Have a written plan from the team at the hospital and the name of a designated person to be your liaison to the doctor and community-based services such as physical therapy. Check with your doctor and team as to when you can start with your exercise program again. Orthopedic surgery offers great benefits to people with arthritis. Before an operation, you need to be sure that your expectations are in line with what is realistic. Your attitude must be positive, and you must be ready to accept pain after the surgery.
Exercise is even more important after surgery than before surgery.
You must be sure that your health insurance will cover you. Joint replacement has brought enormous joy to the lives of thousands of arthritis sufferers by eliminating pain and improving motion. This allows the person with arthritis to be mobile and enjoy independent living. From The Arthritis Sourcebook , by arrangement with NTC Contemporary Publishing Group. All rights reserved.