Pre-Surgery Questions
Do I need surgery?
- Dr. Brady promises to treat you just as he would treat a family member...that being said, he will only recommend surgery if that is the treatment that is best for you and your condition.
- Some orthopaedic problems can be effectively treated with conservative measures such as injections, physical therapy, or activity modifications. Other problems are extremely urgent and could necessitate surgery urgently. Dr. Brady will make every attempt to fully educate you on your particular condition
What are my OTHER options?
- Many orthopaedic operations are considered elective. That being the case, there are usually three options.
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- Live with your current problem.
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- Try conservative treatments such as medications, therapy, cortisone injections, or activity modifications.
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- Surgery
What are the RISKS of surgery?
- Any surgical procedure caries with it some risks... these risks include but are not limited to:
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- Infection, continued pain, stiffness, development of blood clots, failure of the original surgery, need for further surgery, nerve or vessel damage, failure of the bone or tissue to heal, failure of the bone or tissue to heal in the appropriate position, continued dysfunction despite surgery, medical risks, anesthesia risks, and more.
What are the BENEFITS of surgery?
- The purpose of surgery in the first place is to get BETTER! Therefore the benefits of surgery generally include:
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- Improved pain...hopefully totally eliminate it!
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- Improved function
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- Improve your anatomy (ie - try to get your body back to the way it is supposed to be in order to prevent future problems)
How do I schedule surgery?
- Once it is determined that you need surgery you can schedule a date and time for the procedure. You can call Dr. Brady's assistant AMY or TONYA to schedule surgery. If you schedule during one of your clinic visits you will schedule with Tonya directly.
- Once surgery is scheduled, our staff at TOC will take care of pre-certifing your surgery with your insurance company. We will call you to let you know the details of your insurance coverage as it relates to our fees at TOC.
- Generally Dr. Brady schedules surgeries approximately 2 to 4 weeks out.
Once I have scheduled surgery...
- Usually Dr. Brady will ask you to attend a preoperative physical therapy (PT) visit. This visit is very important. At this visit you will learn:
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- Proper postoperative home exercises
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- How to use and adjust your sling or brace
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- How to accomplish daily activities such as getting dressed, shower, using restroom, etc...
- Almost every patient will be sent for some standard preoperative tests. These include some blood work, an EKG to look at your heart, and a chest XR to look at your lungs. On the day you schedule surgery we give you an order form to obtain these tests. If you wish you can walk directly over to the hospital and complete these tests or you can do it later if it is more convenient.
- If you have certain medical problems, Dr. Brady may ask that you go to see your primary care physician or your cardiologist prior to your orthopaedic procedure. If this is the case, please have your primary care physician send us a note or a letter stating that you will be able to have orthopaedic surgery.
- Enjoy a wonderful dinner the night before your surgery but STOP eating at midnight!
- If your surgery is a few weeks away, keep as comfortable as possible in the meantime. If you're scheduled for shoulder or knee surgery, try not to let the joint get to stiff during this time...keep your motion up!
- Ask Dr. Brady EVERY question you can think of! Call our office and if all your questions are not answered by Dr. Brady's assistants (Amy & Tonya) then Dr. Brady will be sure to get your questions answered.