Knee-Guidebook-V1

Follow-Up Visits After your surgery, your surgeon will schedule regular follow-up visits to assess for signs of wear or any other problems with your new knee. You should call your doctor’s office immediately if:

• You have moderate or severe pain that requires medication

•

Your knee or calf becomes red or swollen

• Any episodes or falls when you are no longer able to put weight on your replaced knee

• Have numbness or loss or change of feeling in your legs or toes

• Experience redness, swelling, warmth, unpleasant odor, or liquid coming from your incision (surgical wound) or joint

After Surgery

Before Surgery

Day 1

Day 2

Discharge

Nothing to Eat or Drink after midnight

Clear liquids as tolerated

Nutrition

Regular Diet

Regular Diet

Regular Diet

Get out of bed, turn every 2 hours, Use CPM Machine, Incentive Spirometer, Walk with assistance IV/Oral Pain Meds, Laxative as needed, blood thinning meds

PT and OT, Up in chair for all meals, walk in the hall with assistance, training on stairs and cars

Perform exercises from guidebook and attend pre-op education class

Do your exercises, walk several times a day for short distances

PT and OT, Up in chair, knee exercises, walking

Activity or Therapy

Get discharge perscriptions including pain meds

Pain Meds, Laxative as needed

Regular Meds, stop meds as directed by your doctor

Pain Meds before therapy, laxative as needed

Pain Meds and Other Meds

Shower the night before and morning of surgery

Help with bathing, catheter removed

Bathe yourself, change bandage

Shower when cleared by doctor

Catheter placed during surgery

Hygiene

Finalize plan with doctor and care manager, prepare home

Discuss with doctor and care manager

Return home or to a skilled rehab

Discharge Plan Discuss with doctor