What to Pack for Your U.S. Joint Replacement Surgery

Executive Summary

• When traveling internationally for joint replacement surgery, thoughtful preparation is key. What you pack can significantly impact the smoothness of your recovery.
• Ensure you bring the proper medical and travel documents, including your passport, records of past procedures, and emergency contact information.
• Packing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and recovery essentials, such as prescription medications, chargers, and books or movies for entertainment, is essential.
• For a comfortable and safe trip home after surgery, you should bring loose clothing, pain relief medications, a travel pillow, and ice packs. You may also need to arrange for airport wheelchair assistance in advance.

Why Packing Smart Matters for Medical Travel

Any patient traveling from Canada or another country to receive joint replacement surgery in the United States must consider various logistics. U.S.-based medical providers can help prepare the body and mind for surgery and provide suggestions for packing. Still, it will ultimately be up to you to determine what you want to bring for the stages before, during, and after your procedure.

By packing strategically, medical tourists can avoid delays or complications and foster a comfortable environment for the initial stages of their recovery. Additionally, smart packing can support mobility and safety when traveling back home. However, with numerous items to bring, from a passport to non-slip slip-on shoes, packing for medical travel can initially feel like a challenge. 

To make packing easier, the joint specialists at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale have created the comprehensive guide below to help you build a checklist tailored to your needs. Nevertheless, you should still consult your medical provider in the United States to finalize your packing list with their suggestions.

Medical & Travel Documents

Having all the proper documentation in an organized and easily accessible fashion is crucial for anyone participating in medical tourism, as it can facilitate smooth travel and medical coordination.

Some examples of important documents to bring include:

• Passport and travel ID – Ensure your passport is valid and within easy reach. You should also bring a second, government-issued form of identification as a backup.
• Medical referral or surgery approval letter – These documents may be required by the clinic you are traveling to or during border screening, especially if you’re carrying medications or medical devices.
• Health history summary – You can make medical processes and paperwork as smooth as possible by bringing a concise list of your pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, past surgeries, and current medications.
• Supplemental health coverage info – Most insurance plans won’t apply for surgeries performed internationally, but if you have an applicable travel plan, bring copies of your policy, coverage limits, and contact numbers for claims.
• Contact information for your surgeon and clinic – Since they will be navigating an unfamiliar area, medical tourists should keep relevant phone numbers and addresses handy to confirm appointments or directions.
• Flight itinerary, lodging details, emergency contact info – Before leaving for your trip, print any confirmations and write down the names and contact numbers of anyone traveling with you.

To promote organization, use secure, cloud-based storage apps, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, to back up some of the documents above. Doing so can help prevent delays or complications if you lose your physical copies.

Clothing & Comfort Essentials

You should prioritize comfort during each stage of medical travel; however, it is imperative during the days immediately following your procedure. One of the best, comfort-focused travel tips for Canadians, British people, or other medical tourists is to pack light, breathable clothes that are easy to put on and take off.

Some of the most beneficial comfort-related items include:

• Loose, comfortable clothing – Make sure you have a wide selection of elastic-waist pants and oversized tops to avoid restricting your range of motion during recovery.
• Non-slip slip-on footwear – Choose sturdy shoes that do not have laces or any other features that require you to bend over.
• Socks and underwear – Sometimes, laundry access is limited in hotels and medical facilities, so you should pack extra socks and underwear.
• Lightweight pajamas – Choose sleepwear made from cotton or moisture-wicking fabric to promote restful sleep after your surgery.
• Light robe – Bringing something lightweight to wrap up in can be helpful when walking around your lodging.
• Compression socks – If your medical provider approves their use, you can use compression socks to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots post-op.

In addition to the items above, you may want to bring a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses, especially if you plan to spend recovery time outdoors in a sunny place like Scottsdale, Arizona.

Personal Care Items

Another way to promote comfort during your trip is by only packing personal hygiene items that do not overwhelm your luggage. Thankfully, many medical facilities and hotels in the United States provide basics; nevertheless, bringing familiar products can help you feel more at home.

Some examples of personal care items that you may want to consider bringing include:

• Dental hygiene products, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Face wipes, hand sanitizer, and travel-sized tissues
• Unscented lotion for moisturization
• Lip balm, especially since dry lips are common after anesthesia
• Dry shampoo and comb to keep hair feeling fresh between showers
• Feminine hygiene products, if applicable

Avoiding strongly scented products is advised, as scent-free products promote patient safety and reduce the risk of irritation, especially around the incision site.

Recovery Essentials

After packing for the time leading up to their surgery, medical tourists need to plan for the initial recovery stage that will occur while they are still in the United States. You should build an appropriate recovery kit with both functional items and things that keep you entertained and relaxed during downtime.

Some noteworthy recovery essentials medical tourists should bring to the U.S. are:

• Prescribed medications – It is vital to keep all medicines in their original pharmacy packaging to avoid issues at customs.
• List of medications and dosages – Keeping a comprehensive list of all of the supplements and meds you take can make it easy to stay on top of dosage requirements.
• Phone and charger – Consider bringing a long charging cable for hard-to-reach outlets at your hotel or medical facility.
• Entertainment – Many patients enjoy bringing books, magazines, tablets, or downloaded shows to pass the time during their early recovery period.
• Neck or sitting pillow – Bringing a small cushion for your neck or bottom can make traveling or lying in bed more comfortable.
• Noise-canceling devices – Bringing earplugs or noise-canceling headphones can help you block out noise during recovery naps or overnight stays in loud areas.

In addition to the items above, consider bringing a reusable water bottle to promote hydration, as drinking sufficient water is crucial for recovery after a joint replacement surgery.

Items for the Return Trip

The flight home after a joint replacement surgery in the United States can feel daunting due to the prolonged sitting that may be required. By packing items that promote comfort and mobility, you can facilitate your return home after surgery.

Some of the most essential items for your return trip from the U.S. are:

• An easy-to-put-on, loose-fitting outfit
• Ice packs, if approved by your surgeon
• A travel pillow
• Over-the-counter or prescribed medications for pain relief

If needed, you can arrange for a wheelchair service or mobility support at the airport—this should be booked in advance to ensure availability. It is also a good idea to request aisle seats with extra legroom while flying to enhance circulation and comfort.

Optional but Helpful Items

In addition to the items above, you may want to bring some extras that can make your journey and recovery more organized or pleasant, such as:

• Notebook – Journaling is a great way to track symptoms, record medication time stamps, and jot down questions for your surgical team.
• Small bag for dirty laundry – Having an easily accessible method for separating your dirty garments from your clean ones can ultimately make unpacking easier.
• Reusable shopping bag – Bringing an easy-to-carry tote can help you carry things like discharge paperwork, extra water, or snacks.
• Recovery checklist – Printing or downloading a digital checklist of your rehabilitation goals, follow-up appointment milestones, and medication instructions can be beneficial.

You shouldn’t wait until the last minute to gather what you need. Instead, plan ahead to ensure you arrive feeling calm, confident, and ready to focus on healing. 

As you prepare for joint replacement or revision surgery, the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale offers second opinions on everything from a pre-existing treatment plan to what items you intend to bring on your medical tourism trip.

Prepare Yourself for Medical Travel

Joint replacement surgery abroad can offer a wide range of benefits. For instance, surgeons in the United States can usually beat joint replacement wait times in Canada, the U.K., or other countries with publicly funded healthcare systems. 

Even though medical tourism is a quick and efficient alternative to getting a hip or knee replacement in many patients’ home countries, it requires proper preparation. You can make your surgical trip as manageable as possible by bringing essential medical and travel documents, appropriate clothing, important comfort items, and practical tools for recovery.

The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale is here to assist with thoughtful recommendations, and a helpful team is readily available to answer your questions. We let our compassion and medical expertise guide us to cultivate a smooth, valuable, and effective joint surgery experience for our medical tourists from Canada and beyond.

If you’re contemplating joint replacement surgery in the United States, contact our team for a personalized consultation and dependable pre-travel guidance tailored to your needs.