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Most people don't think much about their hips or knees until the pain starts getting in the way. What begins as occasional discomfort can gradually make it harder to walk the dog, keep up with family activities or tackle everyday tasks that once felt effortless.
For many people, there comes a point when they start asking, Is my joint pain bad enough to consider surgery? Even when pain is limiting daily life, uncertainty about recovery and what comes next can make joint replacement feel overwhelming, leading many people to delay treatment for months or even years.
The good news? Patients don't have to navigate that decision alone. Eric Lowe, RN, joint care coordinator at Community Health Network's Center for Joint Health, shares how they help patients prepare for every stage of joint replacement, from surgery planning to recovery at home.
Joint replacement involves more than the procedure itself. Education, planning and recovery support all play an important role in the patient experience.
At the Center for Joint Health, patients are paired with a dedicated joint care coordinator who helps coordinate the education, planning and resources needed throughout the joint replacement journey. With more than 18 years of experience supporting joint replacement patients, these coordinators serve as trusted partners.
"Joint care coordinators help patients and their families before surgery with education, discharge planning and equipment needs," Lowe explains. "We're really the advocate for the patient."
Once surgery is on the calendar, the focus shifts to preparation. Leading up to the procedure, patients complete two important appointments designed to help them feel ready and set the stage for a successful recovery.
1. Joint Replacement Education Class
2. Preoperative Optimization Clinic
Together, these appointments give patients the knowledge to feel prepared and confident heading into surgery.
According to Lowe, many patients are surprised to learn that the work leading to a successful outcome starts weeks ahead of their procedure.
Long before they enter the operating room, patients can take steps to strengthen their bodies, understand the process and build a strong support network for recovery.
Patients begin a structured "pre-hab" program approximately three to four weeks ahead of surgery. This series of daily exercises is designed to strengthen the muscles that support the hips and knees to help patients regain mobility.
The goal is simple: the stronger the muscles are at the time of surgery, the smoother recovery can be afterward.
Nutrition and hydration are equally important parts of the preparation process. "We talk about making sure you're drinking enough fluids and eating foods rich in protein," Lowe emphasizes.
As surgery approaches, patients are encouraged to drink at least 64 ounces of fluids daily and follow additional recommendations designed to support recovery.
For many patients, anxiety has less to do with surgery itself and more to do with uncertainty: Am I going to be in pain? How long will I be in the hospital? Will I go home the same day?
The education class is designed to answer those questions before surgery ever happens.
"When patients understand what to expect, it relieves a lot of that fear of the unknown,” Lowe notes.
Patients are encouraged to bring a caregiver, family member or friend to the education class. Lowe refers to these individuals as a patient's "coach."
"Professional athletes have coaches," he says. "We want our patients to have coaches, too."
By educating both the patient and their support person, everyone involved understands what recovery will look like and how to assist after they return home.
Getting ready for joint replacement surgery isn't just about exercises and planning ahead. It's also about making sure there are no unexpected issues that could affect your surgery or recovery.
During Community's optimization clinic, patients undergo testing and an evaluation designed specifically for joint replacement candidates. This may include lab work, MRSA screening, cardiology evaluations and other assessments based on a patient's health history.
Lowe shared a recent example of a patient whose heart rate was found to be dangerously low during a pre-op evaluation. Because the issue was identified early, it was treated and resolved before the procedure took place, helping reduce the risk of complications.
For patients with additional risk factors, Community's integrated network can provide coordinated referrals to specialists and services needed to safely move forward with surgery. Rather than navigating those connections alone, the care team helps guide them to the resources they need.
No two patients have the same needs, which is why preparation plans are individualized.
Joint care coordinators help tailor support based on each patient's individual situation, which include working through basic home recovery planning:
“Everything's in-house," Lowe says, noting that Community offers coordinated access to education, therapy, home health services and medical equipment.
One of the biggest surprises for many patients is how quickly recovery begins after joint replacement surgery. According to Lowe, more than 95% of joint replacement procedures are performed in an outpatient setting, and about 70% of patients return home the same day.
In fact, most patients are up and moving within 90 minutes of surgery. Before heading home, physical therapists help patients stand, walk, navigate stairs and safely get in and out of a vehicle.
"You're not necessarily back to normal life immediately," Lowe explains, "but you're doing many of your everyday activities the same day."
Recovery milestones vary, but many patients begin working toward important mobility goals right away. Depending on their job duties, some patients may also return to work within a few weeks.
It's also important to remember that arthritis pain and surgical pain are not the same. "The surgical pain is temporary," Lowe says. "Once that heals, the arthritis pain is gone."
Leaving the hospital doesn't mean you're on your own. In fact, some of the most important support happens during the first few weeks of recovery at home.
Patients are enrolled in MyChart Care Companion, an electronic outreach program that begins 30 days before surgery and continues for 30 days afterward. During the first two weeks of recovery, patients receive daily check-ins that track pain levels, recovery progress, incision concerns and other important indicators.
If a response suggests a potential issue, the care team is alerted so they can follow up quickly. In some cases, patients can even upload photos of their incision directly through MyChart for review.
Combined with home health services, outpatient therapy, the surgeon’s office, discharge support and direct coordinator access, this ongoing communication helps patients remain connected to their care team throughout recovery.
Many patients believe they should postpone joint replacement surgery for as long as possible.
However, advancements in joint replacement technology mean today's implants are lasting longer, allowing patients to experience relief sooner rather than continuing to live with pain that limits their daily lives.
Another misconception is that surgery alone determines the outcome. While joint replacement can be life-changing, a successful recovery also depends on the work patients put in before and after surgery. Preparation, rehabilitation and active participation throughout the recovery process all play an important role in achieving the best possible results.
When people think about joint replacement, they often focus on the procedure itself. But Lowe believes surgery is only one piece of the story.
"The actual joint replacement itself takes between 60 and 75 minutes," he says. "It's the before and the after that make the difference."
That philosophy shapes Community's approach. From education classes and medical optimization to recovery monitoring and personalized care, our joint coordinators help patients prepare for surgery, recover with confidence and return to the activities they enjoy.
Whether you're just beginning to explore treatment options or preparing for an upcoming procedure, the team at Community's Center for Joint Health is here to support you every step of the way.
From experienced joint replacement providers to dedicated joint care coordinators who help guide patients throughout the journey, you'll have access to a comprehensive team focused on helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about Community Health Network's Hip and Knee Joint Replacement program and the resources available to support your path to better mobility:
About Eric Lowe, RN
Eric Lowe, MBA-HCA, RN, is the joint care coordinator for the Center for Joint Health at Community Hospital East in Indianapolis. He also serves as joint replacement manager for Community Health Network.
Eric began his nursing career in the operating room, where he gained extensive experience as a circulating and scrub nurse for orthopedic procedures, including hip, knee and shoulder replacements. He is a member of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses and has presented at the organization’s national congress. He has also presented at Community Health Network’s research symposium, sharing the multidisciplinary approach to improving joint replacement outcomes.
Eric is passionate about joint replacement care and continually looks for ways to improve outcomes for patients undergoing surgery. He earned his bachelor of science in nursing from Indiana University School of Nursing in 2008 and his master of business administration with a focus on healthcare administration from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2017.
Eric was raised in Lebanon, Indiana, and now lives in Mooresville with his wife and five children. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing and attending his children’s activities.
