FAQS: After Surgery Total Hip and Knee

Stitches
Minimally invasive hip and knee replacement use stitches that are buried under the skin and dissolve on their own.  When sutures or staples required, they are usually removed roughly two weeks from surgery. For many patients this means that the sutures will be removed after discharge from the hospital, usually by a visiting nurse.

Medications
Patients will be given prescriptions for pain medications and any other necessary medicines. Blood thinners may also be recommended.

Crutches
In most circumstances patients may progress from walker to crutches to cane to no walking devices at all as soon as they feel comfortable and steady in their gait. By six weeks patients are usually full weight bearing, but many require a cane or crutch for an additional six weeks. It is rare to need any assistive device after that time.

Follow-up Visits
Routine follow-up visits are scheduled at six weeks from surgery. Patients who have questions are encouraged to contact the office and will be seen whenever necessary. Total joint replacements require long-term follow-up. Most patients are seen at six months, twelve months, and then every year or two.

Activities After Surgery
In order to perform total hip replacement, various ligaments and tendons are divided and then repaired. These anatomic structures provide hip stability. Until they have healed, the hip is at risk for dislocation. This is usually a six week process. During this time patients are advised to avoid activities that bring the hip to a right angle. Part of the physical therapy process includes education in proper positioning to avoid dislocation.  After six weeks there is sufficient healing such that patients may drive a car, return to work, and pursue most daily activities.

Total knee replacement does not have risks of dislocation and accordingly there are no precautions like those of hip surgery. Knee patients are encouraged to bend and move the operated joint as much as possible. The process of restoring knee motion is gradual, and again it is usually about six weeks before patients are ready to resume regular activities.

Sports
After total joint replacement many patients enjoy low impact sports such as swimming, biking and golf. High impact activities, such as jogging and professions that require heavy or repetitive lifting bending or crawling, must be considered on an individual basis.

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