When Can I Return to Work?
Normally within 6-12 weeks post-surgery.
When Can I Return to Driving?
Normally you will be cleared to drive approximately 6 weeks after your surgery. All patients will need to be off narcotic medication to drive.
When Can I Return to the Normal Gym Activities?
Patients can return to most gym activities approximately 6 weeks after surgery. Total hips patient will have to avoid certain body positions for 3 months after surgery. These are listed in your hip precautions.
How Long Should I Expect to Be in the Hospital?
A typical hospital stay is 2 days, although some patients stay the 3rd day when indicated.
Will I Need Special Equipment at Home?
Dr. Moore’s staff will arrange for you to have the equipment needed for your return home. The equipment needed includes a rolling walker and an elevated toilet seat with handles (3 in 1, this may be used as a stand-alone, over the existing commode, or in the shower).
Most often this equipment will be supplied by T&T Technology who will arrange to bring to your home or choice of recovery.
Will I Need Physical Therapy After Surgery?
Dr. Moore will arrange for patients to have PT at your home for a short period of time and then most patients will practice their suggested exercises without formal supervision. If you feel a more formal approach works best for you, additional physical therapy can discuss this with Dr. Moore or staff.
How Can I Arrange for My Home PT?
The discharge planners at the hospital will arrange after surgery for a physical therapist to come to your home once you have been released from the hospital. The discharge planner will arrange for a company that is in-network with your insurance and covers the area that you will be recovering in. These arrangements cannot be made before surgery as insurances require documentation of your progress after surgery before approving services.
Will I Be Given Pain Medication?
Yes, Pain medication is given to patients upon discharge from the hospital, in most situations this will last until the patients first post op appointment. If needed patients may have one final refill then continue to use Tylenol and/or Aleve.
What Type of Anesthesia Will Be Used During Surgery?
In most cases, a spinal anesthetic will be used. You will be numb from the waist down. Most patients choose to be sedated during the surgery but some would prefer to be wide awake. This method is a safer choice of anesthesia and your recovery is more rapid. In RARE cases we will choose to use general anesthesia.
Will I Have a Catheter?
It is common for patients having inpatient replacement surgery to have a catheter placed in their bladder prior to surgery. This catchier is in place for less than 24 hours.
Will I Go Home or to a Skilled Nursing Facility?
Dr. Moore prefers that his patients return home. Over 90% of patients undergoing Hip and Knee Replacement will return to their own surroundings. If you stay in a skilled nursing facility prior to surgery then you will return after surgery.
How Long Will the Implant Last?
Usually, both knee and hip replacements will last 20-25 years due to improved technology and materials.
What Type of Materials Make Up My Implant?
Dr. Moore most often uses implants with a combination of materials. Most knee and hip replacements will consist of Trabecular metal, Cobalt Chrome, and high-grade polyethylene.
What Implant Will Dr. Moore Use?
Dr. Moore uses implants made by Zimmer-Biomet in most cases. Click here to visit Zimmerbiomet.com
Can I Use My Own Medication at the Hospital?
No, It is our hospital policy to provide you with all your needed medications.
Why Are Labs Required Within 30 Days With No Surgery?
It is our hospital policy to have recent (within 30 days of surgical procedures) lab work on each surgical patient.
Why Do I Need to Bring My Medications in the Bottles and Not a List?
It is Dr. Moore’s policy to have the most up to date medication information. Many times patients may be unclear on certain medications or dosages. With a large array of medications available it may be difficult to go by memory.
Why Do I Need to See My Dentist for Clearance Prior to Surgery?
Dr. Moore strives to make sure each patient is at low risk for infection. Patients who have a dental infection are at an increased risk for infection to be transfer to their surgical site during surgery. Dental infections may go unnoticed because pain or swelling may not be present and will require close examination to be detected.
Skilled Nursing Facility Vs In-Patient Facility?
Dr. Moore prefers that patients be discharged home with the assistance of home physical therapy for several weeks after a hospital discharged. Many patients think that skilled nursing facilities are the best after a replacement but this is not always the case. It is rare that patients go to a skilled nursing facility after surgery and unlikely patients go to an inpatient rehab facility.
When Can I Return to My Golf and Tennis Game?
Dr. Moore is happy for you to start your activities again. We advise you to ease back into golf and doubles tennis approximately six weeks after surgery.
When Can I Shower?
You may shower when you go home with an occlusive dressing on your incision. Once you have showered you will dry off and remove the old dressing and replace it with a new occlusive dressing. Please avoid baths/soaking for six weeks.
Can I Have a Handicap Tag?
Dr. Moore will provide surgical patients with a form that allows them to receive a temporary handicap parking access for a maximum of 6 months after surgery. You may get the form from our office and take to your local license plate agency. If you reside in South Carolina please specify when requesting the form.
Should I Begin an Exercise Program Prior to Having Surgery?
Non-impact aerobic activities such as elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, and swimming will prepare your system for a rapid recovery.
Do I Need to Donate Blood Prior to Surgery?
This is not necessary for our patients. Through our advanced surgical processes, blood loss is typically very minimal. Transfusion rates for both hip and knee replacement surgeries are about 2-4%.
When Will I Be Able to Get Out of Bed and Walk?
Our patient will normally have physical therapy on the day of surgery. We will have you out of bed and walking with a walker before you leave the hospital.
Can I Take Any Medications for Pain After I Have Discontinued My Anti-inflammatories?
Once you have been asked to stop taking your anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) you may take extra-strength Tylenol until midnight the day before your surgery.
Is It Normal to Have Pain and Swelling After Surgery?
It is typical to have pain and swelling in the medial or inside of your knee (for knee surgeries) and whole leg region in the first few weeks after both knee and hip surgery. The bruising will began to resolve in the next few weeks but the swelling may persist for the next few months and increases with activity. If your swelling continues you may find it helpful to elevate and ice as much as possible or you may use over-the-counter medications such as Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, and Motrin. In some cases, a prescription NSAID can be given.
When Will I Know My Arrival Time for Surgery?
Our office will call you one business day before your surgery with your arrival time at the hospital. These times are not determined completely by our office but are a collaboration between our office and the OR. We try to make arrangements for patients with major medical problems to have surgery earlier in the day. Your arrival time is only a time you will need to arrive to start your surgical process not your estimated time of surgery. The hospital process normally takes up to 2 hours to prepare patients for their surgery.
When Can I Discontinue My Aspirin After Surgery?
Most patients are able to stop taking your 325 mg aspirin 6 weeks after surgery.
Do I Need to Take the Antibiotic Before Any Dental, Urological, and Colonoscopy?
Dr. Moore prefers that patients wait till three months after your surgery before having any dental cleanings or procedures. After three months we require LIFELONG antibiotic prophylaxis for all DENTAL, UROLOGIC, AND COLONOSCOPY. Please contact our office to inform us of your upcoming procedure and we will make arrangements for you to have an appropriate prescription for antibiotic therapy.
When Will I Know My Financial Responsibility for the Surgery?
Dr. Moore’s staff will check benefits on each patient as well as obtain any needed pre-authorization if required by your insurance. Our financial team will call or give written notice of an estimated quote for surgery. The hospital will notify each patient with a quote for your hospital’s responsibility as well.
What Type of Approach Does Dr. Moore Use for His Surgeries?
Most often in knee replacements, Dr. Moore will have an incision in the midline (middle) of the knee and uses a special sub-vastus approach, cutting UNDER the skin on the inside of the knee to eliminate the need to cut muscles. This is a second incision that can NOT be seen after surgery and allows for stronger quadriceps tendon strength and faster recovery. Dr. Moore uses a mini posterior approach for hip replacement surgeries. This approach is a small incision on the outside of the hip and a second incision through the external rotator’s muscle with this being reattached once the surgery is complete allowing patients to return to a normal gait function faster.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re interested in learning more about Dr. Moore and the procedure we offer please contact us for a consultation at 910.295.0224 or fill out our contact us form. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.
