Vernon Jubilee Hospital - Hip and Knee Program

While preparing for your surgery please watch the two educational videos below. These videos will help you to understand what to do while you are waiting for your surgery. Please watch these videos as early as possible on your hip or knee replacement journey. 

The Surgical Optimization Passport can be printed as a guide for your various appointment through out your joint replacement journey. Please print as needed.

Video - Surgical Optimization Class #1

Video - Living your best life with Osteoarthritis

Surgical Optimization Passport

You will be contacted once a date and time for your procedure is known. Please contact your specialist’s office if your health changes or you decide not to have your hip or knee replacement surgery.

To manage our waitlists, we would like to inform you that your place on the waitlist may change if:

• You are unavailable for more than six months
• You are offered a procedure date and decline it more than three times
• You cancel your procedure or do not arrive the day of your surgery

If you have any questions or need to update your contact information or availability please call Vernon Jubilee Hospital Surgical Booking Office at 250-541-3525.

Now that you have a surgical date, please watch the following videos, which will prepare you for your surgery:

Video - Surgical Optimization Class 2
For all patients receiving a joint

Video - Hip Replacement
For all patients having a hip replacement

Video - Knee Replacement
For all patients having a knee replacement

Equipment

Having the appropriate mobility aids available is mandatory while you are getting your balance and strength back. We cannot know for sure which equipment you require until we see how you are moving and walking after surgery, and therefore we require that you have everything you might need available (and check installation) at least one week prior to your surgery day to avoid any discharge delays or complications. You will need the following equipment:

• Crutches
• Two-wheeled walker. Note that a four-wheeled walker is not suitable until directed by your physiotherapist.
• Raised toilet seat: Should fit your toilet shape, round or elongated, and bring the toilet height higher than your knee

If you can borrow, rent or purchase any of the required and/or recommended equipment from friends, family, or medical equipment vendors, please do so, as long as it is in good condition and is the correct style of walker/crutches.

If you have no alternative resources, the items can be requested on your behalf (you can not just walk in and borrow) for a short-term loan from the Red Cross medical equipment loan service at no cost to you. 

You will receive an email prior to your surgery to discuss your equipment needs and to complete Red Cross paperwork if needed.

View list of Vernon area medical vendors

• The day before your surgery a clerk will call you between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. with your arrival time and instructions. If your surgery is on a Monday they will call the Friday before. 
• Arrival may be as early as 6:15 a.m., so please make suitable arrangements
• You must have a ride to and from the hospital arranged and a responsible adult to stay with you on discharge for a minimum of 72 hours
• DO NOT eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery
• Have a shower the night before AND the morning of surgery

• DO NOT eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery
• Have a shower the morning of surgery
• DO NOT put on any scented products. Deodorant is okay.
• Please DO take your medications as you were advised on the phone with the Nurse or Anaesthesiologist on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water
• Please review the resources tab with important information about your surgery

Patient Reminder Handout

• One week after discharge, the Nurse Navigator will call to provide support and answer any questions
• Upon discharge, call your surgeon’s office for a follow up appointment between ten to fourteen days after surgery at the VJH Ortho Clinic. Here your staples will be removed and you will be assessed by the Nurse Navigator and your Surgeon.
• Six weeks after your surgery your surgeon will want to see you for a follow up appointment. Please call your surgeon’s office to book this visit.

• If you had your knee replaced, you can expect a phone call from physio around the first week at home.
• At VJH we aim to have your first physiotherapy appointment booked within 5-10 days, Physiotherapy can offer a telehealth appointment, to assess progress and address any questions or concerns. If you are being seen at any other facility, wait times may vary.
• Within two weeks of discharge, you will be offered a follow up appointment in the Physiotherapy outpatient clinic at VJH. You will then be offered weekly or bi-weekly physiotherapy rehabilitation appointment(s).
• After six weeks you may graduate to Joint Works exercise classes. These classes will help with reintroduction into higher level activities.
   

Before During and After Knee Joint Replacement Surgery

Blood Clots

It’s Okay to Ask

Knee Acute 0-3 Exercises

Surgical Safety Checklist

Deep Breathing

Pain Management

Same Day Admit

Mepilex Dressing

Hip and Knee Discharge Information

Patient Reminder Handout

Surgical Optimization Class 2 Handout

Knee Surgery (ERAS) - Precare Health

Proper Leg Elevation
 

Before During and After Hip Joint Replacement Surgery

Proof Direct Superior Approach Booklet

Blood Clots

Early Hip Exercises

Early Hip Exercises Pamphlet

It’s Okay to Ask

Surgical Safety Checklist

Deep Breathing

Pain Management

Same Day Admit

Mepilex Dressing

Hip and Knee Discharge Information

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Ensure Club

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pre-Operative Instructions

Patient Reminder Handout

Surgical Optimization Class 2 Handout

Sock Aid

Hip Surgery (ERAS) - Precare Health

Proper Leg Elevation