Physical and occupational therapy can be provided in a number of settings.

• In-home therapy.

• Some individuals are able to receive physical therapy and occupational therapy at home. They generally do not live alone and have family support available 24/7. If your personal situation is not conducive to a discharge home, then a short-term care setting may be the right choice for recovery.

• Short-term rehabilitation.

• Working with your doctor, the therapy team helps identify your therapeutic needs and designs a program to achieve goals that enable a safe return home. New, high-tech rehab equipment aids in recovery. The typical short-term rehab stay is between 14-100 days and is generally covered by Medicare skilled nursing benefits. After discharge from a short-term rehabilitation stay, find out if outpatient physical therapy is available should additional services be required after returning home.

• Outpatient physical therapy services.

• If you age, living conditions, and family support are sufficient, therapy in an outpatient setting might be indicated. Because you will rely on others to take you to your physical therapy treatments, clinic providers will work with you and your driver to coordinate your appointments.

• Be prepared to move around during your physical therapy session.

• Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in. If you have shoulder pain, wear a shirt or tank top that allows access to your shoulder or arm. Knee-shorts or wide-leg pants that can be pulled up over the knee should be worn if our reconstruction involved the hip, knee or ankle. Be aware that, if you’ve had surgery on a lower extremity, increased edema can cause the need for a larger sized shoe. For therapy involving the lower extremities, wear athletic shoes to perform exercises. This footwear will provide support, stability, and enhance safety during your sessions.

• Talk to you doctor about rehabilitation from your replacement surgery.

• Listen to their recommendations and research the physical therapy clinics and facilities in your area. If you will be discharged to a short-term rehabilitation facility, make an appointment to tour a few campuses that interest you.

• Are the accommodations pleasant?

• Is the staff friendly and helpful?

• Talk to former patients about their experiences.

• Would they recommend the facility?

• Were they kept engaged with activities and social interactions?

• Did they like the dining options and other amenities.

• During your selection process, meet some of the licensed physical therapists that will be in charge of designing and executing your rehabilitation program and follow-up care. Once you have selected a rehabilitation provider, notify your doctor and hospital discharge planner so they can coordinate your transition seamlessly. You’ve done your homework, now you can take your recovery one day at a time with confidence.