• We remove your dressing

• We check the incision

• We remove the glue mesh (Dermabond Prineo) if it is still in place

• Most patients have dissolvable stitches under the skin, so nothing needs to be removed

After the visit, we usually place Steri-Strips for support as you begin moving more.

• Steri-Strips should come off on their own over the next two weeks

• If strips get dirty or start peeling, you can remove them

• Do not put Vitamin E, scar cream, or oils on the incision yet

  • There will be a time for that, but not until the skin is more fully healed

• Your therapist can show you when and how to start gentle scar massage later

  • Too much massage too soon can break down the incision

Most patients transition from home health PT to outpatient PT around this time.

• Outpatient PT is typically 1–3 times per week

• We provide a protocol for your therapist

  • If they do not have it, we can send it

• If you are homebound and cannot get to PT, home health may be extended

  • Let us know if this applies to you

If you had a knee replacement:

• Goal is more than 90 degrees now

• Long-term goal is around 120 degrees or more

If you had a hip replacement:

• Focus is less on range of motion and more on strength, walking, and balance

Your therapist will guide you, but you should always speak up if something feels like too much.

• If therapy feels overly aggressive or painful, say something

• If you are unsure what is normal, call us

We do not “clear” driving with a note. You decide based on safety and common sense.

Do not drive if:

• You are taking narcotic pain medication (oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol)

Before returning to driving:

• Practice in an empty parking lot

• Be honest about reaction time and comfort

• Ask yourself: if something unexpected happened, could I stop quickly and safely?

General guideline:

• Left side surgery often returns sooner than right side surgery

• Right side hip or knee often takes closer to six weeks for reaction time to normalize

By this point, many patients can reduce or stop narcotics.

Some patients still take narcotic medication:

• At night for sleep

• Before or after physical therapy

If you need refills, let us know with a couple days notice so you do not get behind.

This is the phase where you gradually do more as swelling improves and your body transitions into scar tissue remodeling.

• Step counts increase weekly (often around 1,200–2,000 per day as tolerated)

• Physical therapy becomes more active

• You will continue building motion and strength safely

Your next major milestone is the six-week visit.

At six weeks we will:

• Review your progress and function

• Check range of motion for knees and strength for hips

• Review X-rays

• Begin releasing you back to more normal activities

Many patients say they have “turned the corner” by this point.

• Desk jobs may be possible around two weeks, especially with lighter duties

• More physical jobs often take closer to six weeks, sometimes longer

• If you are unsure, call us and we will talk through your situation

Call or text us anytime you have questions, especially if:

• Redness is new or worsening

• Incision changes concern you

• You are running low on medications

• Therapy feels too aggressive

• You are unsure what is normal

Communication early helps prevent unnecessary clinic or ER visits.