Frequently Asked Questions

JointEffort is a recovery support app for people who have had total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. It provides daily check-ins, personalized physical therapy exercises, and a companion named Grace who guides you through recovery — all reviewed by an orthopedic surgeon.

JointEffort is designed for patients recovering from total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. It supports you from hospital discharge through the acute recovery phase (weeks 1–6) and into active rehabilitation.

Yes, JointEffort is completely free for patients. No credit card required, no insurance needed, no hidden costs. The cost is borne by your surgical practice.

No. JointEffort is a wellness and recovery support tool, not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, or make clinical decisions. All content is informational and supplementary to professional care.

No. JointEffort is designed to support, not replace, your care team. Always follow your surgeon's and physical therapist's instructions. The app helps you stay on track between visits, but it's not a substitute for professional medical care.

If your daily check-in reveals something concerning — like signs of surgical site infection (SSI) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — JointEffort will alert you immediately with clear guidance on what to do. Your caregiver is also notified automatically. For medical emergencies, always call 911.

Recovery timelines vary by individual, but most patients see significant improvement by 6 weeks post-surgery. By 12 weeks, many return to most daily activities. Full recovery and maximum benefit from surgery typically occurs at 6–12 months. Your surgeon and physical therapist can provide guidance specific to your situation.

Most patients can resume driving 4–6 weeks after surgery, but this depends on which leg was operated on, whether you drive an automatic or manual transmission, and your individual recovery progress. Always get clearance from your surgeon before driving, and make sure you can safely perform an emergency stop.

Light activities (walking, light housework) can often resume within weeks. More demanding activities vary: most patients return to work at 6–12 weeks (depending on job type), resume swimming at 6–8 weeks, and can consider low-impact sports like golf at 3–6 months. High-impact activities may be limited. Always discuss your specific goals with your surgeon.

JointEffort provides surgeon-reviewed physical therapy (PT) exercises tailored to your recovery stage, including range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and walking guidance. The specific exercises and intensity are personalized based on your surgery type and how you're feeling. Always follow any additional instructions from your physical therapist.

Most surgeons recommend doing your PT exercises 2–3 times daily during the early recovery phase. JointEffort's guided morning routine helps you build a consistent habit. Short, frequent sessions are generally more effective than one long session. Listen to your body and don't push through sharp pain.

All content is reviewed by Dr. Jessica Hooper, MD — a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Assistant Professor at a leading West Coast medical school, specializing in hip and knee replacement surgery.

All exercises in JointEffort are reviewed by an orthopedic surgeon and are standard post-operative rehabilitation exercises. The app adjusts intensity based on how you're feeling and includes clear stop-if-pain warnings. However, always follow your physical therapist's specific instructions for your recovery.

Yes. JointEffort uses AI to power Grace, your recovery companion, who provides personalized daily messages and can answer common recovery questions. The AI helps personalize your experience based on your check-in responses. However, Grace cannot diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, or replace medical advice — she's designed to support and encourage you, not make clinical decisions.

No. Under our agreements with AI providers, your data is not used to train or improve AI models. Your conversations and check-in data remain private and are used only to provide you with personalized support. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

We collect minimal data: your email address, surgery type and date, daily check-in responses, and exercise completion. We do not collect medical records, insurance information, or your full legal name.

No. We never sell your data, show you ads, or share your information with insurance companies. Your data is used only to support your recovery.

Yes. You can export or delete your data at any time from within the app. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Visit app.jointeffort.care and create an account with your email. You'll answer a few questions about your surgery, and then you're ready to start.

No. JointEffort is a Progressive Web App (PWA) — it works in your phone's browser and can be added to your home screen for an app-like experience. No download from an app store required. Just go to app.jointeffort.care on any device.

Yes. You can invite a caregiver (family member or friend) to see your progress and receive alerts. They'll get their own login and can check on you anytime.

JointEffort works on any device with a modern web browser — smartphones, tablets, and computers. No special hardware required.

Yes, JointEffort requires an internet connection to sync your check-ins and receive personalized content.