Frequently Asked Questions

Wear them until your first post op appointment and then ask your surgeon at that visit.

Please refer to your post op instruction packet regarding dressing changes.

We cannot give recommendations legally on driving. You will need to be completely off prescription pain medications and cannot drive with boots or casts/splints/slings on. Don’t drive if you have a weight bearing restriction. Call if you have further questions.

Take OTC Miralax, stool softeners, or even magnesium citrate. Drink plenty of fluids. You could also drink prune juice. If you are able, get up and walk around.

You can call us or your dental office.

It depends on your surgeon’s preference.

Please call 5 days prior to your medication running out.

It depends on your surgeon’s preference.

As soon as your incision is healed and scarred over or approximately 1-2 weeks from your first post-operative visit (3-4 weeks post op).

No.

Depends on Dr.’s preference.

Depends on Dr.’s preference.

See cast care handout.

20-30 yrs.

Defer to PCP. If on anticoagulant, ask surgeon.

No, you can simply inform airport security you have had a total joint replacement.

If you received paperwork in the mail, bring this completed, your insurance card or work comp/MVA insurance information, a current list of medications you take, any records that pertain to what you are being seen for, list of questions.

Joint replacements are metal and plastic, it is normal for them to make sound, you will probably notice this less the further out from surgery you get.

It is normal after a scope to have popping as long as it is not painful. Sometimes people have popping in a joint even when they haven’t had surgery. Again, as long as it doesn’t hurt, this is ok.

It is normal for your knee to get stiff if you have been inactive/sitting for a while. It will loosen up as you move and this will improve with time.

Dr. preference.

We recommend following up 1 year after surgery and then every 5-10 years after that unless you are having problems with the joint.

Do not bring an ice machine from a previous surgery with you to the hospital. You may inform hospital staff that you have one at home however you may still receive a new one due to the hospital’s infection control protocol.

The hospital will call you 1-2 days prior to your surgery to let you know what time to be there.

Yes.

This is a test for your muscles and nerves to determine any abnormality. Small needles like the ones used for acupuncture will be placed into a few muscles and electrical stimulation will be applied both with and without the needles.

Medicare requires 10 days between epidurals. They also require that you see your doctor before having another epidural. If you don’t have Medicare for insurance your doctor may determine how long you need to wait between injections. Usually they allow 3-4 epidurals in a 12 month period.