| See the Knee Replacement Guide you got before surgery on how to care for yourself at home. |
| Contact and follow up information |
• Joint Replacement Nurse Coordinator: 859-218-3094 – Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• After 4:30 p.m. and weekends: 859-323-5321 – Ask for the orthopedic resident on call.
• Follow up:
Provider__________________Date_________Time_______Location_____________________ |
| Physical therapy – follow the instructions from your provider - see booklet page 8 |
| You will get a prescription before you go home. That is your therapy order. If you don’t have a PT appointment, make one as soon as you can. |
| Managing your medicines |
| Managing pain – see booklet page 14 |
| You were prescribed several medicines. Refer to the My Medicine Schedule Sheet. You will have enough pain medicine to last until your 2-week follow-up visit, if taken as instructed. Taper your narcotic use as your pain allows. If you need a refill, call the main office at 859-323-5533 at least 3 business days before you run out. |
| Preventing blood clots |
Name and dose of medicine:
______________________________ |
How often:
____________________ |
How long:
____________________ |
| Preventing constipation – see booklet page 13 |
Take Docusate or Senna along with MiraLAX every day. Do this while taking narcotic medicine.
• If no bowel movement by Day 3 after surgery, take over-the-counter milk of magnesia as directed.
• If no bowel movement by Day 5 after surgery, use an over-the-counter Dulcolax suppository as directed.
• If no bowel movement after the Dulcolax suppository, call the nurse coordinator at 859-218-3094. |
| Incision care – see booklet page 11 |
__The incision was closed with Dermabond Prineo. Call the clinic about drainage or concerns.
• Remove the dressing covering your knee tomorrow.
• Do not remove the Prineo tape. Your doctor will remove it at the follow-up visit.
• After the dressing is removed, you may shower as long as there is no drainage from the incision.
• You may apply a light, dry gauze bandage as needed for comfort.
• No soaking the incision. No creams, lotions, or ointments on the incision.
__The incision was closed with staples or sutures.
• Keep them dry until your follow-up visit.
• Only take sponge baths until they are removed. |
| Polar Pack (ice machine) use – see booklet page 11 |
| Use the Polar Pack for 20 minutes 3 times a day after exercises. Do not place the Polar Pack directly on the skin. You must have clothes, washcloth, or pillowcase between the pad and your skin. |