabilitation and support them with the information they need.

Daily rehabilitation is provided to patients from Monday to Friday. They may see up to three or four specialized therapists a day, depending on their needs.

Hip and knee replacement patients are usually discharged after seven to 10 days.
 

Continuing Recovery as an Outpatient

At Toronto Rehab, we also provide a full range of interprofessional rehabilitation care in our outpatient clinics and follow-up clinics to help patients continue the progress they began while in hospital. These services are fully integrated to ensure a smooth transition when people are discharged from hospital.

 

Getting Ready for Surgery

If you are going to have hip or knee replacement surgery, there are things you can do to get ready for surgery.

 

It is also helpful for you to understand what will happen during rehabilitation.