Questions to ask your doctor after knee replacement

You had surgery to get a new knee joint.

Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your new joint.

Questions

When will I go home?

• Will I be able to go straight home, or do I need to go to a rehabilitation facility for more recovery?

How active will I be after I go home?

• How long will I need to use crutches or a walker after I go home?
• When can I begin to place weight on my new joint?
• How much weight can I put on my new joint?
• Do I need to be careful about how I sit or move around?
• How much walking can I do? Do I need to use a cane?
• Will I be able to walk without pain? How far?
• When will I be able to do other activities, such as golf, swimming, tennis, or hiking?

Will I have pain medicines when I go home? How should I take them?

Will I need to take blood thinners when I go home?

• How often? How long?
• Do I need to have my blood drawn to monitor how the drugs affect me?

How can I get my home ready before I go to the hospital?

• How much help will I need when I come home?
• Will I be able to get out of bed?
• How can I make my home safer for me?
• How can I make my home easier to get around?
• How can I make it easier for myself in the bathroom and shower?
• What type of supplies will I need when I get home?
• Do I need to rearrange my home?
• What should I do if there are steps that go to my bedroom or bathroom?

What are the signs that something is wrong with my new knee?

• How can I prevent problems with my new knee?

How do I take care of my surgical wound?

• How often should I change the dressing? How do I wash the wound?
• What should my wound look like? What wound problems do I need to watch for?
• When do sutures and staples come out?
• Can I take a shower? Can I take a bath or soak in the hot tub? How about swimming?