hip and knee arthritis

Preparing for hip and knee replacement surgery

Prepare for joint replacement surgery

Do you have hip or knee arthritis? When non-operative treatments have failed, it may be time for joint replacement surgery. When you decide to have surgery, Dr. Monesmith answers your questions and walks through what to expect after total joint replacement surgery.

Prepare for your hip or knee replacement

When you schedule your appointment, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Within that email please click the link and complete the necessary forms for Dr. Monesmith.

Once the decision is made to have joint replacement surgery, you will have a medical evaluation by an OrthoIndy internal medicine physician in the preoperative clinic. This evaluation helps reduce the risk of problems that may occur after surgery.

Learn more about the preoperative clinic

Dr. Monesmith offers genetic testing to determine which pain medicine will work best for you. The test is completed in the office prior to surgery.

VIDEO: WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT BEFORE JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

What to expect during joint replacement surgery

Dr. Monesmith performs both hip replacement and knee replacement surgery. Learn more about each procedure.

Total hip replacement surgery involves removing the diseased portion of the hip joint. An artificial hip, known as a prosthesis, replaces it. The worn hip socket is replaced by a cup, and the worn head of the thigh bone is replaced by a ball on a stem that is inserted into the thigh bone. These parts are made of metal and plastic and come in various sizes and designs.

HIP REPLACEMENT HANDOUT

Total knee replacement surgery involves removing and reshaping the diseased portion of the knee joint. An artificial knee, known as a prosthesis, replaces it. Dr. Monesmith will decide whether you will need a total knee replacement or a minimally invasive partial knee replacement.

KNEE REPLACEMENT HANDOUT

PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT HANDOUT

Surgical Risks

The three main risks of joint replacement surgery are blood loss, infection and blood clots. Dr. Monesmith requires each patient to have a healthy weight before surgery to reduce the risk of complications and infection. Dr. Monesmith will provide suggestions on how to become a good candidate for joint replacement surgery by safely losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Watch videos about your particular procedure

Recovery after joint replacement surgery

After joint replacement surgery, you will be up walking the day of surgery. A physical therapist will instruct you in the use of a walker or crutches. Discharge plans will be made for you. Most patients are safe and ready to go home on the first or second post-operative day.

Once home, you will need to perform some simple range of motion exercises daily that we will teach you in the hospital. Your family, friends or neighbors should be included in the plans for your rehabilitation at home and should check on you once a day if possible.

Dr. Monesmith’s physician assistant, Kim Goeltz explains what to expect after your joint replacement.

WATCH VIDEO ABOUT AFTER SURGERY