Future Medical Care | Hip
Since you have an artificial hip joint in place you must take care to protect it from infection. Before having dental work or certain medical procedures performed, it will be necessary for you to take an antibiotic. The antibiotic will help prevent bacteria from getting into the blood stream and thus into your hip.
Cephalexin (brand name Keflex) and Amoxicillin (brand name Amoxil) are antibiotics that are commonly prescribed before and after dental work. You may bake Azithromycin (brand name Zithromax) or Clindamycin if you are allergic to Amoxicillin. Or you may take another antibiotic as recommended by the American Heart Association.
For routine and extensive dental work, such as teeth cleanings, fillings, extractions or root canals, you should take two Amoxicillin (500 mg) one hour before the procedure, or other antibiotics as directed by your physician.
Antibiotics given for other medical procedures may vary. Call your surgeon for advice before having any medical procedure done. It will also be necessary for you to be treated with a full course of antibiotics if you develop an infection such as an abscessed tooth, pneumonia, bronchitis, skin or urinary infections. See your family doctor to be placed on the correct antibiotic treatment for medical problems such as these.