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Is my
post-surgery pain normal?
Pain from knee surgery tends to resolve in a
few days. You may continue to have some
soreness and stiffness anywhere from six
weeks to three months. This should disappear
gradually with exercise and increased
activity. If you develop pain after
exercising with weights or walking without a
walker or crutches, you may be overwhelming
the knee.
To help with pain, decrease the amount of
weight used during exercises, and
periodically elevate your leg and put ice on
it. If the pain does not resolve in a day or
two, contact your surgeon.
How long will I have swelling?
Swelling is a response to injury, and
usually depends on your activity. You should
elevate the foot above the knee and the knee
above your heart to help the swelling go
down. You should do this whenever you are
not walking. The less swelling you have, the
less pain and stiffness and the quicker the
wound will heal. Reducing the swelling is
one of the most important things you can do
post operatively.
What causes my bruising after surgery?
You may develop some discoloration (like a
bruise) in the leg. This is from bleeding
that occurred shortly after surgery but did
not drain completely into the drain that was
removed the day after surgery. This
discoloration, which may extend to the hip
or ankle, will slowly disappear.
Why does my knee click?
A clicking in your knee after knee
replacement surgery does not mean that
something is loose or wrong. Your knee
prosthesis is made of metal and plastic.
Gravity will create a normal, slight
separation of the components. When you
tighten your muscles or swing your leg, the
pieces come in contact and may make a
clicking sound.
Why does the skin feel funny around my
incision?
The nerves in the skin cross the front of
the knee in an inside-out direction. When an
incision is made down the front of the knee,
these tiny nerves are divided and the skin
on the outside will feel fuzzy or numb. This
sensation will lessen with time and is
normal for all patients with knee
replacement surgery.
What do I do if I see a stitch sticking
out?
We often suture the skin from underneath to
reduce scarring. The knot at the end of the
stitch sometimes will protrude from the
skin. Redness and a small amount of drainage
may appear. Cleanse the skin with peroxide.
If a piece of suture material appears loose,
you may remove it. If you have increased
drainage, redness, or pain, you need to
notify our office.
When can I get my knee wet?
Unless there is drainage from the incision,
you may shower when you get home. You may
wash around the incision, but do not scrub
the incision. Water doesn’t hinder the
healing, but a strong soap could irritate
the skin. After washing, gently pat the area
dry and put antibiotic ointment on the
wound. Keep it covered with a sterile
bandage.
May I put cocoa butter and vitamin E oil
on the incision?
You can apply either of these to the
incision if there is no wound drainage. One
application per day, usually after bathing,
is optional beginning ten days after
surgery. Your skin will heal fine with or
without these topical applications.
When can I drive my car?
Usually after three weeks. Occasionally some
patients are able to drive sooner. This may
depend upon whether the car has automatic
transmission, which knee had surgery, and
whether the patient has good leg control.
You may drive when you feel safe to do so.
When can I go into a swimming pool?
Ordinarily, patients may resume pool
activities after the six-week follow-up
visit. Be sure to check with a surgeon at
that time.
How long should I wear the elastic
stocking?
You should wear the elastic stocking on the
operated leg as long as you have knee or
ankle swelling. This helps reduce the chance
of blood clots.
I live alone. How will I manage after I’m
discharged from the hospital?
If you require more care and assistance
after discharge, the doctor will order
skilled nursing care for you at one of
several locations in the area, or in your
home.
How can I learn more about joint
replacements?
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula
offers a free class on joint replacements
every other Tuesday from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in
the Rehabilitation Department. Dr.
Dauphiné’s staff will help you sign up. No
prescription is required. |
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DR.
DAUPHINÉ WAS THE FIRST ORTHOPEDIST IN THE MONTEREY
BAY AREA TO OFFER: |
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Operative Arthroscopy
(1976) |
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Comprehensive
Orthopedic/Physical Therapy in one location at the
Monterey Sports Medicine Center (1981) |
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Outpatient Arthroscopic
Meniscus Repair (1983) |
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Outpatient Arthroscopic
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair (1983) |
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Outpatient Arthroscopic
Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair (1996) |
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Minimally Invasive Repicci Partial Knee Replacement (UKA 2001) |
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Outpatient Partial Knee
Replacement (2001) |
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Minimally Invasive
Total Knee Replacement (TKA 2004) |
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Oxford Mobile Bearing
Partial Knee Replacement (UKA 2006) |
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ConforMIS iPD
arthroscopic treatment for early osteoarthritis of
the knee (2007) |
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