Post-surgery care is just as essential as your preparation. After your joint replacement surgery, your care team will closely monitor your condition, manage pain, and assist with early rehabilitation:

Pain Management: Immediately after surgery, an adductor canal block will reduce pain in the operative leg, allowing for a quicker recovery. Your short acting spinal will wear off and you will be able to ambulate. Post-operative medications, including acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs, will be prescribed to manage discomfort. There will be minimal narcotics if you require additional pain medication. This is rare, and the ice machine and Tylenol usually suffice.

Monitoring & Wound Care: You will be closely monitored for vital signs and with ice on the surgical area. Compression stockings will be applied to prevent blood clots. Your surgical sterile dressing placed in the OR will stay on for two weeks. Hip dressings are removed by the patient after 2 weeks. Knee dressings are removed in the office at two week follow up. Do not get the dressing wet. Cover dressing when showering. If you have a hemovac drain, you will remove it after 24-48 hours. Dr. Sumko will give you instructions on the day of surgery.

Rehabilitation: Physical therapy begins 4-5 days after surgery and you will have a prescription in you discharge packet. You will be introduced to simple exercises to promote healing and prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You will ice and elevate 30 minutes out of every hour while you are awake. The remaining 30 minutes is dedicated to gentle range of motion or ROM Tech bicycle while you are awake. The NICE Ice machine may be set to remain in place while you sleep, giving you an additional 8 hours of ice therapy while you sleep.
Adhering to post-operative care instructions is critical for minimizing risks and ensuring a quicker recovery.