What to Expect From Your Orthopedic Surgery Specialist in Chandler, AZ
About Your Surgery
Your surgery will be performed at one of our two trusted facilities; Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, or the SanTan Surgery Center. Most surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis meaning you will return home the same day. If necessary, you may be kept overnight. Of course, joint replacement surgery will require admission to the hospital for 1 or 2 days. In most cases, a special pre-op visit to the hospital will not be required. You will be instructed to arrive early to complete the necessary lab work. Expect to spend approximately 6 hours at the hospital. It will be necessary to have someone accompany you especially to drive you home. It is a good idea to have someone available to be with you the night of your surgery.
You may be requested to receive a pre-operative clearance from your medical doctor (primary care doctor). Please be sure to discuss this aspect of care with your surgeon.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will meet members of the anesthesia team who will discuss your anesthesia plan with you. They may recommend a nerve block in addition to general anesthesia. The nerve block will reduce the amount of anesthesia you require making your recovery easier. It will also provide post-operative pain control for up to 12 hours. Your doctor highly recommends these nerve blocks.
In general, our operative days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Of course, we sometimes have to adjust the schedule to accommodate emergencies. You will be contacted by a member of the hospital staff on the day before your surgery to determine what time you will need to arrive at the hospital.
For shoulder surgery patients, you will likely go home with a brace. You are expected to sleep in the brace. It is not uncommon for the shoulder and chest region to be swollen from the fluid used during your procedure. It is helpful to sleep in an upright position so that your swelling drains away from the shoulder. You will not be allowed to remove your arm from the brace or use it until directed by your surgeon or therapist.
For knee surgery patients, you will likely go home in a rigid brace and crutches. Your weight-bearing status will be determined at the time of your surgery. Keep your leg elevated as much as possible in the days following your surgery. If you develop swelling in your foot, it is imperative that you get off your feet and elevate your leg immediately. It is important to sleep in your brace.
For all patients, you will not be permitted to drive until you are off your pain medication. Patients with lower extremity surgery (especially the right leg) will not be permitted to resume driving until they have regained sufficient motor control (you will be notified by your doctor or therapist when it is safe to resume driving.).
You will be contacted by an independent vendor regarding cold therapy and muscle electrostimulation units. These will help speed your recovery, reduce swelling, and control your post-operative pain. In many cases, part or all of the cost will be covered by your health insurance. If not, you will be offered the opportunity to lease or purchase these units at a discount. This decision is entirely up to you, but the vast majority of patients feel that this is the best money they have spent.
About Your Recovery
Following surgery, you will be placed into a post-operative brace. Wear the brace as directed in the discharge instructions. In most cases, you are expected to begin therapy 2-3 days following your surgery. Physical therapy is an integral component of your recovery. Your therapist has been specially selected for their expertise in the treatment of your sports-related injury. It is advisable to plan to be away from work or school for the first few days after surgery.
You are encouraged to rest and recuperate for those days as much as possible. For shoulder surgery patients, sleeping upright in, a recliner type of chair will help reduce the swelling from surgery. For knee surgery patients, lie flat on your back with the operated leg elevated on pillows. If you have been given a block in the hospital, be sure to take your pain medicine before retiring for the night whether you have pain or not. It is important not to fall behind into too much pain and then try to catch up with the pills.
Preparing for Assistance, After Surgery
You will receive detailed patient discharge instructions, after surgery, to ensure proper wound care and optimal healing. However, it is also important to begin preparations for assistance, in the postoperative phase of your recovery.
If you will have outpatient day surgery (no overnight stay), please plan to have someone stay at the surgery center to assist you, directly following the procedure. You will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours, after discharge, in order to allow for the anesthetic and initial pain medication to clear your system.
Depending on the type of surgical procedure you undergo, you may find that you are unable to perform many regular household tasks for a few days, or up to several weeks. Your physician will be able to give you an estimation as to how long this phase of your recovery will last. It will be important to secure transportation, help with meals, cleaning, shopping, and laundry.
Prior to your surgery, rearrange things around your home so that you may access them easily, from where you will be resting and recovering. Stock the area with water, healthy snacks, and plenty of reading material. Watching comedies has been proven to aid with physical healing and makes the days go by a little faster.
For more information on how Sports & Orthopaedic Specialists can assist you, please contact our office at (480) 222-5601. We look forward to our first visit! Remember, at Sports and Orthopaedic Specialists, we are dedicated to restoring you to your winning lifestyle!
When you schedule your surgery and recovery with an orthopedic surgery specialist from Sports & Orthopedic Specialists, you set yourself up for healing success and compassionate care. We’re here to provide Gilbert and Chandler, AZ, area residents with comprehensive orthopedic care so you can live your life and move your joints.
Total Care for Total Healing
We’ve designed our process to ensure that your joint heals correctly the first time after your surgery so you can return to as full a range of motion as is physically possible. We do this because we know how devastated you would naturally feel to go through an orthopedic surgery and your healing period only to still not be able to move your joints as you used to.
Ready to start your journey to rehabilitated joints? Call Sports & Orthopedic Specialists for an initial consultation appointment or reach out online with any questions you have today!