How can YOU stay healthy and out of the hospital after surgery?
Patient Health Guide: Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Follow your doctor’s instructions for each of the following after surgery:
•Bandage/DressingChanges:Yourincisionwillbecoveredwithadry
bandage/dressing.Changeitasinstructed.Ifyourbandagebecomes
soakedwithbloodorshowsfluiddrainagetotheoutsideofthe
bandage,reinforcethebandagewithadditionalbandage/dressingpads,
securewithtape,andapplygentlepressuretothearea.
•Wearingcompressionstockingsreducestheriskofbloodclotsaftersurgery.
•Driving:DoNOTdriveuntilyourdoctorsaysitisokaytodriveagain.
•Eatingahealthydietwithfruits,vegetables,grainsandmeat/protein
supportshealing.Drinkingplentyofwaterorfluidsalsosupports
healing.
•Lyingdown:DoNOTplacepillowsunderneathyourknee.Ifneeded,
usemultiplepillowsunderyourentirelegandfoottoreduceswelling.
Disclaimer:Thishealthguidecontentisbasedonmedicalliteraturereviewandisconsideredonlygeneralinformationrelatingtoadiseasemanagementplan.Theinformationandpracticesdescribedintheguidearenotintendedassubstitutesforclinicalormedicaladviceprescribedbyamedicalproviderforanindividualpatientthatisbasedontheindividual’shistory,conditionandcurrentmedicalassessment.Thisinformationisnotintendedtobecomprehensiveaboutthesubjectsaddressedandmayincludeinformationthatistime-sensitiveandsubjecttochange.
DO NOT do the following: • Donotstoopoverorbenddowntopickupthingsoffofthefloor.
• Donotreachdowntoputsocksonyourfeet.
• Donotsitonlowchairsorstools,lowtoiletseats,orsoftchairs.
• Donottwistyouraffectedleg.• Donotcrossyourlegsorfeetwhensitting.• Donotreachdowntowardyourfeettopullupbedcovers.
Your doctor will tell you when it is okay to perform the following activities:• Carryingchildren• Climbingstairs• Driving• Exercising• Lifting• Standingorplacingbodyweightonyoursurgeryfoot/leg
•Walkingwithoutawalkerorcane
August2016
•Rehabilitation/PhysicalTherapy:Yourdoctorwill
ordertherapythatisveryimportantforgettingthe
bestresultsfromyoursurgeryandtoteachyou
howtosafelyresumeactivityagain.Therapymaybe
deliveredeitherthroughHomeHealthorOutpatient
Rehab.
• Showering/Bathing:Avoidgettingyourincision
wetuntilitheals.Coverthebandage/dressingas
instructed.
• Sitting:Sitinchairswitharmrests.Avoidsittingfora
longtimeinoneposition.
•Walking:Useawalkerorcaneasinstructed.Wear
well-fittedshoeswithnon-skidbottoms,andtake
extracautionwhenwalkingonunevengroundor
wetsurfaces.Avoidfallingbyhavingsomeoneclear
pathwaysinyourhome(removethrowrugs,lamp
cords,andcluttersoyouwillnottrip).
Take your medicines as instructed by your doctor.
This is very important. Tell your doctor or
pharmacist if:
•Youcannotpayforyourmedicine;
•Youhavetroubletakingyourmedicine;
•Yourmedicinemakesyoufeelworse;orif
•Youareworriedaboutthepossiblesideeffectsof
yourmedicine.
Keep your follow-up appointments with your
doctor and therapists even if you are feeling better.
Disclaimer:Thishealthguidecontentisbasedonmedicalliteraturereviewandisconsideredonlygeneralinformationrelatingtoadiseasemanagementplan.Theinformationandpracticesdescribedintheguidearenotintendedassubstitutesforclinicalormedicaladviceprescribedbyamedicalproviderforanindividualpatientthatisbasedontheindividual’shistory,conditionandcurrentmedicalassessment.Thisinformationisnotintendedtobecomprehensiveaboutthesubjectsaddressedandmayincludeinformationthatistime-sensitiveandsubjecttochange.
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Your Symptoms UnderstandhowyouarefeelingafterTotal Knee Replacement Surgeryandwhat to do based on the Green, Yellow, and Red Zones below.
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NOTES
Disclaimer:Thishealthguidecontentisbasedonmedicalliteraturereviewandisconsideredonlygeneralinformationrelatingtoadiseasemanagementplan.Theinformationandpracticesdescribedintheguidearenotintendedassubstitutesforclinicalormedicaladviceprescribedbyamedicalproviderforanindividualpatientthatisbasedontheindividual’shistory,conditionandcurrentmedicalassessment.Thisinformationisnotintendedtobecomprehensiveaboutthesubjectsaddressedandmayincludeinformationthatistime-sensitiveandsubjecttochange.
Green Zone Symptoms: “All Clear” Green Zone Means:
Nopainthatisdifferentforyousincesurgery
Drainagefromtheincisionisdecreasing
Sleepingwellornormalatnight
Appetiteisgood/normal
•Yourpainisundercontrol
•Yourincisionishealing
•Continuetakingyourmedicines
•Youneedtobendyourknee
•Keep all appointments with your doctor even if you are feeling better
Yellow Zone Symptoms: “Caution” Yellow Zone Means:
Suddensharppainthatdoesn’tgoaway
Thepainmedicineisnothelping
Swelling,rednessordrainagefromtheincision
Changeincolororodorofdrainage
Feverabove101ºoruncontrollableshaking/chills
Bleedinginurineorstoolorseverenosebleeds
Anythingelsethatbothersyourelatedtoyourkneesurgery
•Call your doctor to be seen as soon as possible
•Yourmedicinesmayneedtobechanged
Red Zone Symptoms: “Medical Alert” Red Zone Means:
Shortnessofbreath
Chestpain
Increasedswelling,pain,ortendernessofyourthigh,calf,ankleorfoot(oneitheryourleftorrightside)
Uncontrolledbleedingthatcontinuesafteryouhaveappliedadditionalbandage/dressingpadsand/orappliedgentlepressuretothearea
•You need immediate or urgent evaluation
•Call 911 or have someone drive you to the Emergency Room
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Disclaimer:Thishealthguidecontentisbasedonmedicalliteraturereviewandisconsideredonlygeneralinformationrelatingtoadiseasemanagementplan.Theinformationandpracticesdescribedintheguidearenotintendedassubstitutesforclinicalormedicaladviceprescribedbyamedicalproviderforanindividualpatientthatisbasedontheindividual’shistory,conditionandcurrentmedicalassessment.Thisinformationisnotintendedtobecomprehensiveaboutthesubjectsaddressedandmayincludeinformationthatistime-sensitiveandsubjecttochange.
Common Medicines Used for Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Medicine Type and Reason for Use Examples Possible Side Effects
Blood Thinner
Preventsabloodclotfromformingaftersurgery
Take this medicine at the same time each day
Mostlikely,youwillbeprescribedONEofthefollowingbloodthinnersforacertainperiodoftimeafteryouaredischargedfromthehospital:
Enoxaparin(Lovenox®)injectionFondaparinux(Arixtra®)injectionRivaroxaban(Xarelto®)tabletWarfarin(Coumadin®)tablet
Other:_______________________
Yourdoctormightalsoprescribeaspirin(over-the-counter)afteryoufinishthebloodthinnermedicineabove.
• Increasedriskofbleeding• Interactionswithcertainfoods(warfarin)
• Upsetstomach
Pain Medicines:
*Understand the following:• Howoftenyoucantakeeachmedicine
•Whichmedicinesaretakenon“schedule”or“asneeded”
• Thenumberoftabletsyoushouldnotexceedina24-hourtimeperiod
• TheamountofAcetaminophen(Tylenol®)youshouldnotexceedina24-hourtimeperiod
Narcotic/Opioid Pain Medicines*:Hydrocodone+Acetaminophen(Lortab®orNorco®)MorphineOxycodoneOxycodone+Acetaminophen(Percocet®)
Non-Opioid Pain Medicines:Acetaminophen(Tylenol®)Celecoxib(Celebrex®)Ibuprofen(Advil®,Motrin®)
Other:_______________________
TAKE WITH FOOD, MILK OR A SNACK
• Confusion• Constipation• Dizzinessordrowsiness• Rashoritching• Upsetstomach(nausea)orvomiting
Iron Supplement
Take this medicine at the same time each day.
FerrousSulfate(over-the-counter)
Other:_______________________
TAKE WITH FOOD OR A SNACK DO NOT TAKE WITH ANTACIDS
• Constipation• Upsetstomach(nausea)
Stool softeners or laxatives to help with or prevent constipation (oftencausedbynarcotic/painmedicines)
Docusatesodium(Colace®)Docusatesodium+Senna(Senexon-SorSenna-S)
Other:_______________________
• Diarrhea• Stomachpain
Medicines to help with nausea (upsetstomach)
Ondansetron(Zofran®)tabletPromethazine(Phenergan®)tablet
Other:_______________________
• Constipation• Drowsiness• Drymouth• Headache
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