USWU Joint Replacement Surgery Program
Welcome USWU members! USWU, the Mount Sinai Health System, and the United Welfare Fund are partnering to offer a comprehensive, top-quality hip and knee joint replacement surgery program for you and your family.
To ask how to get started, contact the United Welfare Fund Member Services at 718-658-4848, ext. 5.
Joint Replacement Surgery
If you are experiencing joint pain and disability, you may be a candidate for joint replacement surgery. We know hip and knee surgery can be stressful for patients and families. Our Mount Sinai team of doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers will work to minimize pain, shorten recovery time, and achieve the best possible long-term outcome.
Program benefits include:
- Access to our best orthopedic surgeons
- No co-pays on your day of surgery
- Personal care guide to direct you from start to finish
- Free transportation to and from the hospital on your surgery day
- Free grocery delivery to your home to make your recovery easier
- A guarantee that you will not receive a surprise bill
Your Personal Care
You will be assigned a dedicated Mount Sinai care guide to support you throughout the presurgical, surgical, and recovery process. Your care guide will meet with you at various points throughout your journey to answer questions, provide guidance, and support recovery. Your care guide will continue to be available to you by phone or email for at least 30 days after surgery.
Your Patient Journey
Before the procedure, you will meet with your orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery and have a preoperative physical exam. To make sure you are strong enough to tolerate surgery, we will perform a series of tests. These will include an electrocardiogram, X-rays, and several blood tests.
Joint Class
About two weeks before surgery, we will invite you to participate in a patient education program called “Joint School.” In this session, you will:
- Learn more about your surgery, pain management, and recovery
- Meet with care team members to ask questions
- Have any necessary presurgical screening
- Receive materials about surgery and instructions on preparing your home for recovery
- Discuss your rehabilitation, home care, and equipment needs during your recovery at home
Friends and Family
We strongly encourage a friend or family member to join you at Joint School. Be sure to bring that person’s phone number with you to the hospital on the day of surgery. If your family has specific questions about the procedure, have them write the questions and bring them to your presurgery appointment with your orthopedic surgeon.
Please arrange for a friend or family member to be available to assist you after you return home. If you think you might need more help than friends and family can provide, please contact a United Welfare Fund Member Services representative at 718-658-4848, ext. 5.
Your Hospital Stay
On the day of surgery, we can provide a free Lyft car service. When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to the registration desk. Joint replacement surgery usually takes several hours. During this time you will receive either regional or general anesthesia.
After surgery, we will monitor you closely in the recovery room, also called the post-anesthesia care unit. Patients usually remain in the recovery room for a few hours. Once you have recovered from the anesthesia, we will transfer you to your room. The team will develop a personalized activity program to suit your individual recovery needs.
Leaving the Hospital
You can expect to go home on the day of surgery or the day after. Again, we can provide a free car service. Most patients go home to recover after surgery, but some need care at a skilled nursing facility. Depending on your situation, you may need home visits by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or nurse.
Recovery at Home
Your care guide will reach out to you after you are discharged to make sure you have what you need and to answer your questions. Your care guide will help coordinate home services and arrange any follow-up appointments you may need with your doctors. Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery process. Physical therapy can occur at home or in a physical therapy office. Most patients see their surgeon for a follow-up visit about two weeks after surgery.