Total Joint Replacement Surgery
Joints can become damaged as a result of injury or a medical condition like arthritis. When your joints are damaged, you may be in pain or find it hard to perform daily activities. Sometimes, nonsurgical treatments like medications or physical therapy may relieve your pain and help you regain motion. But if they are not successful, your doctor may recommend joint replacement surgery.
What is joint replacement surgery?
During joint replacement surgery, the damaged or arthritic joint is removed and replaced with a prosthesis. The prosthesis is a metal, plastic or ceramic device designed to move like a healthy joint.
Why choose UNC Health Rex for joint replacement?
UNC Health Rex performs more total joint replacement surgeries every year than any hospital in the Triangle. We’ve been accredited since 2023 by the Joint Commission, which partners with organizations that consistently improve outcomes for patients. Becker’s Hospital Review ranks UNC Health Rex at #4 in the country for having the lowest readmission rates within 30 days of discharge for knee and hip replacement patients.
Types of joint replacement surgeries
UNC Health Rex offers joint replacement surgeries that include:
- Knee replacement
- Hip replacement
- Shoulder replacement
Pre-operative joint replacement classes
Learn more about the care you’ll need following your joint replacement procedure. We offer free preparation classes for your convenience:
No registration is required. For more information, call 919-784-7760.
What to expect
Knowing what to expect on the day of your surgery and during your recovery in the hospital can help you feel more prepared.
Day of surgery timeline
- On the day of your surgery, you will first register at the front desk. Go in the main entrance of the hospital, and the registration desk will be on your right.
- Once you have finished registration, you will move to the pre-operative area, where you will be prepped for surgery.
- Finally, you will be moved to surgery. Surgery is on the sixth floor in the patient tower at UNC Rex Hospital and the fifth and sixth floors of Rex Holly Springs Hospital.
- Surgery typically lasts one to two hours.
- After surgery is complete, the surgeon will talk to your family or caregiver in the main surgical waiting room.
- You will spend between one and four hours in recovery.
- Some patients will go home on the day of surgery.
What to bring
- Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. We’ll provide non-skid socks. Bring supportive shoes with a closed heel. Avoid flip-flops and bedroom slippers.
- Personal items: Bring personal hygiene products and undergarments.
- Assistive devices: Bring any assistive devices you may need, such as glasses, dentures, hearing aids, a CPAP or a walker.
- Advance directive: Bring a copy of your living will or your healthcare power of attorney, if you have either.
What not to bring
- Valuables: Don’t bring unnecessary valuables, such as jewelry.
- Home medications: Medications from home will be allowed by physician order only if the hospital pharmacy cannot provide the medication or a suitable substitute.
Visitation
Visitation hours are subject to change. Check with each hospital for current restrictions.
Physical therapy
Your first session of physical therapy is usually the day of your surgery. Your physical therapist will see you as needed to help you walk and move more easily. If you are getting a hip replacement, your physical therapist will teach you how to follow "hip precautions," which will help prevent a hip dislocation after surgery.
Important
Please plan to have someone at home with you around the clock for at least the first few days after surgery.
My UNC Chart sign-up
Please sign up for My UNC Chart. It offers you personalized and secure online access to your electronic medical records. You’ll also want to mark your calendar for one year from your joint replacement surgery date — that’s when you’ll get an email to answer with an important survey about how you're doing since your surgery. The message will come via MyChart and is a requirement of Medicare and other insurance programs. Medicare and other insurance programs.
For assistance signing up for My UNC Chart, call 888-996-2767. Learn more with our My UNC Chart Sign-Up Guide.
