Recovery time is different for each person. Remember that it is important that you rest once you get home. It is suggested that you rest on your bed for and hour in the morning and the afternoon for the first week or two. You should do your exercises and go for a short walk but do not over do it.

It is suggested that you go and see a physio about 2 weeks after your surgery so that they can monitor your progress with your walking and your exercise regime. Do not allow them to massage the operated area or surrounds. Please continue with your exercises for at least three months to get an excellent outcome from your surgery.

Generally six weeks for low impact sport and once reviewed by the Doctor. If you want to do any other high impact sport please check with Dr Savvoulidis before starting.

Once your dressing is removed and the wound has healed and it is dry and intact. Usually about 3 weeks after surgery.

Sedentary job at about 3-4 weeks and heavy manual work or other physical work please wait until you are reviewed by Dr Savvoulidis.

When you feel comfortable using your leg fully. For most people this is at about 4-6 weeks. Please also check with your insurance company as they may have specific rules when you can drive after surgery.

Each person is different in their needs at discharge home from hospital. You will be able to look after yourself on discharge from hospital. You will need assistance at home with general household duties, shopping and any outside work for about 4 weeks. Let other people help if they offer.

Defer any non-urgent dental procedures in the first 3 months after surgery. If emergency surgery is required within the first 3 months then recommended for LA extractions or deep curettage, root canal, and implants – Amoxycillin 2-3 grams orally 1 hour prior to precedure. Dental treatment after 3 months in a patient with a normally functioning artificial joint. Routine dental treatment including extraction – No antibiotic prophylaxis required. Dental treatment for patients with significant risk factors ie diabetes, immunocompromised, previous joint infection, cancer or rheumatoid arthritis the need for antibiotics should be discussed with the patient’s consulting physician, dentist or orthopaedic surgeon.

As soon as you are comfortable. There are no restrictions. You may find it helpful to use pillows for support.

3 months from the date of surgery.

When your pain is settling and you are moving freely and feeling comfortably. Most people will have stopped their drugs by 3 weeks.

As a precaution and to check if you have any deep vein thrombosis in your legs.

To check for the positioning of your new hip/knee.

• Knee: It is normal for the knee to be warm, swollen and stiff for 3-6 weeks after surgery. Some patients may experience, pain, swelling and stiffness for a number of months after surgery.
• Hip: It is normal for the hip area to be warm & swollen after surgery. You may even experience pain in the thigh muscle after surgery. There may be obvious bruising along the leg from the groin area and down the leg.

The dressing can be removed one week later. If it should come off earlier than this you may leave it uncovered as long as the wound is dry and intact.

It depends on the sensitivity of the detectors at the airport but probably yes. As joint replacement cards do not have photo ID on them; we do not routinely offer them to patients. We would be happy to do so if a patient requests one.