Preparing for Total Joint Replacement | 9 Medical clearance before surgery Appointments before your surgery You will have several appointments to prepare you for your surgery. These may include appointments for medical clearance from your primary care provider, dentist and/or specialists (e.g. cardiologist). You will also have two appointments with our surgical team 1-2 weeks before your surgery date. Please be sure to allow enough time for them in your day: • A pre-surgery appointment with your surgical team. This appointment is to discuss your surgery and answer any questions you might have. This may be with a nurse practitioner (NP), physician associate (PA) or your surgeon. • A pre-admission testing (PAT) call or appointment. This call or appointment is to evaluate your fitness for surgery and anesthesia. You may also receive a call from our medical social worker a week or two before your scheduled surgery. They will ask you questions about your home and who will be able to help you during your recovery. Their goal is to help you make plans for the best recovery possible. Pre-surgery appointment Your pre-surgery appointment is very important to the success of your surgery. What to expect during this appointment: • We will ask you about your past and present medical history, including medications. • We will discuss potential risks based on your medical health and make recommendations on how to physically prepare before your surgery (for example, if you will need to change your diet). • You will have a physical exam. • You will meet the members of your health care team, who will work closely with your orthopedic surgeon. • We will instruct you on infection prevention techniques, and you will be instructed on how to bathe and eat/drink before your surgery. • If you’re having hip or knee surgery, we will help you obtain a front-wheeled walker for you to use at home. You will need this when you leave the hospital after surgery. This appointment is also a good time for you to ask questions you may have about your surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay and recovery. You may want to ask how long you will be in the hospital and what you can do to improve your recovery. It may be helpful to write down your questions and bring them with you to your appointment.
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