Pre-Surgery Planning for Knees

Whether you suffer from arthritis and need a knee replacement, play sports and tear your ACL, have a torn meniscus or experience any type of ligamentous or tendon pain that requires a surgical repair, you can trust the skilled and caring knee specialists at OSC to guide you through the process. We will help you make the best decision about the right surgery for your lifestyle, activity level, age and overall health for the best outcome.

When you decide you are ready to have knee surgery, your physician’s surgery scheduler will:

1. Arrange a date and time for your surgery
2. Clarify if the surgery will be Inpatient [overnight(s) in the hospital] or Outpatient surgery (go home the same day) Almost all knee surgeries will be outpatient unless you have a medical reason to remain overnight. Your OSC scheduler will inform you about your status before the date of your surgery.
3. Obtain any insurance pre-authorizations necessary
4. Order pre-surgical lab tests (blood work and/or diagnostic imaging)
5. Arrange any medical clearance appointments for you (for cardiac, diabetic or other issues)
6. Fit you for any required knee brace or splint to be worn post-surgery, and/or provide you with crutches or a walker to be used as you recover from surgery
7. Arrange for home nursing/health care (if needed)
8. Arrange for in-home Physical Therapy (if needed)

After these important details have been completed, the surgery scheduler will also go over all pre-surgical instructions with you, in order to best prepare you for the surgery to come. Among the topics to be discussed are:

• When to report to the lab or hospital for your pre-surgery blood work and tests
• What to take to the hospital for inpatient/outpatient surgery – loose, comfortable and easily removable clothing, toiletry items, footwear, reading materials, snacks
• Transportation to and from the hospital or ambulatory surgery center
• Care arrangements for you after your surgery
• The possibility of blood transfusion/autologous blood donation
• Any recent change in your health, new prescription medications, new allergies or if you are taking blood-thinning medication, such as an NSAID(s) (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), Coumadin or a biologic drug, such as Humira

Your Physician or Physician Assistant may advise you to begin an overall health improvement regimen before you have surgery to ensure that you have the best outcome possible. Some of their suggestions may include:

• Eating a nutritious diet and adding vitamin supplements, such as iron
• Conditioning exercise to strengthen weak muscles or Physical Therapy
• Smoking cessation (if necessary). Smoking is especially harmful to orthopaedic knee surgery patients, greatly increases healing time and chances for complications.

Compliance with these recommendations will help you to have a better experience and may improve your recovery and results after surgery. If you have questions about your own specific needs, please discuss those with your doctor.

To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (757) 596-1900. Visit our Contact Us page for information on office hours. Our office is located in Newport News, VA. We are 40 minutes from Virginia Beach and an hour from Richmond, VA.

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