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Patient Instructions

Ambulatory Surgery Center

Before Surgery

  1. STOP aspirin 7 days prior to surgery
  2. STOP shaving or waxing legs 7 days prior to surgery
  3. STOP herbal supplements 7 days prior to surgery
  4. STOP blood thinners (e.g. coumadin, plavix, eliquis) 4 days prior to surgery
  5. STOP NSAIDs (e.g. advil, aleve, celebrex, mobic) 3 days prior surgery
  6. STOP ACE inhibitors and ARBs 2 days prior to surgery
  7. Continue Beta blockers the morning of surgery with a small sip of water
  8. Drink plenty of water the day before surgery
  9. If scheduled for morning surgery, nothing to eat or drink after midnight If scheduled for afternoon surgery, nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to surgery
  10.  Fill all prescriptions given at pre operative appointment prior to surgery

Day of Surgery

  1. Bring photo ID, insurance card and glasses if needed for filling out paperwork
  2. NO jewelry, eye make-up, or contact lenses
  3. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing
  4. Plan to have transportation and 24 hour care after discharge

After Surgery

All medications below should be filled prior to surgery and are to be taken post operatively.

  • Celebrex 200mg once daily for 14 days
  • Tylenol 1000mg every 8 hours for 10 days
  • Aspirin 81mg twice daily for 30 days
  • Tramadol 50mg 2 tablets every 8 hours for 10 days
  • Oxycodone 5mg 1-3 tablets every 3 hours as needed for pain

Note all medications excluding oxycodone are scheduled, take them as directed.

Providence Portland

Before Surgery

  1. STOP aspirin 7 days prior to surgery
  2. STOP shaving or waxing legs 7 days prior to surgery
  3. STOP herbal supplements 7 days prior to surgery
  4. STOP blood thinners (e.g. coumadin, plavix, eliquis) 4 days prior to surgery
  5. STOP NSAIDs (e.g. advil, aleve, celebrex, mobic) 3 days prior surgery
  6. STOP ACE inhibitors and ARBs 2 days prior to surgery
  7. Continue Beta blockers the morning of surgery with a small sip of water
  8. Drink plenty of water the day before surgery
  9. If scheduled for morning surgery, nothing to eat or drink after midnight If scheduled for afternoon surgery, nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to surgery

Day of Surgery

  1. Arrival time is 2 hours prior to surgery
  2. Bring photo ID, insurance card and glasses if needed for filling out paperwork
  3. NO jewelry, eye make-up, or contact lenses
  4. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing
  5. Plan to have transportation and 24 hour care after discharge

Providence Portland Total Joint Teaching Class by Appointment

Total Hip Class - Monday at 11am
Total Knee Class - Monday & Thursday at 1pm

Location - Cancer Tower 8th floor East family waiting room
Directions - Park in the 47th Street parking structure or Valet at the Cancer Tower entrance
Take the Tower Elevators by the water fountain to the 8th floor
East family waiting room is between rooms 821 & 822

Call to Schedule - (503) 215-6059

Joint partners/caregivers encouraged to attend

If walking is difficult, please call for the Providence Rover or a wheelchair at the front desk

Legacy Good Sammaritan

Before Surgery

  1. STOP aspirin 7 days prior to surgery
  2. STOP shaving or waxing legs 7 days prior to surgery
  3. STOP herbal supplements 7 days prior to surgery
  4. STOP blood thinners (e.g. coumadin, plavix, eliquis) 4 days prior to surgery
  5. STOP NSAIDs (e.g. advil, aleve, celebrex, mobic) 3 days prior surgery
  6. STOP ACE inhibitors and ARBs 2 days prior to surgery
  7. Continue Beta blockers the morning of surgery with a small sip of water
  8. Drink plenty of water the day before surgery
  9. If scheduled for morning surgery, nothing to eat or drink after midnight If scheduled for afternoon surgery, nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to surgery
  10.  Fill all prescriptions given at pre operative appointment prior to surgery

Day of Surgery

  1. Bring photo ID, insurance card and glasses if needed for filling out paperwork
  2. NO jewelry, eye make-up, or contact lenses
  3. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing
  4. Plan to have transportation and 24 hour care after discharge

After Surgery

All medications below should be filled prior to surgery and are to be taken post operatively.

  • Celebrex 200mg once daily for 14 days
  • Tylenol 1000mg every 8 hours for 10 days
  • Aspirin 81mg twice daily for 30 days
  • Tramadol 50mg 2 tablets every 8 hours for 10 days
  • Oxycodone 5mg 1-3 tablets every 3 hours as needed for pain

Note all medications excluding oxycodone are scheduled, take them as directed.

Post-Operative Instructions

Day of Surgery

  1. Relax and elevate the leg while at rest.
  2. Resume your regular diet as tolerated and stay well hydrated.
  3. Use ice to the surgical site as needed to control pain & swelling.
  4. Use crutches or a walker to help with balance and walking until cleared by your PT.
  5. Begin taking your medications on a regular schedule to meet your needs to rest and mobilize.  Start aspirin 81mg twice daily for 30 days to prevent blood clot.

Post-op Day 1

  1. Continue use of ice to the surgical site as needed.
  2. May shower leaving the Mepilex silver dressing in place. 
  3. If the dressing becomes saturated or starts to come off, it is OK to take down and leave open to air.
  4. If there is discharge from the incision, notify the office .

Post-op Day 2

  1. Continue use of ice to the surgical site as needed.
  2. Increase activity as pain allows.
  3. Work on range of motion exercises 3 times a day
  4. If you have had a knee replacement, you should have had your 1st PT by now. If not scheduled, call the office.
  • You can bear full weight on the affected leg as tolerated.  It is important to use crutches or a walker to prevent falls and reestablish a normal gait pattern.  Most patients use crutches or a walker for 1-2 weeks.  Your improving gait pattern will be your guide to discontinuing use of a walking aid.
  • Swelling, warmth, and redness around the surgical site are common.  Bruising may also be present at the surgical site or further down the leg.  Ensure the incision stays dry.
  • No driving until cleared by your surgical team.
  • Unless emergent, it is best to avoid dental work or other invasive procedures for 12 weeks after joint replacement.

Please call with questions anytime. The answering service will direct you after hours.