Most of your appointments with your surgeon will occur during this postoperative recovery period.
However, appointments may continue for years, or even decades, depending on your surgeon’s recommendations.
Beyond the 10-year mark, it is important to follow up annually or every other year.
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More frequent follow-ups may be advised if your replacement is showing signs of wear.
Initial follow-up typically takes place two- or three-week post-surgery.
Restoration of strength and mobility is especially critical in the period from about six weeks to three months postoperatively.
Your three-month post-joint replacement appointment marks a turning point in your level of mobility.
Incision Healing
Incision healing is the foremost concern during the early postoperative recovery timeline.
In addition to inspecting the incision, your healthcare provider may need to remove sutures or staples.
Typically sutures or staples that require removal will be taken out approximately two weeks following the surgical procedures.
Incision Drainage
In general, the incision should be completely dry within three to four days.
Drainage after that point is not normal and should be discussed with your surgeon.
Mobility and Gait
Most surgeons have milestones that they want to see their patients achieve.
Some people who continue to rely on these ambulatory supports for balance may not progress as quickly.
As part of an assessment, they willevaluate your gaitand look for any specific abnormalities or limps.
A one-year follow-up appointment is quite consistent, but there is significant variability thereafter.
Some surgeons will obtain X-rays every year, every other year, or at some other interval.
These visits are often called surveillance visits, and the X-rays obtained are called surveillance X-rays.
X-Rays
Usually, your healthcare provider will obtain an X-ray shortly after the surgery.
X-rays are not typically needed at each postoperative visit.
Some of these complications may be simple to manage while others may require more serious intervention.
Doing so may help make a potentially serious problem much easier to manage.
Normal joint replacements without specific complications do not require these types of tests.
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