Statistics show that 90 to 100% of patients are extremely satisfied with either hip or knee replacement.

The actual surgery time is usually about an hour to an hour and a half for hip or knee surgery; however with the time needed to setup anesthesia in the operating room, plan on two to three hours.

In most cases, the bandage placed after surgery is waterproof, so you can shower when you are ready. Do not immerse the incision for a month, but in most cases the incision is healed/sealed in two weeks, and it is then okay to bathe. If you have any continued drainage, you should not immerse the wound. If you have stitches or staples on the outside, you should wait two or three days after removal before bathing.

Your surgeon will try to keep all stitches under the skin, but if stitches or staples are used, they will be removed in two weeks. Removal of your stitches/staples will be done in the office or by your therapist. Usually, our staff places tape strips over the incision for a week or so.

It is a good idea to keep the plastic dressing on for two weeks so that you can shower; but the bandage can be removed in a week if you prefer. Be sure to change bandages in a sterile fashion.

Yes. Our staff will set up home physical therapy sessions to work on range of motion, walking, and strength immediately after surgery. Therapy also can be done in a rehab facility or in outpatient therapy. Therapy duration ranges from a few weeks to two months. Often, a therapist can prescribe and teach a set of exercises that you can perform alone along with occasional sessions to monitor your progress. Some unsupervised activities can be the most beneficial—particularly stationary bikes (regular or recumbent) and swimming.

It ranges. If you have had a joint replaced on your left side, then you can return to driving (an automatic transmission) when you are no longer using narcotics. Six weeks is a typical time frame to return to driving. Be sure to practice in a parking lot until you are comfortable.

Hip replacements are easier than knee replacements to get moving, but in general you can expect: sedentary job hip replacement: 2-3 weeks, knee replacement: 3 to 4 weeks; rigorous standing or walking job—2 to 3 months.

About a month, but it can depend on your activity level. If you return to normal activities after a couple weeks, it is usually safe to discontinue a formal blood thinner. Many patients are recommended to continue taking either a full or baby strength aspirin.

Usually after the first couple weeks you can remove the stockings at night. While at home, you can remove the stockings and assess any ankle swelling. You should use the stockings until your ankle swelling is the same as it was before the surgery.

Only 1 day following surgery, but antibiotics will be given lifelong for dental procedures.

Yes, there is potential to set off security metal detectors. It is much more common for knee replacements to set off detectors than hip. Wear clothing that will allow you to easily show the surgical scar.

You can get around with a very stiff knee if it is pain-free. Normal activities require the following motion for knee replacement: 70 degrees of motion for level walking, 90 degrees for going up stairs and 100 degrees to descend easily, 110 degrees to get up from a low chair without using your arms.

Getting your leg as straight as possible will decrease the energy required to walk and stand. Hip range of motion is generally not a problem to achieve.