FAQs
General
How do I make an appointment?
Simply call us at during our working hours or you can request an appointment online using this form.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
Most medical specialists will accept only referred patients. This is mainly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition. Check with your insurance company to see if a referral is necessary.
What to bring for your initial consultation?
For your initial consultation you will need to bring a referral letter from your physician if necessary.
Here is check list for your initial consultation
- Driver’s License or a valid ID
- Insurance information
- Referral Letter (if required)
- Reports, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans etc. and any other relevant information
- List of medications (if any)
We encourage you to come to your initial consultation with a written list of questions to ensure you don’t forget to ask them when you are seeing the doctor.
Are my medical records kept private and confidential?
Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff is bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records. We will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.
Hip FAQs
What do I do if I have fever over 102°, chills, drainage from incision, calf pain, chest pain or shortness of breath?
If you experience any of these symptoms, please call our office for further instruction. If it is after hours or on weekends, please call the on-call physician at . If you are ever unable to reach anyone, please go to the hospital emergency department immediately.
When can I resume NSAIDs, hormones, or other medications held prior to surgery?
Medications held prior to surgery may be resumed 48 hours after the last dose of your blood thinning agent (Aspirin, Warfarin). This usually occurs I month after surgery.
How long do I take iron after surgery?
You will continue taking the 150mg iron supplement, one tablet daily, 1½ hour after eating, for 1 month after surgery.
When can I resume my usual diet?
You can resume your usual diet as tolerated. Be sure to take pain medication with food to reduce side effects. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
How active should I be after surgery?
Every patient heals, recovers, and rehabs at a different pace. In general, it is best to stay out of bed during the day as much as possible. Elevating your legs when you are lying down can help control swelling. Continue the exercises shown to you by your physical therapist.
Do I need to wear Ted hose (compression stockings)?
Ted hose are not mandatory but may be used for comfort and/or to reduce swelling as needed. In an effort to prevent dislocation, do not use compression hose unless someone else can put them on you.
When will my sutures be removed?
Usually you will be closed with Monocryl sutures under your skin with a layer of skin glue on top, neither of which requires removal. In cases where we use staples or nylon sutures to close your skin, they can usually be removed at 10-14 days unless otherwise indicated.
When can I shower after surgery?
You are allowed to shower immediately if you have an Aquacell bandage over your wound. Otherwise, please wait 5 days after surgery if you were closed with Monocryl sutures. If you have staples or nylon sutures, please wait until the day after they are removed before showering.
When can I take a bath?
Please wait 6 weeks before soaking in a bath tub.
When can I swim (pool, lake, river, hot tub)?
Please wait 6 weeks after surgery.
What is my weight bearing status?
In most total hip replacements and even in some revisions, you will be weight bearing as tolerated. In cases of infection when we remove hardware and place an antibiotic cement space, you will be partial weight bearing (1/3 weight bearing). There may be specific cases or circumstances where you may be touch-down weight bearing and even non-weight bearing. This will be clearly indicated to you prior to your discharge.
How long should I use a walker?
As long as needed until you feel stable.
How long should I use a cane?
As long as needed until you feel stable.
When can my partner and I resume intimacy?
You may resume as tolerated but must follow the intimacy positioning guidelines in Krames Patient Education to prevent hip dislocation. This information can be found online.
When can I lie on my operative side?
You are allowed to lie on your operative side as tolerated.
Can I sit with my legs crossed?
If you have had a posterior approach to the hip, it is ok to cross your ankles but it is not ok to cross your knees.
When can I play golf?
You can begin to chip and putt at 3 weeks. Please avoid full swing until 6 weeks after surgery.
When can I ride a stationary bicycle?
You are allowed as tolerated on a bicycle with an elevated seat. Please avoid using a recumbent bicycle.
When can I return to the gym and resume exercise?
You can return between 3-6 weeks depending on the type of equipment and exercises.
When can I drive a car?
Please use discretion, such as no driving within 4 hours of taking narcotic pain medications. For right sided surgery, please wait at least 6 weeks after surgery before driving. For left sided surgery, you may resume driving sooner as long as you are driving an automatic vehicle.
How long will it be before I am able to travel?
You are allowed to ride in a car as soon as you are comfortable. Please take a break every 2 hours and walk around for 10 minutes to reduce risk of blood clots. I prefer you avoid flying in an airplane for 6 weeks after surgery. If you fly, it is preferred that you have an aisle seat and get up and walk every hour.
When can I return to work?
This will depend on several variables, including your progress in rehab, the physical demands of your job, and whether or not your job offers reduced duty. The goal is to get you back to work as quickly as possible without risking your personal safety.
Knee FAQs
What do I do if I have fever over 102°, chills, drainage from incision, calf pain, chest pain or shortness of breath?
If you experience any of these symptoms, please call our office for further instruction. If it is after hours or on weekends, please call the on-call physician at . If you are ever unable to reach anyone, please go to the hospital emergency department immediately.
When can I resume NSAIDs, hormones, or other medications held prior to surgery?
Medications held prior to surgery may be resumed 48 hours after the last dose of your blood thinning agent (Aspirin, Warfarin). This usually occurs I month after surgery.
How long do I take iron after surgery?
You will continue taking the 150mg iron supplement, one tablet daily, 1½ hour after eating, for 1 month after surgery.
When can I resume my usual diet?
You can resume your usual diet as tolerated. Be sure to take pain medication with food to reduce side effects. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
How active should I be after surgery?
Every patient heals, recovers, and rehabs at a different pace. In general, it is best to stay out of bed during the day as much as possible. Elevating your legs when you are lying down can help control swelling. Continue the exercises shown to you by your physical therapist.
Do I need to wear Ted hose (compression stockings)?
Ted hose are not mandatory but may be used for comfort and/or to reduce swelling as needed.
When will my sutures be removed?
Usually you will be closed with Monocryl sutures under your skin with a layer of skin glue on top, neither of which requires removal. In cases where we use staples or nylon sutures to close your skin, they can usually be removed at 10-14 days unless otherwise indicated.
When can I shower after surgery?
You are allowed to shower immediately if you have an Aquacell bandage over your wound. Otherwise, please wait 5 days after surgery if you were closed with Monocryl sutures. If you have staples or nylon sutures, please wait until the day after they are removed before showering.
When can I take a bath?
Please wait 6 weeks before soaking in a bath tub.
When can I swim (pool, lake, river, hot tub)?
Please wait 6 weeks after surgery.
What is my weight bearing status?
In most total knee replacements and even in most revisions, you will be weight bearing as tolerated. In cases of infection when we remove hardware and place an antibiotic cement space, you will be partial weight bearing (1/3 weight bearing). There may be specific cases or circumstances where you may be touch-down weight bearing and even non-weight bearing. This will be clearly indicated to you prior to your discharge.
How long should I use a walker?
As long as needed until you feel stable.
How long should I use a cane?
As long as needed until you feel stable.
When can my partner and I resume intimacy?
You may resume as tolerated.
When can I play golf?
You may resume as tolerated.
When can I ride a stationary bicycle?
You are allowed as tolerated.
When can I return to the gym and resume exercise?
You are allowed to return as tolerated.
When can I drive a car?
Please use discretion, such as no driving within 4 hours of taking narcotic pain medications. For right sided surgery, please wait at least 6 weeks after surgery before driving. For left sided surgery, you may resume driving sooner as long as you are driving an automatic vehicle.
How long will it be before I am able to travel?
You are allowed to ride in a car as soon as you are comfortable. Please take a break every 2 hours and walk around for 10 minutes to reduce risk of blood clots. I prefer you avoid flying in an airplane for 6 weeks after surgery. If you fly, it is preferred that you have an aisle seat and get up and walk every hour.
When can I return to work?
This will depend on several variables, including your progress in rehab, the physical demands of your job, and whether or not your job offers reduced duty. The goal is to get you back to work as quickly as possible without risking your personal safety.
