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Medication issues for knee replacement surgery

Medication  issues for knee replacement surgery in Naples include which medicines or supplements to start and which to stop prior to surgery.

Important medication issues for knee replacement surgery

Start taking an Iron Supplement (ie. ferrous sulfate) which comes in 325 mg tablets. Take one tablet per day prior to surgery. This helps to build up your blood count.  This over the counter medication can be obtained at your local pharmacy without a prescription.

Please NOTE:  Iron supplements will make your stools very dark and may cause constipation.

Medication issues for knee replacement surgery also include which ones to stop. Discontinue the use of aspirin, aspirin-like products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, vitamins (except for Iron 325 mg), and herbal supplements one week prior to your knee replacement surgery in Naples.

If you are on a blood thinner such as Coumadin, or platelet inhibitor like Plavix or aspirin, please let our office know so appropriate arrangements can be made prior to surgery, which usually involves stopping these medications 5 days before the planned knee replacement surgery. Many patients are on long-term Coumadin and Plavix, and stopping it requires a certain level of planning by the medical team.

Please do not take your usual morning prescription medications on the morning of your knee replacement surgery unless instructed by your medical clearance physician and then only take the medication with a small sip of water.

Medical clearance exam

A very important part of preparing for your knee replacement surgery in Naples is the medical exam and laboratory results to be done by your family doctor or a trusted physician known by your surgeon.  By having your current medical situation well documented and well understood, you have the best chance of avoiding complicating events either during or shortly after total knee replacement surgery.

Your medical doctor will let you know which of your medications can be stopped just prior to surgery and which ones you will need to take.

This medical exam is extremely important and must not be cancelled. Without pre-operative medical clearance, Dr. Zehr will not perform the surgery.

  • Please remember to check with the medical clearance physician for special instructions on medications that you take routinely, such as heart medications, high blood pressure medications, Insulin, Coumadin, Plavix, etc.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.comThe information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read on this topic. 

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