You may return to work whenever you are comfortable doing so. Activity restrictions are often appropriate, and you may inform us of any restrictions that you feel you may need. If you require a return-to-work note, please call the office and let us know the date on which you would like to return. You should also tell us to whom we should send the letter; please include either the fax number, mailing address, or email address. You may also pick up the letter from the office if you would like.

After knee replacement surgery, it is common for people to wake up several times during the night, sometimes for several months. Many patients find that sleeping in a recliner early on is more comfortable than sleeping in bed. Not sleeping through the night is the most common complaint at the 6 week follow-up appointment. The knee is usually sore after the day’s activity and it can be very achy at night. It is important to decrease your activity in the few hours before bed and to ice the knee. Taking pain medication, especially an anti-inflammatory, and/or over-the-counter treatments such as melatonin before bed can be very helpful. Unfortunately, a specific treatment regimen that is effective for most people has not yet been identified.

Ideally, significant travel should wait until 4 weeks after surgery. When you are traveling, wear your compression socks. If you are flying, get up and walk up and down the aisle several times during the flight. If you are driving, stop every 90-120 minutes to stretch your legs and walk.

A stool softener will be prescribed with your postoperative medications. If you would prefer something else, you may take over-the-counter Miralax or prune juice.

Most patients can start chipping and putting around 6 weeks after surgery. You may gradually increase your swing and club size as you are comfortable. Your physical therapist will help guide you with your return to activities.

It is likely that the replacement will be identified during airport security screening. We no longer provide implant cards to patients as joint replacements and other orthopaedic devices are commonplace. The joint replacement should not cause any significant delay making your way through airport security.

You should inform your dental office and all of your treating physicians that you have a joint replacement. Dental procedures (including routine cleaning) and other invasive procedures (such as urological, gastrointestinal, or gynecological procedures) can result in bacteria entering your bloodstream. Although it is a very low risk, it may be possible that bacteria could infect your joint replacement. To help prevent infections of your replacement, it is recommended that you take an antibiotic prior to dental visits or any other procedure. Please call the office to have an antibiotic prescribed prior to these appointments.