What kinds of tests will I need before surgery?

All patients are required to have routine blood work and urinalysis performed. These tests cannot be performed prior to 14 days before the scheduled surgery in order to be acceptable.

In addition all patients are required to have a physical examination which can be performed at any time within 30 days of the surgical date. Most patients are required to have an EKG and chest x-ray performed within 30 days of the surgical date.

Most pre-admission testing and physical evaluations can be performed either by the patient’s personal physician or at the hospital where the procedure will be performed.

Please be advised. If an abnormal exam or test result is reported, you may need a further evaluation or repeat testing performed. This does not necessarily mean surgery is canceled, but for your own safety, further investigation of any abnormalities is the standard procedure.

Will I need to donate blood before surgery?

Blood donation prior to surgery is not required. Most hip and knee replacement surgeries do not involve substantial blood loss. We use the latest techniques during surgery to minimize blood loss during and after surgery.

Are there medications I need to stop taking before surgery?

Most medications may be taken up to the day of surgery. If you are currently taking an anti-inflammatory medication, this should be discontinued two weeks prior to surgery unless you are instructed otherwise by your physician. These medications tend to act as blood thinners and this is the reason for recommending discontinuing them.

Blood thinning medications such as Coumadin or aspirin are also discontinued prior to surgery. However, the exact times of discontinuing these medications are made on an individualized basis and should be checked with your personal physician for the correct method regarding this.

How long will I be in the hospital?

For joint replacement surgery, most patients are hospitalized 2-3 days, including the day of surgery. This may vary if the patient is either going to a rehabilitation center, a sub-acute facility, or not cleared medically or surgically for discharge home.

Please be advised. Most insurance covers 3-4 days of acute care in the hospital for total knee and total hip replacement surgery. Some insurances do provide for further care in several other types of facilities. It is advisable for each patient to contact their health insurance provider for specific programs covered and to obtain these provisions in writing.

What should I bring to the hospital?

All patients should bring:

personal toiletries and shaving gear
loose fitting COMFORTABLE clothing
non-skid shoes or slippers (slip-on type with closed back preferred)
a list of their current medications (including dosages)
any paperwork the hospital may have requested

Please be advised. The hospital provides gowns, slipper socks, and a small supply of toiletries. Most patients, however, do supplement these with the articles outlined above, at least in terms of toiletries.

In addition, if you have an assistive device that you plan to use after discharge (i.e. walker, cane, crutches) but are not currently using, you should have someone bring this in prior to discharge so the physical therapist can check to assure that it is the adequate size for you.

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