citizensmemorial.com 11 5 ways to prepare for a joint replacement surgery Olivia Cumley, DNP, FNP-C, starts each workday at the hospital by checking on patients after orthopedic surgeries, coordinating their care and planning for discharge. In the afternoons, she meets with patients planning for an upcoming surgery, helping them understand what will happen during surgery and recovery. As the orthopedic patient navigator at the CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center, Cumley is a liaison between the patients and surgeons. Her goal is for patients to be well-informed and have the best possible outcomes through a personalized experience. “I don’t want anyone going into the hospital saying, ‘I didn’t know about that,’” she says. Cumley gives five tips for patients to have the best outcome after surgery. Do you have joint pain that isn’t going away? Our orthopedic experts at the CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center can help with a variety of treatment options. Call 417-777‑2663 for more information. Cumley is the main point of contact for patients from when they decide on surgery through their recovery. “I like patients to be on a first-name basis with me,” she says. “If I can’t answer their question directly, I will find out the answer and get back to them.” Have a support system in place. One of the most important things after surgery is a good support system. We want a safe discharge plan for all patients. 1 2 3 4 5 Olivia Cumley, DNP, FNP-C Have realistic pain expectations. We talk a lot about pain and what to expect during recovery. Be ready for physical therapy. The surgeons do a great job replacing the joint. Then, the patient’s hard work begins. We need them to give 100% in therapy. The first few weeks are the most important. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Be active. We often ask patients to start their post-operative exercises before their surgery. It helps them understand what they’re lacking and what they need. It gives them a baseline. Prepare your home. Do you need adaptive equipment? Can you use the entry to your house during recovery? Do you need changes to your bathroom or bedroom setup? We can look at all of these ahead of time to make changes or order adaptive equipment in advance.
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