Orthopedic Surgery FAQs
Answers to common questions about knee replacement, recovery, pain relief, implant materials, and returning to daily activities.
Every patient’s recovery is different. Dr. Paul W. Codjoe provides personalized guidance based on your procedure, health history, surgical side, mobility, and recovery progress.
Common Questions Before and After Orthopedic Surgery
Patients often have questions about what to expect before and after orthopedic surgery. This page answers some of the most common questions about driving after surgery, pain medication, knee replacement materials, metal sensitivity, and bone cement allergies.
This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always speak with your orthopedic surgeon before making decisions about surgery, medications, or returning to activities.
What would you like to learn about?
Driving After Surgery
Pain Medication Safety
Knee Replacement Implant Materials
Metal Sensitivity
Bone Cement Allergies
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Driving After Orthopedic Surgery
The answer depends on the type of surgery, which side of the body was treated, your strength and reaction time, your vehicle type, and whether you are taking opioid or sedating pain medications.
In general, patients should not drive until they are off opioids or sedating medications, feel physically comfortable, and can safely perform an emergency stop.
Many patients who have right-sided knee or hip replacement may be considered for driving around 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, but this should always be individualized and cleared by the surgeon.
In most automatic-transmission vehicles, the right leg controls both the gas and brake pedals. Surgery on the right knee, hip, ankle, or foot can affect braking speed, strength, and emergency reaction time.
Left-sided procedures may allow for an earlier return to driving in automatic vehicles, but recommendations may differ for manual-transmission vehicles.
No. Patients should not drive while taking opioids, sedatives, or any medication that causes drowsiness, slowed reaction time, or impaired judgment.
Pain Medication After Orthopedic Surgery
Pain control may include a combination of acetaminophen, NSAIDs, topical treatments, ice, elevation, physical therapy, and short-term prescription pain medication when appropriate.
Your care team will recommend a plan based on your procedure, medical history, and medication risks.
Acetaminophen helps reduce pain and fever but does not reduce inflammation in the same way NSAIDs do. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause serious liver injury.
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, help reduce pain and inflammation but may increase the risk of stomach irritation, bleeding, kidney problems, and heart-related complications in some patients.
Yes. Topical treatments may help localized joint, muscle, or arthritis pain while reducing whole-body medication exposure.
Common topical options include diclofenac gel, lidocaine patches or creams, menthol or camphor rubs, capsaicin cream, and some CBD topicals when appropriate.
Patients taking blood thinners should speak with their doctor before using NSAIDs or combining medications. NSAIDs can increase bleeding risk, and even acetaminophen may require monitoring in some patients taking warfarin.
Knee Replacement Implant Materials
Knee replacement implants are commonly made from metal and medical-grade plastic. Metal components may include titanium-based or cobalt-chromium-based alloys. The plastic insert is typically made from medical-grade polyethylene.
Some implants may also use ceramic-like materials, such as oxidized zirconium.
True metal allergy after knee replacement is uncommon, but it can happen. Some patients may have sensitivity to metals such as nickel, cobalt, or chromium.
Symptoms may include persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, or skin irritation, but these symptoms can also be caused by infection, implant loosening, inflammation, or mechanical problems. Other causes should be evaluated first.
Yes. If you have had strong reactions to jewelry, belt buckles, watches, metal buttons, artificial nails, medical adhesives, or previous implants, tell your orthopedic surgeon before surgery.
Yes. If metal sensitivity is confirmed or strongly suspected, hypoallergenic implant options may be considered. These may include oxidized zirconium, ceramic-like components, titanium-based options, coated implants, or other designs that reduce exposure to certain metals.
Bone Cement Allergies
Bone cement is a medical material used in many knee replacement surgeries to help secure the implant to the bone. The most common type is polymethyl methacrylate, also known as PMMA.
Bone cement allergy is rare, but it can happen. Reactions may be related to acrylic components, stabilizers, additives, or antibiotics mixed into the cement.
Possible triggers may include methyl methacrylate, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone, gentamicin, or tobramycin.
Possible symptoms may include rash, skin irritation, swelling, persistent pain, or inflammation around the knee. However, these symptoms do not automatically mean a patient has a cement allergy.
Infection, implant loosening, stiffness, inflammation, and mechanical issues are more common causes of pain after knee replacement and should be ruled out first.
If a bone cement allergy is confirmed or strongly suspected, your surgeon may consider cementless knee replacement implants or cement options that avoid the specific ingredient or antibiotic causing the reaction.
Have Questions About Knee Replacement Surgery?
If you are considering knee replacement surgery or have concerns about recovery, implant materials, metal sensitivity, or bone cement allergies, Dr. Paul W. Codjoe can help you understand your options.
This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your orthopedic surgeon regarding your personal health situation.