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Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Questions to Ask Your Doctor |
Surgery Message Board |
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Fact Sheets from the AAOS |
About Surgery
- What other kinds of treatment could I have instead of surgery? How successful will these treatments be?
- Can you explain the operation?
- Do you have written materials or videos of this surgery that I can review?
- H ow long will the surgery last?
- Can this surgery be performed on an outpatient basis?
- What are the risks involved in this surgery? How likely are they?
- What options are available to avoid blood transfusions?
- What type of anesthesia will be used? What are the risks?
- How much improvement can I expect from the surgery?
- Will more surgery be necessary?
- If surgery is chosen, will you contact my family doctor? Will he or she be involved in my hospital stay? In what way?
- Are you board certified, and do you have a special interest in arthritis surgery?
- What is your experience doing this type of surgery?
- Can you give me the name of someone else who has undergone this surgery, and who would talk to me about it?
- Is an exercise program recommended before and after the operation?
- Must I stop taking any of my medication before surgery?
- What happens if I delay surgery?
- What are the risks if I don’t have surgery?
After Surgery
- How long will I stay in the hospital?
- How much pain will there be? Will I receive medication for it? What kind of pain is normal to expect? How long will this pain last?
- How long do I have to stay in bed?
- When do I start physical therapy? Will I need home or outpatient therapy?
- Will in-hospital rehabilitation be covered?
- May I review written materials or videotapes about this phase of my care?
- Are physical therapy, occupational therapy and home health care covered by insurance? For how long? (You may need to ask your insurance company.)
- Will I need to arrange for some assistance at home? If so, for how long? Is it covered by my insurance? (Again, you may need to ask your insurance company.)
- Will I need any special equipment for my home? Will I need to make any modifications to my home?
- What medications will I need at home, and how long will I need to take them?
- What limits will there be on my activities - driving, using the toilet, climbing stairs, bending, eating, having sex?
- How often will I have follow-up visits with you? Are they covered by insurance? Are they included in the cost of surgery?
This information was adapted from The Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Osteoarthritis and the free Arthritis Foundation brochure Surgery & Arthritis: What You Need to Know. Both can be ordered from the Arthritis Store.
© Copyright 2008, Arthritis Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
