Knee or hip replacement surgery can be an important step toward improved mobility and quality of life, but recovery takes time. In the days and weeks following surgery, getting in and out of a vehicle, walking across a parking lot, or navigating a medical facility may be much more difficult than usual.
Planning transportation before surgery can make recovery easier for both patients and their families. From the initial trip home to follow-up visits and physical therapy, professional non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) can provide additional assistance when driving or riding in a standard passenger vehicle is not practical.
Transportation Needs Don’t End When You Leave the Hospital
Going home after joint replacement surgery is only the beginning of the recovery process. Patients may have several healthcare appointments during the following days and weeks.
Transportation may be needed for:
- Hospital or surgical center discharge
- Post-operative appointments with the surgeon
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation appointments
- Imaging or diagnostic testing
- Other specialist appointments related to recovery
Because many of these appointments occur while mobility is still limited, arranging transportation ahead of time can remove one source of stress from the recovery process.
Why Getting Into a Regular Car Can Be Difficult After Surgery
Something as simple as getting into the family car can become challenging after knee or hip replacement surgery. Patients may have restrictions on bending or certain movements, experience temporary weakness or discomfort, or rely on a walker or wheelchair while recovering.
A spouse, adult child, or friend may be happy to provide a ride, but helping someone safely enter and exit a vehicle can be difficult without the appropriate equipment or experience.
Professional medical transportation provides more than a ride. It can provide the additional assistance and accessible vehicle needed to make the trip safer and more comfortable.
When Wheelchair-Accessible Transportation Can Help
Some patients temporarily use a wheelchair following joint replacement surgery, even if they did not use one before their procedure. Others may use a walker but find longer distances difficult during the early stages of recovery.
Wheelchair-accessible medical transportation can eliminate the need for a passenger to transfer into a traditional vehicle when wheelchair transport is appropriate. Professional drivers can also assist passengers using walkers and other mobility devices.
This can be especially helpful when traveling between:
- Home and a hospital or surgical center
- Home and physical therapy
- A hospital and rehabilitation facility
- A rehabilitation facility and follow-up appointments
- Assisted living or senior communities and medical offices
Physical Therapy May Mean Recurring Transportation
Physical therapy is often an important part of recovery following knee or hip replacement surgery. Depending on the patient’s care plan, appointments may occur regularly for several weeks.
For families, providing transportation to every appointment can become difficult, particularly when appointments take place during working hours.
Scheduling recurring medical transportation can help patients maintain a consistent appointment schedule without relying entirely on the availability of family members or friends.
Plan Transportation Before Surgery
If you know a knee or hip replacement is coming up, transportation should be part of your recovery planning. Don’t wait until discharge day or the morning of the first physical therapy appointment to determine how you’ll get there.
Before surgery:
- Ask your healthcare provider what mobility limitations you should expect after the procedure.
- Find out whether you’ll initially use a walker, wheelchair, or another mobility device.
- Review your upcoming follow-up and physical therapy schedule.
- Determine which appointments family members can realistically help with.
- Arrange professional medical transportation for trips where additional assistance is needed.
Having a plan in place can make the transition from surgery to recovery much easier.
Helping Families Focus on Recovery
Family members play an important role during recovery, but they shouldn’t have to manage every transportation need alone. Professional medical transportation can give families another dependable option while helping patients maintain their scheduled medical care.
For older adults in particular, knowing that transportation is arranged can also provide reassurance during a period when they may temporarily need more help than usual.
Reliable Transportation During Your Recovery
At Reliable Medical Transportation, we provide safe, dependable non-emergency medical transportation for patients throughout Southeast Michigan. Our certified drivers and wheelchair-accessible vehicles can assist patients traveling from hospitals, surgical centers, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapy appointments, medical offices, and other healthcare destinations.
Whether you need transportation home after surgery, assistance getting to a follow-up appointment, or recurring rides during rehabilitation, our family-owned team is here to help make transportation one less thing to worry about during recovery.
Planning for an upcoming knee or hip replacement? Contact us or call 248-264-7020 to discuss your transportation needs and schedule a ride.
Post-Surgery Transportation Throughout Southeast Michigan
Reliable Medical Transportation serves patients throughout Southeast Michigan, including Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw, Genesee, and Ingham counties. We provide transportation to and from hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapy clinics, orthopedic practices, and other healthcare providers throughout the region.
If you’re unsure whether transportation is available for your location or upcoming appointment, contact us or call 248-264-7020 to speak with our team.
