Precautions After Total Joint Replacement Surgery

What are precautions after total joint replacement surgery?

If you have had total joint replacement surgery, your caregiver will give you precautions (safety measures). Safety measures are warnings to help you heal and avoid injury after surgery. Your joints are the parts of your body that connect two bones, such as your hip or knee. During joint replacement surgery, your hip or knee is replaced with a joint implant. This implant performs the functions of your old joint. You may need your joint replaced if it is damaged or you have a disease, such as arthritis. Following your caregiver's safety measures may help your joint heal properly. You may be less likely to damage your new implant or hurt your hip or knee.

What are weight-bearing safety measures?

Weight-bearing safety measures are instructions that tell you how much weight you can put on your replaced joint. Right after surgery, your new joint may not be able to hold much of your weight. Your caregiver will tell you how much weight you can put on your joint. Over time, your caregiver will increase the amount of weight you can bear. Following your caregiver's weight-bearing safety measures may help your joint heal properly. Too much weight may cause it to loosen and be out of place. Weight-bearing safety measures increase the chances of healthy bone growth and good attachment of the implant to your bone.

What weight-bearing safety measures may be needed after joint replacement surgery?

Ask your caregiver about weight-bearing safety measures you need to follow after surgery. Your caregiver may tell you to do any of the following weight-bearing safety measures:

• Carefully follow your caregiver's instructions on how much weight you should put on your joints. Do not put more weight on your joints than your caregiver says is okay.
  
  
• Use a cane, crutch, or walker if your caregiver says to use one. Crutches are medical tools made of wood or metal. These tools will help you get around and keep weight off of your joints.

What stair climbing safety measures may be needed after joint replacement surgery?

Ask your caregiver about stair climbing safety measures you need to follow after joint replacement surgery. Your caregiver may tell you to do any of the following stair climbing safety measures:

• Avoid going up and down stairs if you feel pain or cannot keep your balance.
  
  
• Climb stairs one at a time. Do not switch feet for each new stair. Ask your caregiver for instructions on how he wants you to go up and stairs.
  
  
• Your caregiver may want you to use crutches when going up and down stairs. Always follow your caregiver's instruction for using crutches.

What body position safety measures may be needed after joint replacement surgery?

Your caregiver may give you body position safety measures after joint replacement surgery. After hip or knee surgery, your caregiver may want you to sit in chairs that have seats as high as your knees. He also may want you to use a special extender to raise your toilet seat as high as your knees. Safety measures for body positioning after hip replacement may include:

• Do not cross your legs (putting your ankle on your knee) while sitting down.
  
  
• While lying down, do not cross one leg over the other.
  
  
• Avoid bending your hip. You may use a tool to help you reach or grab things. This may help you avoid bending or stooping to reach something you need.
  
  
• Avoid sitting for more than one hour at a time.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how long you may stand or walk at one time.
  
  
• Avoid twisting the leg that has had surgery.
  
  
• Do not lie down on the side of your body that had surgery.
  
  
• Follow your caregiver's instructions about using pillows to help position your body. Do not put a pillow under your knee when sitting or lying down.

What activity safety measures may be needed after joint replacement surgery?

Your caregiver may give you safety measures for certain activities after hip or knee replacement surgery. These safety measures may help protect your hip or knee while it is healing. Always follow your caregiver's instructions on how to use these safety measures.

• Ask your caregiver for instructions to help keep yourself from falling down.
  
  
• Do not do things that cause you joint pain.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how much weight you can carry.
  
  
• Do not put heat on your joint, such as with a heating pad.
  
  
• Avoid crawling on your hands or knees.
  
  
• Do not climb a ladder until your caregiver says it is okay.
  
  
• Do not drive a car until your caregiver says it is okay.
  
  
• After hip replacement, do not have sexual intercourse (sex) until your caregiver says it is okay.

What exercise safety measures may be needed after joint replacement surgery?

Your caregiver may give you safety measures for certain exercises after hip or knee replacement surgery. Exercise safety measures may help protect your hip or knee while it is healing.

• Do not exercise or play sports, such as jogging and tennis, until your caregiver says it is okay.
  
  
• If certain exercises cause you pain, stop doing them until your caregiver says it is okay.
  
  
• Do not do exercises while lying down, such as lifting your leg, unless your caregiver says it is okay.
  
  
• Avoid running or jumping.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how long you may walk at one time.

What exercises might be needed after joint replacement surgery?

Your caregiver may give you exercises to do after your surgery. Exercises such as stretching can strengthen your muscles and help prevent your implant from becoming loose. As your body gets stronger, exercises may include walking on a treadmill and swimming. Do not exercise more than your caregiver says is okay.

What therapists may help me after joint replacement surgery?

You may see special caregivers called therapists. Therapists may teach you safety measures that help protect your joint while it is healing. Therapists may also help you learn how to use certain tools and cope with changes from your surgery. These therapists may include:

• Physical therapy: A physical therapist helps you with special exercises. These exercises help make your bones and muscles stronger. A physical therapist may help you learn ways to safely use your new joint. Physical therapy may also help decrease your pain and help you keep your balance.
  
  
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy (OT) uses work, self-care, and play activities to help you in your daily life. OT teaches special skills for bathing, dressing, cooking, eating, or driving. An occupational therapist may teach you safe ways to get out of bed and move from your bed to a chair. An occupational therapist also may help you choose tools to use, and suggest ways to keep your home or workplace safe. You and your therapist will plan a therapy program that is right for you.

What should I know about blood thinners?

Your caregiver may have you take blood thinner medicine after your surgery. This medicine helps stop clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners may make it easier to bleed or bruise. While taking this medicine, use a soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding gums. If you shave, use an electric shaver.

Where can I get support and more information?

Call the following:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  6300 North River Road
  Rosemont , IL 60018-4262
  Phone: 1- 847 - 823-7186
  Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
  

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease
  Information Clearinghouse
  National Institutes of Health
  1 AMS Circle
  Bethesda , MD 20892-3675
  Phone: 1- 301 - 495-4484
  Phone: 1- 877 - 226-4267
  Web Address: http://www.niams.nih.gov
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have a fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• You develop bruises.
  
  
• The area near your wound (surgery site) is red, warm, swollen, or painful.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery or care.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You fall.
  
  
• You have bleeding from your wound that does not stop.
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
  
  
• You have signs of a stroke: The following signs are an emergency. Call 911 immediately if you have any of the following:
  
  
  • Weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face (may be on only one side of your body)
    
    
  • Confusion and problems speaking or understanding speech
    
    
  • A very bad headache that may feel like the worst headache of your life
    
    
  • Not being able to see out of one or both of your eyes
    
    
  • Feeling too dizzy to stand

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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