7 SOUTH WEST: GOING HOME
AFTER YOUR TOTAL KNEE
REPLACEMENT
Medication
Before you leave the hospital, the pharmacist will discuss your medications with you so you know the
correct dosage and how long you should take the medication.
The most common medication is for pain relief. We use a combination of medications, with different
effects to provide pain relief.
Please note that you are not expected to be completely free of pain, but have enough relief so
as to be able to exercise your knee. Pain should settle over several weeks with reduced medications
required.
Medication
Suggested
dose
1 gm 3x day
regular
Duration
Benefit
Side effects
Ongoing
Baseline pain
relief
Boosts opioid
effect
Liver issues if take
too much
In many other pain
products
Meloxicam
7.5-15 mg day
If needed
Anti-inflammatory
Stomach upset
Kidney problems if
too much, too long
Gabapentin
300 mg 2x day
Approximately 1
week
Nerve drug
Reduces pain
sensitivity
Sleepiness
Unsteadiness
Oxycodone /
Naloxone slow
release (Targin)
20/10 mg 2x
day
For 5 days post op
Strong pain relief
Constipation
Drowsiness
Nausea
Tolerance forming
Oxycodone
quick release
(Endone)
5 mg every 4
hrs if required
For extra pain
Pain relief before
relief, e.g. before
or after exercises
exercises
May be needed for
up to 2 weeks
Paracetamol
Constipation
For some patients, pain settles quickly and medications can be reduced quickly, while for others,
medications may be required for longer. Please talk to your GP or surgeon about your progress and
need for pain relief medications as you recover. Many pain relief medications can cause constipation
so ensure that you have adequate fibre and fluids to help with regularity.
Wound
Your wound will need to be reviewed two weeks post your surgery.
The ward staff will instruct you where to have the review.
Your dressing should remain on for 2 weeks.
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Patients are advised to follow these instructions:

Avoid driving until you have been review by your surgeon (usually 6 weeks)

Make sure you maintain a good diet to allow your body to heal quickly

Return to work will be patient specific and as per medical advice
Contact the orthopaedic ward or present to the emergency department
if any of the following occur:








Temperatures higher than 38.5°, fever, sweating, shivering or chills
Severe knee pain or tenderness
Heavy bleeding from the incision
Redness around the incision that is spreading
Worsening pain or stiffness of the knee
Loss of mobility after a fall with increased pain
Any concerns regarding the surgery
Swelling and pain in the calf or ankle of either leg
When will I see the doctor?
A follow up appointment (at 2 or 6 weeks) will be made for you to return to the hospital after the
surgery to review your wound, discuss the outcome of your surgery and answer any questions you
may have.
It is important that the orthopaedic team continue to monitor your progress following your surgery.
Our main concern is failure of the implant or infection which may require a second operation. You will
be reviewed annually via clinic appointments or questionnaires in the mail. X-rays will be arranged
the day after your surgery, at 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and then every second year.
Information regarding your surgery and hospital stay will be sent to your general practitioner
Contact
Pre surgery
If you have any queries about your operation prior to your surgery, please contact
John Gardiner (Orthopaedic Liaison Nurse): 9342 4081
Post Surgery
Orthopaedic ward: contact 9342 7000, asked to be put through to ward 7SW
If you have not been provided appointments for follow up in the clinic, please call
Bernarda Cavka (Joint Replacement Clinic): 9342 7440
Access & Demand| ORTH01.31B| Tobi Wilson| February 2014
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