DR. MORA’S POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

1. Your Incision: The dressing is changed daily.  The netting which holds the dressing should be changed every 3 days.  The staples are removed after 10-14 days by the Rehab facility or by a visiting nurse and then adhesive strips are applied.  There is no need to cover the incision with netting or gauze once the adhesive strips are in place.  The adhesive strips peel-off on their own.  It is OK to shower with the adheisive strips in place. Pat your incision dry after showers.
2. Showers:  Once the staples are removed and adhesive strips are applied you may shower the following day.  After a shower spend extra time drying the incision.  You may even use a hair dryer on cool setting to dry the skin well.  No submerging the knee in a bath or Jacuzzi for 6 weeks.
3. Exercise:  It is encouraged to bend and fully straighten the knee daily.  Put light pressure on the front of the knee to get it to fully extend.
4. Physical Therapy:  This will start 1-2 days after your surgery.  It is continued at home 3 times a week for 4 weeks.  The therapist will be arranged by the hospital to see you after you have arrived home.  If you have problems getting a therapist to come to your home, call Angela Anderson RN 714-771-8000 ext-7952 or St. Joseph Home Health Services 714 712-9500.
5. Crutches/Walker:  Usually the crutches are used for about 2-4 weeks.  The therapist will guide you.  You can apply as much weight as you can tolerate.
6. FIRST Visit after Surgery:  You will see Dr. Mora 3 weeks after the surgery.  Please call the office and arrange this visit if it is not already scheduled.
7. Tips for Wound Healing:  Stay healthy by avoiding tobacco, eating well, taking a daily multi-vitamin, taking Vit C 500mg twice a day, and taking an iron tablet (ferrous sulfate) for 2 weeks.
8. Icing:  As long as there is swelling, applying a bag of ice over a towel across the knee is beneficial.  Do this for 20 min three times a day.
9. Driving:  This is partially up to you:  You should be able to drive when the knee is not a distraction and when you can safely push the brake and gas pedals.  It may take 2-3 weeks before it can be done.  If you get in an accident it is your responsibility.
10. TED Stocking:  Use the first 3 weeks.  Take off at night and once a day.
11. Blood Thinner Med:  Most surgeons will provide some form of “blood clot prevention”.  Dr. Mora prefers to use Arixtra injected once daily (you are taught to do injection) for 10 days from the surgery.  After the Arixtra treatment is completed, please take an enteric coated aspirin (ECASA) 81mg once a day for 2 months.  If you are on coumadin for other medical problems you will not take the aspirin.
12. Future Dental Work:  These recommendations vary depending on surgeon preference.  I prefer that for the first year you always take antibiotics any procedure.  After the first year, the risk of infection is much less but it is still advisable to take antibiotics especially if a major dental procedure is planned.  Your dentist will always prescribe the medication in advance.
13. For General Questions: St. Joseph Hospital has an excellent Joint Replacement Program Nurse who is available for basic questions regarding therapy, equipment etc.  Her name is Angela Anderson RN and her number is 714-771-8000 ext-7952.  You may also call our office anytime.
14. Airport Metal Detector:  You should not have any problem getting through the airport.  There is no universal “ID card” for operated patients.  If you set off the detector you will be taken aside and scanned again at which point the surgical incision can be shown.  To date no one we know has had any problems with this issue.