The patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be observed during immediate phase of post knee replacement surgery as follows:
Compliance with antibiotics medications:
- Your surgeon could recommend a course of antibiotics as a prophylactic measure, to prevent development of any infection.
- Some individuals might develop an infection during immediate post-surgical period and antibiotics could be prescribed for control of the infection.
- Observe compliance with intake of the prescribed antibiotic, as ordered, for the scheduled duration of time. Labs could be ordered to adjust the dose of antibiotic medications accordingly.
- Observe compliance with the lab draws ordered.
Compliance with pain killer medications:
- You could be placed on a lot of pain medications immediately after the surgery.
- Narcotic pain medications, such as, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine, could be prescribed to achieve better pain control, which can help overall patient wellbeing and improve patient compliance with therapy sessions.
- Observe compliance with intake of pain medications, as ordered. Do not overuse or abuse the narcotic pain medications, as they have a very high potential for addiction.
- Keep a count of your narcotic pain medications to prevent any misuse by family and friends. Do not share your narcotic pain medications with any family members or friends.
Compliance with ankle pumps:
- Ankle pump exercises are very important to keep the blood moving up along the veins in lower extremities, prevent pooling of blood due to gravity, and thus prevent formation of clots.
- Observe compliance with practicing the recommended number of ankle pumps every day to help keep the blood moving.
