Your General Practitioner (GP) or another doctor may refer you to see an orthopaedic surgeon in the outpatient department.
During your outpatient visit the orthopaedic surgeon will ask you specific questions about your problem in order to make a diagnosis and plan any further investigations and treatment .
Questions will be asked about any concurrent medical or surgical problems, tablets that you take, allergies you may have and any previous surgery you may have had, orthopaedic or otherwise.
It is important to give as much detailed information as possible so the surgeon can safely plan further management of your orthopaedic problem.
Investigations such as blood tests, X-Ray examination and physical examination are usually carried out during the visit.
Other investigations such as a CT scan (Computerised Tomography) MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or a bone scan will be arranged as an outpatient.
Occasionally some treatment is provided in the clinic, such as for example a joint injection.
Other treatments such as physiotherapy will be done as an outpatient.
Often a further clinic visit is organised so that the results of any ordered tests can be reviewed with the patient present and definite treatment planned.
Often the information given to you may be in large quantities and can often be confusing. It may you help you to bring a spouse, a relative or a friend to provide “ extra ears”.
If you have decided with your surgeon that a joint replacement may be indicated in your case than he will discuss the procedure with you and also plan a date for your proposed surgery. He will also discuss the possible complications with you.
Always ask your surgeon if there is something you don’t understand.
A few weeks before your planned surgery date you will be asked to attend a pre-operative assessment clinic.
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You will often be seen a few weeks before surgery by a nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and other members
of the Surgical Team in a pre-admission assessment clinic at the hospital.
This appointment will give you an opportunity to discuss any queries with the staff present. Various blood tests, a
urine test, an electrocardiogram (an ECG or electrical recording of your heart), perhaps a chest or further hip or knee x-rays,
etc will be taken.
Plans for your care at home, after discharge from surgery, will also be discussed.
At this time the physiotherapist and occupational therapist will ask you about your home situation, measure you for crutches and advise you about various aids that will help you after the operation (such as a toilet seat raise, bath board, ‘helping hand’, long shoe horn). You will also be taught how to use crutches.
Please bring details of your medication to this appointment.
If you are a smoker, your post-operative recovery will be greatly enhanced if you stop smoking two weeks before surgery. Smoking makes anaesthesia difficult and leaves you prone to chest infection or circulatory problems after surgery.
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