Download - Patient Health Guide: Total Knee Replacement (TKR)...Patient Health Guide: Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Follow your doctor’s instructions for each of the following after surgery:

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.


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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


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



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
