Frequently Asked Questions

By requesting a consultation, your information will be giving to one of our world class surgeons. The surgeon and/or his assistant will contact you to gain information about your condition. We will coordinate receiving your x-rays for a free evaluation.

If it is determined that surgery is your best option, we will schedule your surgery either over the phone or upon an office consultation. At that time, we will work with you to obtain preauthorization from your insurance company. This may take several days to accomplish.

On the morning of surgery, your family member or friend will be able to stay with you until you are ready to be transported to the operating room. At this point, they will be escorted to a family waiting area where they will wait while you have your surgery.

When your surgery is complete, a member of the surgical team will contact your family member or friend. At this point, they will be able to speak with your surgeon to discuss your procedure.

Once you are awake and stable from an anesthesia and surgery standpoint, you will be transferred to one of our private recovery rooms. Here you will be reunited with your family member or friend to complete the recovery process prior to being released from the suites.

After surgery, you will be transported to the recovery room. Your time in the recovery room will depend upon your rate of recovery from the effects of the anesthesia. Following joint replacement, your recovery room stay is typically four hours.

Nurses will check your vital signs – blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate – and monitor your progress. They will also start your ice therapy.

Pain medications will be provided through your IV as needed. Our goal is to use preoperative medications and special medication injections during the surgery that will reduce your pain and therefore the need for postoperative narcotic medications. Nurses will check your bandages, check drainage from your surgical site, and encourage you to cough and take deep breaths.

They will also apply leg compression devices to help with circulation. You will be able to take this home with you. A self- addressed box will be provided to return the compression unit to the manufacturer.

Once you are awake and ready for your first walk, your family member or “coach” will be able to join you and assist our team with your recovery.

The following is a list of common equipment used after a joint replacement. Your therapists will assist you in evaluating the type of equipment you will need following your surgery. Equipment recommendations are based on the individual needs of each patient.

• Ice Machine
• Front-Wheeled Walker/Cane/Crutches
• Raised toilet seat/Bedside commode

To reduce your risk of infection, antibiotics may need to be administered prior to any invasive test, procedure or surgery. The physician or surgeon performing the test, procedure, or surgery should prescribe antibiotics if indicated.

Some of the exercises, like ankle pumps, can also be performed should you need to sit for long periods of time. If traveling within 2 weeks of your surgery, you should wear your calf compression pumps.

Because your new artificial joint contains metal components, you will likely set off the security systems at airports or shopping malls. This is normal and should not cause concern. We will provide you with a Domestic Medical Tourism Card to minimize your inconvenience.

Exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle are important parts of health. Most patients with artificial joints are able to enjoy many activities, though some should be avoided. In general, high impact exercises, like running, jumping, heavy weight lifting, or contact sports, are not recommended. Participating in these activities, or activities like them, may damage your joint or cause it to wear down much more quickly. Low impact activities like swimming, walking, gardening, and golf are encouraged. You may kneel on your new knee without damaging it; however, it will likely feel uncomfortable.

Following most routine outpatient left lower leg (hip or knee) replacements, patients can drive when they are off narcotics during the day and when they feel comfortable getting in and out of the car. For right lower extremity (hip or knee) replacements, patients are discouraged from driving for up to six weeks.

You will be able to climb stairs prior to being released from the Center. We routinely would recommend doing just one flight of stairs a day until your strength and stamina returns.

Yes, at least for the first 24-48 hours after you return to your home. It is always considered best to have someone there helping you.

Following your joint replacement surgery, it is important to notify your dentist that you have a joint implant. It is essential that you obtain a prescription from your dentist for a prophylactic antibiotic to be taken PRIOR to any dental cleaning or procedure for the rest of your life. You will need to remind your dentist of this requirement before every scheduled appointment in the future, in order to reduce the risk of developing an infection in your joint.

If you have traveled to Seaside Surgery Center to have your procedure performed, you will be instructed to contact your surgeon at three weeks and six weeks after your procedure with an update. This can be done via telephone call or by email.

If you live locally you will see the physician assistant for a follow up appointment six weeks after surgery. Joint replacements are monitored at six weeks, one year, two years, five years, and every five years after.