Questions for Doctor: Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery

If you are thinking about hip or knee replacement surgery, here are some important questions to ask your doctor.

I have symptoms, and I think I might need a knee or hip replacement.

1. Could my symptoms be a sign of osteoarthritis?
2. What are the steps to get tested to see if I need a knee or hip replacement?
3. What treatments should I try before getting a joint replacement?
4. My pain is getting worse. What pain medicine can I take?
5. What else can I do to ease my symptoms?

My doctor and I have discussed joint replacement, and this is a follow-up visit.

1. Even though I take medicine, I’m still in pain. Can I safely increase my dose, or should I try a different pain medicine?
2. What should I do to get ready for surgery?
3. Should I try to lose weight?
4. Can the surgery be done robotically?
5. Would complementary approaches like massage or acupuncture help?
6. What should I expect after joint replacement surgery?

I am planning on knee or hip replacement, but I’m sick or having problems.

1. Could my symptoms mean my joint damage is getting worse?
2. My pain limits what I can do every day. Do I need a different pain reliever?
3. Will surgery relieve all my pain?
4. How long after surgery till I can get back to my normal activities?
5. Is there anything I can do before surgery to speed my recovery?

Deciding whether to have surgery:

1. Are there any nonsurgical treatments I can try first? Medicines? Injections? Physical therapy? Crutches or assistive devices?
2. What can I expect if I choose not to have surgery?
3. What is the implant made of?
4. Will my implant set off metal detectors?
5. How much better can I expect surgery will make me feel? How active will I be able to be?
6. What problems could I have after surgery?
7. How many of these surgeries have you done?

Getting ready to have your knee or hip replacement surgery:

1. How should I prepare my home for after surgery? How much help will I need and for how long?
2. Do I need to change or stop any of my medications before surgery?
3. How long do you think my surgery will last?
4. How many days will I be in the hospital? What will my pain be like? What kind of pain medicine will I get in the hospital and at home?
5. How long can I expect recovery to take?
6. How long before I can climb stairs?
7. How long before I can drive?
8. What kind of physical therapy will I have to do? Will this be at home or in a facility?
9. Is there anything I won't be able to do after surgery?
10. How long should my new joint last?