What are precautions after total joint replacement surgery?
If you have had total joint replacement surgery, your caregiver will give you precautions (safety measures). Safety measures are warnings to help you heal and avoid injury after surgery. Your joints are the parts of your body that connect two bones, such as your hip or knee. During joint replacement surgery, your hip or knee is replaced with a joint implant. This implant performs the functions of your old joint. You may need your joint replaced if it is damaged or you have a disease, such as arthritis. Following your caregiver’s safety measures may help your joint heal properly. You may be less likely to damage your new implant or hurt your hip or knee. What are weight-bearing safety measures? Weight-bearing safety measures are instructions that tell you how much weight you can put on your replaced joint. Right after surgery, your new joint may not be able to hold much of your weight. Your caregiver will tell you how much weight you can put on your joint. Over time, your caregiver will
