You will be discharged from the hospital when you are able to get in and out of bed and walk with crutches or a walker. You can expect to be in the hospital after hip or knee surgery for approximately 2-3 days. For revision, complex hip or knee surgery, you can expect to be in the hospital for 4-5 days. Most patients will return home upon discharge. If you live alone, you will need someone to stop by every day to check on you. You will not have to be transported to therapy.
Discharge Instructions
Post-operative Activities: Change your dressing daily.
Apply ice to the incision 3 to 4 times daily.
Use a walker or crutches at all times.
Wear both TED stockings except during bathing.
Shower only if you feel safe; the incision may get wet.
Bear weight as tolerated on leg(s).
Elevate leg(s) 3 times daily.
Do not reach below your knees after hip surgery.
Do not drive for one month.
Medications
Take pain medicine as ordered.
Take Coumadin, if ordered, for one month (blood will be drawn to monitor). Do not take aspirin. Take coated aspirin (Ecotrin 325 mg) Ð one tablet twice each day with food for 1 month Ð if not on Coumadin.
Take your usual medicine at home. (Do not take aspirin or arthritis medicine if on Coumadin.)
What to Expect
Pain. While some pain is to be expected, we'll help you manage it.
Swelling at the incision and ankle.
Bruising (sometimes, all the way to the foot).
Follow-up Appointment
Usually 8 to 12 days after surgery, your doctor will give you follow-up instructions and directions.
When to Call a Doctor
Fever: If your temperature goes over 101 degrees. It is common to run a low-grade temperature less than 101 degrees. Be sure to breathe deeply and ambulate.
Redness: If skin around the wound becomes more red or swollen. Expect some redness along the incision line.
Drainage: If there is increasing drainage coming from the wound. It may be clear or creamy.
Odor: If there is a foul smell that seems to come from the wound.
Swelling: If you experience excessive leg swelling not relieved with ice and elevation.
Pain: If you have severe pain and swelling in the calf of the leg.
Breathing: If you have shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
Chest Pain: If you experience chest pain, severe indigestion or a feeling of heaviness in the chest.
FOLLOW-UP
You will need to call our office (317) 884-5200 to schedule a follow-up visit. Usually, we like to remove the clips or sutures 10-14 days after the surgery date.
Following total joint replacement, you will need to take antibiotics prior to having dental cleanings and dental procedures. Antibiotics should also be taken prior to colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, urinary tract procedures and abdominal surgery. The antibiotics are important to prevent any infection from seeding into the total joint. Always let your doctor or dentist know that you have a joint replacement when you schedule any type of procedure. Antibiotics are not required when you have a "common cold".
We will be here to encourage and support you during your surgery and rehabilitation and will help you in every way possible. It is important that you continue to follow-up with your orthopaedic surgeon as requested. After the first year, you will be followed every 2-3 years. It is important to x-ray your prosthesis every 2-3 years to look for any early problems, such as loosening and/or wear that may not be obvious to you. More than ninety percent of hip and knee implants are still functioning well at 15 years after surgery. If they loosen or wear out, they can be redone with a good result once again. Sometimes all that needs to be done is to change the liner (plastic).
As your orthopaedic surgeon, I keep all of the data regarding you and your prosthesis so I can review your progress. I feel this documentation allows me to offer the best possible care to my patients and ensures that I will make changes in your treatment when I feel they are appropriate.
Our common goal is to have the best results possible!
