Total Knee Replacement

Unless there is an emergency, your surgery will be scheduled in advance. Knowing the date of your operation, you will have enough time to prepare and plan for any special help you might need following discharge from the hospital. It is important to have a partner to assist you with your home exercises following discharge. Your partner should accompany you to physical therapy at least once or twice during your hospital stay. Shoulder replacement can be done as an outpatient procedure but on average, you will be staying one night in the hospital after surgery to make sure your pain is controlled and you are medically stable before leaving the hospital.

A series of pre-operative tests will be scheduled one to two weeks before surgery. They usually include: some blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG) that evaluates the electrical activity of your heart and a visit with a healthcare provider to make sure you are medically cleared to undergo surgery. Some medications may be discontinued because they will complicate surgery and other medications you may need to continue. You should discontinue use of any anti-inflammatory medication, including aspirin, one week before surgery unless instructed otherwise. You will be given instructions regarding your daily medications in this visit.

Most patients spend the night before surgery either at home or in a hotel nearby. They are then admitted to the hospital the next morning. You will be informed via a phone call the day before about the exact time and location to go on the day of the surgery. You may not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery.

Your physician and the anesthesiologist will discuss the type of anesthetic that is most appropriate. The most frequent form is general anesthesia by giving you medications through your IV which will keep you relaxed, comfortable and sedated. You will also be given a choice to supplement your anesthesia with a regional or block anesthetic to minimize your postoperative pain.

After surgery, most patients are able to eat a regular dinner and walk to the bathroom. Regional anesthesia offers prolonged pain relief after the operation. A family member may remain with you until the time of your surgery (depending on hospital visitation rules). Any nail polish should be removed prior to admission. You will be asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, dentures, wigs and contact lenses. No rings may be worn on either hand and any articles of value should be left home or given to your family members.

The nurses will prepare you for surgery by taking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and administering pre-operative medications. These medications may cause drowsiness and a dry mouth. An IV or intravenous line for fluid, medication and antibiotics will then be inserted in your arm before going to the operating room.

You will be transported to surgery on a cart. Different hospital staff will be asking your name, verifying your identification bracelet and asking you which shoulder will be operated on, right or left.

Your family may wait in the designated area, where they can check in with the receptionist. As soon as your surgery is over, your surgeon will call the waiting area and ask to speak with your family. If surgery gets prolonged for any reason, your surgeon will usually give periodical updates to your family members and keep them informed about the progress.

Unless there is an emergency, your surgery will be scheduled in advance. Knowing the date of your operation, you will have enough time to prepare and plan for any special help you might need following discharge from the hospital. It is important to have a partner to assist you with your home exercises following discharge. Your partner should accompany you to physical therapy at least once or twice during your hospital stay. Shoulder replacement can be done as an outpatient procedure but on average, you will be staying one night in the hospital after surgery to make sure your pain is controlled and you are medically stable before leaving the hospital.

A series of pre-operative tests will be scheduled one to two weeks before surgery. They usually include: some blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG) that evaluates the electrical activity of your heart and a visit with a healthcare provider to make sure you are medically cleared to undergo surgery. Some medications may be discontinued because they will complicate surgery and other medications you may need to continue. You should discontinue use of any anti-inflammatory medication, including aspirin, one week before surgery unless instructed otherwise. You will be given instructions regarding your daily medications in this visit.

Most patients spend the night before surgery either at home or in a hotel nearby. They are then admitted to the hospital the next morning. You will be informed via a phone call the day before about the exact time and location to go on the day of the surgery. You may not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery.

Your physician and the anesthesiologist will discuss the type of anesthetic that is most appropriate. The most frequent form is general anesthesia by giving you medications through your IV which will keep you relaxed, comfortable and sedated. You will also be given a choice to supplement your anesthesia with a regional or block anesthetic to minimize your postoperative pain.

After surgery, most patients are able to eat a regular dinner and walk to the bathroom. Regional anesthesia offers prolonged pain relief after the operation. A family member may remain with you until the time of your surgery (depending on hospital visitation rules). Any nail polish should be removed prior to admission. You will be asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, dentures, wigs and contact lenses. No rings may be worn on either hand and any articles of value should be left home or given to your family members.

The nurses will prepare you for surgery by taking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and administering pre-operative medications. These medications may cause drowsiness and a dry mouth. An IV or intravenous line for fluid, medication and antibiotics will then be inserted in your arm before going to the operating room.

You will be transported to surgery on a cart. Different hospital staff will be asking your name, verifying your identification bracelet and asking you which shoulder will be operated on, right or left.

Your family may wait in the designated area, where they can check in with the receptionist. As soon as your surgery is over, your surgeon will call the waiting area and ask to speak with your family. If surgery gets prolonged for any reason, your surgeon will usually give periodical updates to your family members and keep them informed about the progress.

Unless there is an emergency, your surgery will be scheduled in advance. Knowing the date of your operation, you will have enough time to prepare and plan for any special help you might need following discharge from the hospital. It is important to have a partner to assist you with your home exercises following discharge. Your partner should accompany you to physical therapy at least once or twice during your hospital stay. Shoulder replacement can be done as an outpatient procedure but on average, you will be staying one night in the hospital after surgery to make sure your pain is controlled and you are medically stable before leaving the hospital.

A series of pre-operative tests will be scheduled one to two weeks before surgery. They usually include: some blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG) that evaluates the electrical activity of your heart and a visit with a healthcare provider to make sure you are medically cleared to undergo surgery. Some medications may be discontinued because they will complicate surgery and other medications you may need to continue. You should discontinue use of any anti-inflammatory medication, including aspirin, one week before surgery unless instructed otherwise. You will be given instructions regarding your daily medications in this visit.

Most patients spend the night before surgery either at home or in a hotel nearby. They are then admitted to the hospital the next morning. You will be informed via a phone call the day before about the exact time and location to go on the day of the surgery. You may not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery.

Your physician and the anesthesiologist will discuss the type of anesthetic that is most appropriate. The most frequent form is general anesthesia by giving you medications through your IV which will keep you relaxed, comfortable and sedated. You will also be given a choice to supplement your anesthesia with a regional or block anesthetic to minimize your postoperative pain.

After surgery, most patients are able to eat a regular dinner and walk to the bathroom. Regional anesthesia offers prolonged pain relief after the operation. A family member may remain with you until the time of your surgery (depending on hospital visitation rules). Any nail polish should be removed prior to admission. You will be asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, dentures, wigs and contact lenses. No rings may be worn on either hand and any articles of value should be left home or given to your family members.

The nurses will prepare you for surgery by taking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and administering pre-operative medications. These medications may cause drowsiness and a dry mouth. An IV or intravenous line for fluid, medication and antibiotics will then be inserted in your arm before going to the operating room.

You will be transported to surgery on a cart. Different hospital staff will be asking your name, verifying your identification bracelet and asking you which shoulder will be operated on, right or left.

Your family may wait in the designated area, where they can check in with the receptionist. As soon as your surgery is over, your surgeon will call the waiting area and ask to speak with your family. If surgery gets prolonged for any reason, your surgeon will usually give periodical updates to your family members and keep them informed about the progress.

Unless there is an emergency, your surgery will be scheduled in advance. Knowing the date of your operation, you will have enough time to prepare and plan for any special help you might need following discharge from the hospital. It is important to have a partner to assist you with your home exercises following discharge. Your partner should accompany you to physical therapy at least once or twice during your hospital stay. Shoulder replacement can be done as an outpatient procedure but on average, you will be staying one night in the hospital after surgery to make sure your pain is controlled and you are medically stable before leaving the hospital.

A series of pre-operative tests will be scheduled one to two weeks before surgery. They usually include: some blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG) that evaluates the electrical activity of your heart and a visit with a healthcare provider to make sure you are medically cleared to undergo surgery. Some medications may be discontinued because they will complicate surgery and other medications you may need to continue. You should discontinue use of any anti-inflammatory medication, including aspirin, one week before surgery unless instructed otherwise. You will be given instructions regarding your daily medications in this visit.

Most patients spend the night before surgery either at home or in a hotel nearby. They are then admitted to the hospital the next morning. You will be informed via a phone call the day before about the exact time and location to go on the day of the surgery. You may not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery.

Your physician and the anesthesiologist will discuss the type of anesthetic that is most appropriate. The most frequent form is general anesthesia by giving you medications through your IV which will keep you relaxed, comfortable and sedated. You will also be given a choice to supplement your anesthesia with a regional or block anesthetic to minimize your postoperative pain.

After surgery, most patients are able to eat a regular dinner and walk to the bathroom. Regional anesthesia offers prolonged pain relief after the operation. A family member may remain with you until the time of your surgery (depending on hospital visitation rules). Any nail polish should be removed prior to admission. You will be asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, dentures, wigs and contact lenses. No rings may be worn on either hand and any articles of value should be left home or given to your family members.

The nurses will prepare you for surgery by taking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and administering pre-operative medications. These medications may cause drowsiness and a dry mouth. An IV or intravenous line for fluid, medication and antibiotics will then be inserted in your arm before going to the operating room.

You will be transported to surgery on a cart. Different hospital staff will be asking your name, verifying your identification bracelet and asking you which shoulder will be operated on, right or left.

Your family may wait in the designated area, where they can check in with the receptionist. As soon as your surgery is over, your surgeon will call the waiting area and ask to speak with your family. If surgery gets prolonged for any reason, your surgeon will usually give periodical updates to your family members and keep them informed about the progress.