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Peri-Operative Instructions for Arthroscopy of the Knee < Back to Peri-Operative Instructions Dear Mr. ________ You are scheduled for Arthroscopy of the Left/Right Knee on _________, 2004. The Hospial for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute (301 E. 17th Street, NYC) will be contacting you on the day prior to surgery regarding your time of surgery. If the hospital does not contact you, please call the admissions office at (212) 598- 6576 after 5:00 pm the day before your surgery to find out what time you will be required to come in for surgery. Please be aware that you will be asked to come to the hospital several hours prior to your surgical intervention. If you are taking any medications,vitamins or supplements, please check with your doctor to see if you should discontinue them. You may need your doctor to give a written medical clearance letter prior to surgery if you have a medical condition or are taking medication. Please inform the office if you are taking any medications or if you develop a cold. (If medically permissible, stop any aspirin or aspirin-like medications, approximately ten days prior to surgery). The type of anesthesia that is used for this surgery is usually a general anesthesia or an epidural/spinal anesthesia. This is dependent upon your medical condition as well as personal preference. Preoperatively, the anesthesiologist will be speaking to you regarding the risks and benefits of the type of anesthesia to be used. Utilization of a cane and partial weight-bearing ambulation will be encouraged on the first postoperative day. As soon as you are ambulating comfortably and independently you will be discharged (usually the same day). There maybe specific situations in which I will request that you be non-weight bearing with crutches for several weeks postoperatively. This recommendation would be based on specific pathology seen at the time of surgery and usually occurs in less than 10% of our patients. The dressing should be removed after 48 hours (see post-operative care instructions). An appointment should be made to see me approximately one week postoperatively. At that point in time, I will guide you to further postoperative treatments. Sutures and/or staples are usually removed on the first postoperative visit. A physical therapy and/or exercise program will usually be initiated at the first post-operative visit . IF YOU HAVE CRUTCHES AND/OR A CANE, BRING THEM WITH YOU THE DAY OF SURGERY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY, THE HOSPITAL WILL SUPPLY THEM AT A CHARGE TO YOU. THEY WILL NOT BILL YOUR INSURANCE. PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS: I. Please inform our office of any allergies that you may have, especially allergies to LATEX. 2. DO NOT EAT SOLID FOOD OR DRINK LIQUIDS after midnight prior to your surgery. You must have NOTHING by mouth; this includes water and coffee. These instructions are for your safety. 3. Please bathe or shower the night before or morning of your surgery. 4. Get a good night’s rest before your surgery. 5. Wear loose, casual clothing; leaving all jewelry and valuables such as watches, rings, cash, cellular telephones, etc., at home. 6. Notify your physician if there is any change in your physical condition prior to your surgery day, such as a cold, fever, or infection. If you are on prescription medications, please discuss taking them prior to surgery with your medical doctor. 7. Please try to avoid aspirin 10-14 days before surgery. 8. The admitting office will call you the evening before your admission date to reconfirm the time of your surgery and admission. If you do not hear from the admitting office, or you will not be home in the evening. Please call 212 -598-6576 by 9:00 pm to confirm your admission. 9. Visiting hours are 1:00am to 8:00 pm 10. On day of your procedure you should go to the admitting office which is located on the first floor of the hospital. 11. You will need a responsible escort to take you home once you are discharged. POST-OPERATIVE CARE Day of Surgery & Post-operative Day One (first 24 hours after surgery): You should try to flex and extend the knee slowly which may be a little difficult because of the bandages. Post-operative Day Two (48 hours after surgery): 1)Remove the dressing down to the skin. The dressing may be wet or bloody, which is of no concern. 2)You may shower and let the water run on the knee. Then pat the area dry with a towel. 3)Apply band-aids over the incision sites. 4)Place some ice in a baggie and wrap an ace bandage around the knee for approximately 20-25 minutes. Icing should be performed three to four times a day. 5)Ambulation may be performed as tolerated unless specific instructions were given. IMPORTANT :Do not think that the more walking,standing stairclimbing you do the better you will be. That is a myth. Do what you need to do but limit the above activities until full range of motion is obtained and minimal swelling is present. Full range of motion may not occur for several weeks. Notify the office immediately if you notice any of the following: 1. An increase in temperature above 102 degrees The office number is (212) 935-1777 and the answering service number is 1-866-508-2026 Sincerely, David S. Menche, M.D. 263 7th Avenue (1212) 935-1777 |
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