INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD TOTAL JOINT SURGERY

Infection Precautions and Antibiotics

If you have had a total joint replacement, certain precautions must be taken to reduce the chance that infection develops in the bone or around the implant. These precautions should be followed for the rest of your lifetime. ALL patients having had total joint replacement who undergo any dental procedure should receive antibiotic prophylaxis for the following:

Dental antibiotic prophylaxis regimen: (also see Instructions for Dentists)

1. Patients not allergic to penicillin: Cephalexin or amoxicillin, 2 gm orally one hour prior to dental procedure.
2. Patients not allergic to penicillin and unable to take oral medications: Cefazolin 1 gm; or ampicillin, 2 gm IM/IV one hour prior to the procedure.
3. Patients allergic to penicillin: Clindamycin, 600 mg orally one hour prior to dental procedure.
4. Patients allergic to penicillin and unable to take oral medications: Clindamycin, 600 mg IM/IV one hour prior to the procedure.

Patients who will have genito-urinary manipulations or instrumentation (cystoscopy, TURP, etc.), gastrointestinal or biliary surgery, or any gynecological procedures:

• Advise your doctor that you have had a prosthesis inserted and that you need to have antibiotic prophylaxis (protection).

If you need to have a skin abscess (boil or furuncle) drained or have a skin infection:

• Advise your doctor that you have had a prosthesis inserted and that you need to have antibiotic prophylaxis.
• If you suspect any infection, you should be seen promptly by your physician and treated.