• Contact Us
The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care
  • Home
  • Hip & Knee Surgery
    • Philosophy
    • Hip Surgery
    • Hip Conditions
    • Knee Surgery
    • Knee Conditions
  • What to Expect
    • Vision
    • Meet Dr. Leone
    • State-of-the-Art Facility
    • In the News
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Personalized Care
    • Preparing for Surgery
    • Day of Surgery
    • Pain Management
    • Best Practices
    • Physical Activity Timeline
  • Testimonials
  • Blogs
    • English Blog
    • Spanish Blog
    • Portuguese Blog
  • Patient Resources
    • Ask Your Surgeon
    • Medicare & Insurance
    • Downloads
    • Patient Rights
  • Video Library
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Headlines2 / Hip Surgery3 / Postoperative Care: What to Expect after Hip and Knee Replacement Surg...
Patient at the Leone Center for Orthopedic Care

Postoperative Care: What to Expect after Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

Much of the content on my blog explores the signs and causes of hip and knee degeneration as well as how to decide if and what type of hip or knee replacement surgery is right for you. In this blog, I will discuss what to expect after surgery, from the recovery room to postoperative home care and rehabilitation.

Both hip and knee replacement surgical techniques have greatly advanced, allowing surgeons to perform less-invasive and more precise procedures.  These two factors alone facilitate a faster recovery process.  Also, the sterile conditions under which I perform these surgeries, including body exhaust suits worn by me and my team, meticulous handling of tissues, and a comprehensive regimen of antibiotics, have vastly diminished the risk of postoperative infection.

In a previous blog, Managing Postoperative Pain, I outlined in detail the multimodal strategy I use to anticipate and manage my patients’ postoperative pain.  Managing pain eases both the mental and physical effects of surgery and allows patients to get back on their feet more quickly. Our goal and strategy are to minimize and preempt pain by “staying ahead of the pain curve.”  Although managing postoperative pain actually begins prior to surgery, medications also are administered in the operating room and continue postoperatively. Partial or total knee replacement patients also get an adductor nerve block placed before their procedure starts and before nerves are stimulated.  During surgery, a combination of three medicines from different drug classes is injected into the surgical area which further reduces early postoperative pain.

Most of my patients receive a regional or spinal anesthetic. This creates temporary numbness and paralysis below their belly button. Patients sleep completely and comfortably throughout the procedure. Importantly they do not require intubation (placing a breathing tube down their throat) because they breathe on their own and require fewer drugs than when general anesthesia is used.  Patients also tend to bleed less with spinal anesthesia. Because their paralysis slowly wears off after a couple of hours, any pain they may have is more easily titrated and controlled. Prior to even making an incision, my patient receives an IV steroid which helps down-regulate pain and tranexamic acid which decreases bleeding during the operation and post-operatively. IV antibiotics are also given prior to making an incision.

Once in the recovery room, I prescribe a combination of Intravenous (IV) NSAIDs and Tylenol. While narcotics are often given, the dose required is much less than what was given historically, therefore minimizing complications that narcotics can cause such as nausea and confusion. Many patients do not require any narcotics.

Nearly all my patients are fully alert and begin walking just a couple of hours after their surgery. This is truly wonderful and remarkable, particularly considering the slower pace of post-op rehab just several years ago.   Every patient goes into surgery with a preoperative plan. This has been a huge confidence builder which has resulted in faster and more predictable rehab. For most patients, their plan is to go home later the day of their surgery. For others, it might be to stay one or two nights on our orthopedic specialty floor before going home. Occasionally more extended rehabilitation is necessary and arrangements are made for transfer to another facility after discharge from Holy Cross Health.  We help every patient create their own plan, even if it needs to be changed.

Physical and occupational therapists review exercises including getting in and out of bed, stair climbing, and using a walker.  Part of each patients’ discharge plan is arrangements for physical therapy once home, and already having any medicines including narcotics if appropriate before going home. Also, have any equipment such as a walker or cane that you might need waiting for you. All discharge information is written down for you, including having a post-operative appointment for suture removal two weeks after surgery,  the specific agency who will be providing the physical therapist, home exercises for you to do, and specific instructions on taking pain meds. This is “our recipe” that has resulted in a smoother, more confident and faster recovery. Also, a happier patient who has a better experience.

Our goal at The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care is to combine leading-edge technology with good old-fashioned care where the doctor-patient relationship is as important as the treatment.  In my experience, patients who go into surgery prepared and knowing what to expect,  recover much more quickly.  And that is our mission, to restore quality of life by making every step count.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
  • Link to Instagram
https://holycrossleonecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Me-and-patient-talking-in-suite.jpg 2000 3008 Joseph Corsino https://holycrossleonecenter.com///wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Leone-Center-Logo@2x.png Joseph Corsino2022-04-17 09:14:152022-04-25 14:29:10Postoperative Care: What to Expect after Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery
You might also like
Joint Preservation Strategies to Delay the Need for Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery
Frequent Reader Questions about Knee Replacement Surgery
When is Knee Replacement Surgery Right for You?
Exparel: a New, Long-lasting Local Anesthetic that Decreases Postoperative Pain after Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery
Postoperative Care
VERASENSE Sensor is a game changer for knee replacement surgery
8 replies
  1. stan cornell
    stan cornell says:
    August 14, 2013 at 9:42 am

    do you accept Human Gold Plus Insurance?

    • holycrossleonecenter
      holycrossleonecenter says:
      August 14, 2013 at 11:10 am

      Hi Stan,

      Dr. Leone has opted out of Medicare since October of 2009’. If you would like to come in to see Dr. Leone, his fee is $250 and includes X-rays. If it’s determined that they need a hip or knee replacement, Dr. Leone’s fee would be $5,500. The initial consultation fee would be deducted from the surgery fee, and all office visits for 90 days after the surgery is included in the surgery fee. Then, every year or two you would come back in for a follow up visit, which is then charged at a reduced rate of $150.00 including the X-rays. Everything else that may be associated with your surgery; “hospitalization, anesthesia, rehab and any medical equipment that may be necessary”, would all be covered by their Humana Gold plan. Just Dr. Leone’s fee is an out of pocket expense.

      Thank You,
      The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care Staff

  2. Michael
    Michael says:
    August 29, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Very informative post, and great timing to find this as my mother is having a hip replacement surgery next week. Thanks for sharing!

    • Jim
      Jim says:
      October 15, 2013 at 4:22 am

      I require narcotic pain meds for severe pain caused by my other medical conditions and hip pain. Will I be given the narcotics after hip replacement while in the hospital and while in a rehab facility and for use later in my home?

      • holycrossleonecenter
        holycrossleonecenter says:
        October 16, 2013 at 9:16 am

        Hi Jim,

        If you already require narcotics and use them on a regular basis, then your body has built up a tolerance. What this means is that post-operatively you will need your baseline medications as well as additional pain medications to be comfortable. Weaning off all narcotics may be an ultimate goal, but decreasing or eliminating narcotics in the post-operative course simply is not appropriate. Because of other medications and modalities I use to combat post-operative pain, I do find that people who are addicted to narcotics still require far less medications than I’ve had to use in the past due to the multimodal regime I use now.

        Thank you,
        Dr Leone

  3. Denise
    Denise says:
    October 16, 2013 at 10:13 am

    This blog is incredible. Very informative and gives me hope that, as a single mother, I won’t be left on my own during recovery. Looking forward to meeting with Dr. Leone.

  4. rrenamichelle
    rrenamichelle says:
    June 22, 2015 at 11:12 am

    I would like to have advice for me ,to help a dear close friends that the husband is having hip and knee surgery done at the same time.he has ,ms.he will later on have the opposite done.what can I do to help the wife ,to help her husband have an easier recovery time.he has been in so much pain for so many years ,I just want to help him to rest ,eat ,sect.I want to really help in someway.thank you,have a good day.

    • holycrossleonecenter
      holycrossleonecenter says:
      June 30, 2015 at 10:18 am

      Dear Rrena,

      The family or primary caretaker often does feel a tremendous amount of anxiety and pressure when a loved one is about to undergo surgery. It’s been my experience that when the family or caretaker, as well as the patient, are directly involved in the preoperative education process, then everyone has a better experience. Knowledge is power. When one knows what to expect and what the plan is, it results in much less anxiety.

      Your friend needs to feel enabled and that she’s not being put in a vulnerable position that she’s not comfortable with. I would encourage her to write down all her questions and concerns and then address each with the surgeon or his/her “team.” In the hospital, there also will be team to address concerns and help plan for hospital discharge and post- hospital-stay patient care and therapy. She needs to feel assured that her husband will not be discharged until a safe and acceptable plan has been agreed upon. She needs to know that both of them will have the help needed once he is home.

      You can help your friend be encouraging her to be involved in the preoperative process to understand the plan. If he will require going to another facility after his surgery, she can find out from his insurance company which facilities will be available to him and then visit those facilities ahead of time so that they can make a more informed decision. You then can help your friend by standing by her and supporting her.

      I wish you, your friend and her husband all the best.
      Dr. William Leone

Comments are closed.

Make an Appointment

Categories

  • Approaches
  • Awards
  • Best Practices
  • Cadera
  • Complications
  • Concierge
  • Hip Conditions
  • Hip Surgery
  • joelho
  • Knee Conditions
  • Knee Surgery
  • la Obesidad
  • Most Shared
  • News
  • Pain Management
  • Patient Concerns
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Activity Timeline
  • Procedures
  • Quadril
  • Rodilla
  • Surgical Techniques
  • Technologies
  • Uncategorized

Archives

ABOUT

Hip & Knee Surgery
What to Expect
Patient Resources
Blog
Testimonials
Contact Us

TOPICS

Approaches
Complications
Pain Management
Patient Concerns

Procedures
Surgical Techniques
Technologies

The Leone Center
for Orthopedic Care

1000 NE 56th Street,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Get Directions

Phone: 954-489-4575
Fax: 954-489-4584
Email us

© Copyright 2018 - 2023 The Leone Center for Orthopedic Care
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Los beneficios del reemplazo parcial vs. el reemplazo total de la rodillaMedical Tourism: at What Cost? Having Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Outside...
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy
Accept settingsHide notification only