Bradford S. Waddell, MD
Fellowship Trained, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dallas Hip and Knee Replacement Specialist
- What surgeries do you perform?
-Outpatient, Rapid Recovery Total Joint Replacement
-Minimally Invasive Hip and Knee Replacement
-Rapid Recovery Hip and Knee Replacement
-Subvastus (Muscle-Sparing) Knee Replacement
-Muscle-Sparing Anterior Hip Replacement
-Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement
-Robotic-Assisted Partial and Total Knee Replacement
-Simple and Complex Revision Hip and Knee Replacement
-Arthroscopic Surgery
- Which approach do you use for total hip?
Dr. Waddell uses both the anterior and posterior approach for total hip replacements. Both approaches offer various benefits for hip replacement. Dr. Waddell will decide based on you as an individual which will be the best approach for you.
- How long does surgery take?
Total hip and knee replacements take about an hour for Dr. Waddell to complete. Some are faster and some take more time. Many factors play into the amount of time for surgery. The entire surgical process as a whole (including preop preparation, anesthesia, the surgery and waking up) can take a few hours.
- Will I be put to sleep?
Nearly all of Dr. Waddell's total joint replacements (hip and knee) will not require general anesthesia. The anesthesia department will decide what is safest for you, but in most cases, patients will receive a spinal or epidural injection with nerve blocks to prevent pain. This will allow for a rapid recovery after the surgery with less nausea and grogginess. Medicine will be administered by IV so you will have twilight sleep during the surgery (you will not remember anything).
- How long will I be in the hospital?
After both total hip and total knee replacement, patients usually go home the day of surgery or the next morning. Our goal is the get you into your comfortable home environment as soon as possible to ensure a rapid road to recovery!
- Will I get a machine to flex my knee after my total knee replacement?
This machine is called a CPM machine (Continuous Passive Motion). This was used in the 1990's and early 2000's to help flex the knee after total knee replacement. Unfortunately, the machine does not work fully as it was thought, and recent data has proved that you are no better off, and even potentially worse off, with the machine. Dr. Waddell uses evidence-based medicine for all of the therapies he prescribes, and data does not prove that using a CPM is beneficial. You will be enrolled in physical therapy, and the benefits will far outweigh those that any machine can offer!
- How long is the recovery after total joint replacement?
While this question has to be answered on an individual basis, Dr. Waddell uses cutting edge techniques that allow for a rapid recovery. Almost all patients are up and walking the day of surgery or the day after surgery. Many patients can go home the same day as surgery. You will perform physical therapy 2-3 times a day when in the hospital. Once home, you will be signed up for therapy 2-3 times a week. In most cases, patients are up and moving within a week or two of surgery and getting back to day to day activities in 3-6 weeks. This can be much faster in some individuals and can take longer in others.
- When can I shower?
After most total joint replacements, the patient can shower in 4-5 days. After 4 weeks, you can soak in a tub.
- When can I drive after surgery?
Most patients after total knee or total hip replacement can drive with 2-4 weeks after surgery. No patient should ever drive while on pain medicine (opioids/narcotics).
- What restrictions will I have?
For total hip replacement, you will have certain restricted motions of your hip based on the approach that is used. The goal for restrictions in the total hip is to avoid dislocation. For the total knee, pain will be the restricting factor in most cases (such as when kneeling). In both total hip and total knee, patients are advised to avoid running, jumping, and strenuous activity. As with all questions, these will vary on an individual basis.
-Specific Hip Precautions/Restrictions
-Anterior Approach Hip Replacement: No pointing toe outward and no hip extension.
-Posterior Approach Hip Replacement: No pointing toe inward, no crossing legs, no knee flexion past 90 degrees (no squatting).
- Will I need antibiotics prior to visiting the dentist, dermatologist or podiatrist?
Yes. Please call Dr. Waddell's office prior to any of these procedure after total joint replacement. We will call you in antibiotics to take prior to the procedure. Here is a form of what you can expect when you call. (CLICK HERE)