North Country Orthopaedic Ambulatory Surgery Center
(315) 782-1650
Wound Care Center
Patient Portal Login
Online Bill Pay
  • Home
  • Contact Us – Closings & Delays
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • In The News
  • Meet the Providers
    • Orthopedics
    • Physical Medicine & Rehab
    • Physical Therapy
    • Endocrinology
    • Wound Care
    • North Star Pediatrics
  • Services & Specialties
    • General Orthopedics
    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Sports Medicine
    • Total Joint Replacement Surgery
    • Spine Program
    • Foot & Ankle
    • Physical Medicine & Rehab
    • Physical Therapy
    • Radiology
    • Endocrinology
    • Wound Care Center
    • Pediatric Clinics
  • Surgical Center
  • Patient Forms
    • Financial Assistance
  • Blog

Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Tips to Prepare for a Total Joint Replacement Surgery

If you have severe arthritis, a sports-related orthopedic issue, or have suffered a traumatic injury to a joint, you may be a candidate for a joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty).

While total joint replacement surgery is highly successful for most patients, careful preoperative prep can speed up your healing, rehabilitation, and long-term success of these amazing surgeries.

Here are tips to help you ready yourself for total joint replacement of the shoulder, hip, or knee.

Tip #1: Do Some “Prehab”

What’s prehab? It’s physical conditioning that occurs prior to orthopedic surgery. The flipside of rehab is prehab can be done at home, with a physical therapist at our offices, or in both places.

Prehab aims to improve your:

  • Muscular strength
  • Cardiovascular endurance
  • Ability to heal

Also, simply engaging in a more active lifestyle can help you avoid the many pitfalls of living a sedentary life. So, within your ability, make time to regularly move throughout your day.

Tip #2: Be Nutrition-Conscious

There may be specific supplements or foods your orthopedic surgeon wishes you to avoid prior to surgery. Be sure to pay careful attention to his instructions.

Beyond that, in preparation for your total joint replacement surgery, you should eat a balanced diet with an eye toward:

  • Good hydration
  • Eating lots of fiber, particularly via fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Choosing low-fat protein and dairy options

If you need to shed a few pounds, track your average daily caloric intake to ensure you stay at or below the recommended 2,000 – 2,500 calories per day.

Tip #3: Stop Smoking

Cigarettes restrict blood flow, which can negatively impact your body’s ability to heal. Smoking also increases your risk of blood clots. This is why healthcare providers urge their patients who smoke to stop prior to surgery, especially for patients planning to undergo total joint replacement surgery.

If you need help quitting, ask your doctor for suggestions. Smoking cessation programs that involve a combination of medication, behavioral modification techniques, and counseling have excellent success rates in helping people quit the habit for good.

Tip #4: Know What to Expect

Your orthopedic surgeon and support team will instruct you on what to do on the days before surgery as well as the day of your procedure. Also, they will outline your steps to recovery, including your:

  • Pain management plan
  • Expected hospital stay
  • Bandage and surgical wound care
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy, including the use of assistive devices
  • Return to work, sports, driving, and more

Tip #5: Enlist a Care Partner

Don’t try to recover from total joint replacement surgery alone. You’ll need a trusted and committed partner who can be there for you on the day of your surgery and during your recovery. Make sure this person, or others who you can count on, will be able to drive you to your follow-up appointments at the orthopedic office and to your physical therapy sessions.

Also, you likely will need assistance with bathing and dressing for a short period of time. Errand-running and meal preparation are additional valuable services you should outsource to your care partner.

Superior Total Joint Replacement Surgeries and Recovery in Watertown, NY

At North Country Orthopaedic Group in Watertown, New York, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are Dr. Bruce Baird, Dr. Steven Fish, and Dr. D. Peter Van Eenenaam. Each is highly experienced in joint arthroplasty, with the skills, training, and temperament you need for successful shoulder, knee, or hip replacement.

If you’re interested in a joint replacement or have questions about upcoming surgery and recovery, please contact us at (315) 782-1650, and we’ll set up an appointment for you. Or you can request an appointment online. At North County Orthopaedic Group, we’re here to make your surgery and recovery as smooth as possible.

Footer

Patient Education

Packed with over 200 conditions and treatments, our award-winning patient education library is at your fingertips.

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cyber Announcement
  • Sitemap
  • Non-discrimination Notice
  • Meet the Providers
  • Orthopedics
  • Physical Medicine & Rehab
  • Physical Therapy
  • Endocrinology
  • Services & Specialties
  • General Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Total Joint Replacement
  • Spine Program
  • Foot & Ankle
  • Physical Medicine & Rehab
  • Physical Therapy
  • Radiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Surgery
  • Surgical Center
  • Patient Forms
  • Contact Us
image Request an Appointment
Patient Portal Login
Online Bill Pay
North Country Orthopaedic Group
1571 Washington Street, Suite 201
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: (315) 782-1650
Clinic Fax: (315) 836-2292
Business Fax: (315) 785-6874
Physical Therapy
1571 Washington Street, Suite 106
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: (315) 836-2268
Fax: (315) 836-2270
Diabetes, Osteoporosis & Endocrine Center
1571 Washington Street, Suite 104
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: (315) 786-0224
Fax: (315) 836-2210
Copyright © North Country Orthopaedic Group. All rights reserved.
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

The multi-specialty medical team at North Country Orthopaedic Group provide treatment for a full spectrum of injuries and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. Our areas of expertise include general orthopedics, pediatric orthopedics, sports medicine, total joint replacement surgery, a spine program, foot and ankle care, physical medicine & rehab, physical therapy, radiology, and endocrinology. In addition, North Country Orthopaedic Group performs many surgeries and interventional procedures in our ambulatory surgical center in Watertown, NY.

Copyright © 2025 · iHealthSpot Barebones On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in