What happens before, during, and after TMJ total joint replacement surgery?
There are three main components to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery at Penn Medicine:
- Preparation for surgery
- Care during your hospital stay
- Recovery after discharge
Before surgery, you can expect the following:
- Your surgeon will recommend educational materials about TMJ total joint replacement surgery.
- You’ll receive a health optimization, which can include a nutritional screening, smoking cessation, coordination of medications, and management with any of your other providers.
- You and your care team will review pre-admission, admission, and follow-up schedules.
- Your care team will explain and review your physical therapy regimen.
While you’re in the hospital, your care team will work with you on the following:
- Using medications to manage pain
- Early use of the TheraBite for physical therapy
- Early mobility (i.e., getting up out of bed)
- Early nutritional guidance and an unrestricted diet
After you leave the hospital, you’ll follow personalized discharge instructions from your care team, but you can expect the following:
- You’ll be sent home with the same medications you used to manage your pain while in the hospital.
- You’ll have an unrestricted diet.
- You’ll be expected to begin physical therapy immediately, including using the TheraBite given to you in the hospital five times each day.
- You’ll schedule a follow-up appointment for one week after surgery. You’ll also be expected to attend follow-up visits after one, three, and six months and one year after your surgery.