FAQ

Should you decide to proceed with surgery following consultation with Dr Savvoulidis – and having given your consent for this procedure – our office administration staff will provide you with all the necessary pre-operative and post operative information and instructions in your personalised surgery pack. 

This is dependent on a few factors. That you are comfortable & managing to look after yourself, that you are confident with your walking, your exercises and that you are medically fit for discharge. You are usually in hospital for 4-5 night stay. Some people may be discharged earlier if Dr Savvoulidis is happy for you to go home.
Take your pain relief regularly as prescribed. Avoid waiting until the pains become unbearable – it is better to take the pain relief on a regular basis. Drink plenty of water and eat a high fibre diet to avoid constipation which can occur when taking strong medication. Consult your GP or Pharmacist if the problem persists.

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.

You can have sex whenever you feel ready, although you are advised to be the “passive” partner during the first few weeks.

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.

It is normal to experience some ache in the joint, especially at night for the first few weeks after surgery which may require pain-killers.
  • 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 use of ice to the affected area may help with the pain and swelling. Frequent rests with the legs elevated will help with the swelling. You may use a cream called Hirudoid on the bruising which may help it dissolve quicker, but it is not necessary. The bruising will disappear after about 2 -3 weeks.

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.

Call our rooms 8331 9177, or your GP if any of the following occur:

  •  Sudden increase in pain for no apparent reason
  •  Excessive oozing, bleeding, heat, or redness around a wound site
  •  Pain, redness or heat in the calf
  •  Symptoms of fever

In case of emergency, or if you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, dial 000 and call an ambulance immediately.

Our Locations

Rose Park Surgery

62 Kensington Road, Rose Park, SA

Westcare Specialist Centre

1st Floor, 28 College Street, Port Adelaide

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Contact Details

Phone:  (08) 8331 9177
Fax:       (08) 8331 0355
Email:   admin@drsavvoulidis.com.au  

Surgery Hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

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