You will have a complete physical examination several weeks before the revision surgery. This is to check if you are well enough for the operation. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon may ask you to see the health care provider who treats you for these conditions to see if it is safe for you to have the surgery.

You will have imaging tests to check the condition of your knee and the extent of bone loss around the implant:

Imaging tests help determine if there is loosening or other mechanical problems with the prosthesis or its parts.

Your surgeon may order blood tests to determine if you have an infection. Aspiration of synovial fluid may be done to check for infection.

You may need to make some changes before surgery.

• Tell your surgeon or nurse if you are taking any medicines, including medicines, supplements or herbs bought without a prescription.
• Tell your surgeon if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.

If you smoke, you must stop. Ask your providers for help. Smoking will slow down wound and bone healing. Your recovery may not be as good if you continue to smoke.

During the week before your surgery:

• Prepare your home in advance.
• You may be asked to temporarily stop taking medicines that prevent your blood from clotting. These medicines are called blood thinners. This includes over-the-counter medications and supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and vitamin E. Many prescription drugs are also blood thinners.
• You may also need to stop taking medications that can make your body more likely to get an infection. These include methotrexate, etanercept (Enbrel), or other medications that suppress your immune system. Be sure to ask your surgeon when it is safe to resume taking these medications.
• Ask your surgeon what medications you should still take on the day of surgery.
• Always tell your surgeon about any cold, flu, fever, herpes outbreak or other illness you have before your surgery.
• You may want to visit a physical therapist to learn some exercises to do before surgery.
• Ask your provider if you will need to go to a nursing home or rehab after the operation. If you do, you should check these places out in advance and note your preference.

Practice using one cane, walker, crutchesor a wheelchair properly for:

• Get in and out of the shower
• Go up and down stairs
• Sit down to use the toilet and stand up after using the toilet
• Use the shower chair

On the day of your surgery:

• Follow the instructions on when to stop eating and drinking.
• Take the medicine your surgeon has told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Get to the hospital on time.