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Attending Dentist and Hygienist after TNR

Posted , 12 users are following.

patricia25467
patricia25467

Hi  

Has anyone in the UK had to take antibiotics before attending the Dentist because the have knee replacements? I haven't been since my left TNR in January and my right TNR is only 9 weeks old.  

Good news I got in my car and drove for about 10 mins yesterday, yippee!

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • susan20089
    susan20089 patricia25467

    Posted

    I have been to hygienist and dentist to have a filling and I didn't need anything.
  • anne07663
    anne07663 patricia25467

    Posted

    Yes, I have to. I think most surgeons insist that here in NS. Even for a cleaning. It's because germs from the mouth enters the blood stream and can/have caused serious trouble. The dentist gives me two and waits for a bit before doing the work. 
  • ElaineA
    ElaineA patricia25467

    Posted

    Nobody has ever said to me about needing this (I live in UK). However I have an appointment with the dentist in a couple of weeks, but I see the doc before then, next Tuesday morning in fact. If I remember I will ask the doc and let you know what he says.
  • ElaineA
    ElaineA patricia25467

    Posted

    Great news re driving your car! I am 19 weeks post op today and I haven't even attempted it. My car is very small and quite low, so that is why. I would love to drive myself and not rely on people any more.
    • patricia25467
      patricia25467 ElaineA

      Posted

      Hi Elaine

      My car is only a little Clio. After my first TNR in January I was scared re clutch changing but I was ok. When I drove yesterday this time it was emergency stop. I'd only driven a few minutes when I had to do it and I was ok. Only driving locally but it felt great. Maybe you should give it a try, just start with your road. Good luck.

      Patricia

    • patsyrose
      patsyrose patricia25467

      Posted

      I drove after 6 weeks with both of my TKRs. After sitting in the car to see how it felt, and pressing the pedals a while (the clutch doesn't actually need to go down as far as you think it does), I just started by going round the block, so up and down the gears, and increasing the route.

      The accelerator leg is actually more uncomfortable during the drive, as the heel is always in contact with the floor and you therefore feel every bump through the knee.

      my problems have been more with walking, so I'm very grateful to be able to drive.  I don't have anyone else at home, so important for me to be able to get myself about.

      Remeber to inform your car insurers that you've had your knees done though...it doesn't increase the price, unlike travel insurance!

  • patsyrose
    patsyrose patricia25467

    Posted

    I've not heard of that and I've also been to the dentist and hygienist recently.
  • mary0606
    mary0606 patricia25467

    Posted

    I was told not to have any thing like cleaning done for the first 6 months post a joint...we have to have clearance from the dentist before a joint also.

    • ElaineA
      ElaineA mary0606

      Posted

      Mary are you in the UK? just interested, because I was wondering if this was a USA precaution?
    • mary0606
      mary0606 ElaineA

      Posted

      No I am in Australia, my shoulder surgeon told me antibiotics pre cleaning for life as did my hip guy, who is a professor in Brisbane ...so I guess the knee is covered too..LOL 
  • susan20089
    susan20089 patricia25467

    Posted

    I live in UK and I mentioned this to hygienist and dentist and they both said antibiotics were not necessary.
  • patricia25467
    patricia25467

    Posted

    Thank you everyone for replies. I will check with my dentist and doctor.

    Patricia

  • pru57396
    pru57396 patricia25467

    Posted

    I had a dental appointment 10 wks post TKR and was told that it was no longer considered necessary in England to have antibiotics before dental treatment. Hope this helps. X
  • joan42572
    joan42572 patricia25467

    Posted

    I live in the US and was told by my surgeon I would need the antibiotics befor dental work, but apparently current guidelines say it is not necessary:

    "The available evidence is insufficient to recommend routine antibiotics for dental procedures in persons with joint replacement, according to a new clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Dental Association (ADA)."

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