What Patient Resources Does OHOW Provide for Surgery and Recovery?
Updated
OHOW (Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin) organizes its patient resources around four stages of the surgical journey: Before Your Surgery, During Your Stay, Discharge Instructions, and Case Management. These sections appear in the site's main navigation under "Patient Resources," so they are intended as a step-by-step guide rather than a single FAQ page. If you are scheduled for an orthopedic procedure at OHOW, or helping someone who is, these four areas are where to look first.
Before Your Surgery
This section covers what to do in the lead-up to your procedure. Based on how the resource is structured, expect it to address preparation tasks such as:
- Instructions you need to follow ahead of your surgery date
- What to arrange before you arrive at the hospital
- Questions to bring to your care team in advance
Because the site does not publish the individual instructions in the excerpt, treat this section as your starting checklist and confirm any specifics (medication changes, fasting, arrival times) directly with your surgeon's office or by calling (414) 961-6800.
During Your Stay
The "During Your Stay" resource explains what to expect while you are admitted at OHOW. For an orthopedic hospital, this typically means:
- What your room and daily routine look like
- How nursing and therapy staff support your recovery
- How to reach your care team while admitted
Use this section to set expectations for yourself or a family member, and to know what questions to ask on the day of surgery.
Discharge Instructions
Discharge Instructions are the take-home guidance for after you leave the hospital. This is the section to read carefully before you go home, since it governs:
- How to care for your surgical site
- Activity limits and when to resume movement
- Warning signs that require follow-up
- Follow-up appointment expectations
If anything in this section is unclear, ask before discharge rather than after — the care team is easiest to reach while you are still on site.
Case Management
Case Management is OHOW's support service for coordinating care beyond the hospital walls. It is the resource to use when your recovery involves:
- Arranging equipment, home health, or rehabilitation after discharge
- Coordinating between your surgeon, therapists, and other providers
- Navigating insurance or logistical questions about ongoing care
Case Management is a service, not just a document, so it is worth contacting directly if your situation is complex.
How to Access These Resources
| Resource | What it covers | Best used |
|---|---|---|
| Before Your Surgery | Pre-op preparation | In the weeks before your procedure |
| During Your Stay | Inpatient expectations | On admission day |
| Discharge Instructions | Post-op home care | Before leaving the hospital |
| Case Management | Care coordination | When recovery needs outside support |
All four are reachable from the "Patient Resources" menu on ohow.com. For anything time-sensitive, call (414) 961-6800. OHOW also offers a Patient Portal for account-related tasks and an online Request an Appointment form, and its Ortho First program provides free walk-in physical therapy assessments — useful if your recovery path includes therapy.
A Practical Note
The website presents these as navigation categories, so the depth of each page may vary. The most reliable approach is to read the relevant section, then verify the details that matter most — medication, weight-bearing status, follow-up timing — with your own care team, since those are specific to your procedure and surgeon.