Patient Education
You don't have to figure this out alone.
These guides explain joint care step by step — from the first ache to walking again. They are written for older adults and the families who support them at the University of Hong Kong.
Patients who understand their condition before surgery recover faster, stay calmer, and ask better questions in clinic.
Not sure where to start?
Four guides to your care
Pick the topic that matches where you are. Each guide answers the questions we hear most often in clinic.
Arthritis basics
Learn the difference between "wear and tear" and inflammatory arthritis. Understand why your knee hurts more in the morning, and which daily habits actually slow joint damage.
- Morning stiffness vs. activity pain
- When X-rays help and when they don't
- Simple exercises that protect joints
Joint replacement
When is the right time? What actually happens during surgery? How long until you can climb stairs again? We answer the questions patients ask — not the textbook version.
- How surgeons decide you're ready
- What "robot-assisted" really means
- Risks explained in plain language
Recovery & rehab
Day-by-day expectations for the first six weeks. Pain tips that work. Warning signs to call your doctor. And the one mistake almost everyone makes during rehab.
- What normal pain vs. worrying pain feels like
- Home setup: bathroom, bed, stairs
- When you can drive and travel again
Comics center
Big pictures, simple words. Ten visual chapters covering everything from "Is my implant safe?" to "When can I fly again?" Perfect for sharing with family.
- Myths vs. facts about joint implants
- X-ray, CT, MRI explained visually
- Infection and loosening warning signs
Questions we hear every week
Straight answers to the worries patients bring to clinic.
Will the surgery hurt a lot?
Modern pain control works well. Most patients say the first 2–3 days are uncomfortable, not unbearable. By day 5–7, many are surprised by how manageable it feels.
Will I walk normally again?
Yes — most people walk without aids by 4–6 weeks. A natural gait often returns by 3 months. The key is sticking to your physio exercises, even when they feel slow.
How long will I stay in hospital?
Typically 0–2 days for knee replacement, 0–2 days for hip. It depends on your general health, mobility before surgery, and how well pain is controlled.
Can I keep taking my usual pills?
Most heart, blood pressure, and diabetes medications continue. Blood thinners and some supplements need adjustment. Your surgeon will review your list at the pre-op visit.
What should my family prepare at home?
Remove loose rugs and clutter. Set up a bedroom on the ground floor if possible. Stock easy meals. A raised toilet seat and shower chair make the first two weeks much easier.
When can I travel or see my grandchildren?
Short visits are fine after 2–3 weeks. Flying long-haul usually waits until 6 weeks. The main rule: avoid sitting still for more than an hour without walking.
What recovery really looks like
A honest timeline — no sugar-coating, no scare tactics.
In hospital
Pain is managed with medication. You'll stand and take a few steps with a walker by day 1 or 2. Nurses help with wound care and show you how to use crutches.
Weeks at home
Swelling peaks around day 5, then eases. You'll do daily exercises. A helper cooks and cleans. Sleep may be broken — this is normal and improves week by week.
Gaining independence
Walking further. Many stop using a cane. You may start driving short distances. Pain medication drops to occasional use. The biggest risk now is doing too much, too soon.
Back to life
Most activities return — shopping, swimming, gentle hiking. The joint continues to improve for up to 12 months. Regular walks and strength work keep the result lasting.
Before-surgery checklist
Clothing
Loose front-button shirts and elastic-waist trousers. Avoid anything that pulls over the head.
Home safety
Remove loose rugs and cables. Add night-lights to the bathroom hallway. Clear a wide path from bed to toilet.
Food & supplies
Stock 2 weeks of easy meals. Buy a long-handled shoehorn and a grabber tool. A raised toilet seat helps enormously.
Medications
Bring a full list to your pre-op visit. Don't stop anything without asking. Arrange a pill organizer for the first week.
For families & caregivers
If you are reading this for your parent or spouse — thank you. The support you provide in the first two weeks is one of the strongest predictors of a smooth recovery.
Your job is not to be a nurse. It is to be a gentle reminder: take the medication, do the exercises, and don't try to be "brave" by skipping pain relief.
Cook simple meals. Nutrition matters for healing. Protein-rich soups, eggs, and soft fruit are ideal.
Watch for mood changes. Feeling low in week 2 is extremely common. It passes. Reassurance helps more than advice.
Drive to appointments. Physio visits in week 2 and 6 are crucial. Mark them on the calendar now.
Know the warning signs. Fever above 38°C, wound redness spreading, or calf pain and swelling need a phone call to the team.
Resource library
Printable checklists, trusted videos, and readings from HKU and international orthopaedic societies.
Call your doctor urgently if you notice:
- • Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
- • Wound redness spreading or pus
- • Calf pain, swelling, or warmth
- • Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- • Sudden, severe pain not relieved by medication