Patient Information

• Any letters or reports from your doctor or hospital
• Any X-Rays, CT or MRI films and reports
• A list of all medicines you are taking
• Your ACC number, if you have one
• Medical insurance details if applicable

If you require surgery as a result of your injury, we will liaise with ACC on your behalf to obtain funding for that procedure. In order to communicate with ACC regarding your claim it is important that you provide us with as much information as possible regarding your injury. From the time of your consultation ACC can take up to 6 weeks to reach a decision regarding whether they will fund your proposed surgery. ACC will inform you directly if your surgery is approved. Once this occurs surgery dates can then be confirmed. An ACC approval for surgery is valid for one year.

1. You may appeal ACC’s decision.
2. If you have medical insurance we can generate an estimate of costs for your insurer. Once you submit this estimate to your insurance company we will await acceptance of the quote before booking surgery.
3. Your surgery can be self-funded. In this case an estimate will be provided for your consideration.
4. You may be able to be referred to the public hospital for assessment and treatment.

Once your surgical plan has been decided upon, we will issue you with an estimate of costs for your particular surgery. Bear in mind that this will be an estimate only. Costs can be slightly more or less than anticipated. You will be required to provide your insurance company with this estimate and await their approval. Depending on what insurance plan you have, your insurance company may approve all or part of the costs of surgery. Your insurance company may request the original referral from your GP/physio to the specialist and also our letter describing the diagnosis and the procedure required. Please note that you will need to provide this information to your insurer. They will not liaise directly with your surgeon.

Your approval from the insurer will have an expiry date. Please make yourself aware of this and inform your surgeon’s office. Ninety days is the general period of approval.

Invoices to Insurer

After surgery is completed you will be sent the individual invoices from the various providers, for example, your surgeon, anaethetist, physiotherapist and the hospital. These can then be submitted to your insurer to be paid to each party directly.

Some otherwise healthy patients having simple day case procedures may not need further medical investigations. Our anaethetist will review your medical record and determine if any tests are required.

Download the Anaesthetic Questionnaire PDF here

Peter Misur and the anaethetist will meet you in the pre-op suite to complete any paperwork and give you an opportunity to ask any lingering questions.

Skin Mark

Surgical site marking is an important part of the pre-operative procedure. Your surgeon will draw a mark your skin. This mark will be close to the incision site as these markings need to be seen in the surgical field prior to commencement of your operation.

Anaesthetic

There are different means of administering anaesthesia. Our anaethetist will discuss potential options with you and provide some recommendations regarding the anaesthetic itself as well as post-operative pain management. After entering the operating room your anaesthetic will commence.

Recovery

When you wake up from the anaesthetic, you may be slightly disorientated. You will have a doctor or nurse with you constantly during this period. As the effects of the anaesthetic wear off, you will feel very tired and will be encouraged to rest.

You may feel sore on waking. Tell your recovery nurse and they will provide you with the required pain relief. It is important that you communicate your needs at this point.

Transfer to Ward

Once you are feeling comfortable and alert, you will be transferred to your ward bed. This is the start of your recovery journey. Again, it is important to communicate your needs and requirements to the ward staff.

You will be able to progressively recommence eating and drinking.

• If you have had a simple knee arthroscopy (no cartilage repair required) you will be able to commence full weight bearing from the day of surgery. You will need to keep your wounds dry until suture removal between 12 and 14 days post-operatively. You should avoid excessive activity (eg. Exercycling, prolonged walking) until after your wounds have been checked and sutures removed.
• You may apply ice to your knee for up to 20 minutes at a time in order to reduce swelling. A bag of peas is ideal for this purpose as it will contour to your knee. If you choose to ice your knee please do not apply the ice directly to your skin but rather place a towel over the knee first.
• If you have had a meniscus or cartilage repair procedure your post-operative rehabilitation may be modified in order to allow for initial healing to occur. This will depend on the exact nature of the repair and the location of the injury within your knee. An individualised plan will be created for you in these circumstances.

• Keep your wound absolutely dry until your clips/sutures are removed at two weeks following surgery.
• You may apply ice to your knee for up to 20 minutes at a time in order to reduce swelling. A bag of peas is ideal for this purpose as it will contour to your knee. If you choose to ice your knee please do not apply the ice directly to your skin but rather place a towel over the knee first.
• You will have been prescribed blood thinning medication following your surgery. It is important that you take this as prescribed in order to minimise the chance of developing a post-operative blood clot. Adequate hydration and early mobilisation are also key to avoiding blood clots. Compression stockings will also be issued for discharge.
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• It is normal to have some leg swelling following knee replacement surgery. This will resolve in the weeks following your surgery. If your swelling increases, your calf becomes painful or you are concerned regarding the appearance of your leg you should contact our office as soon as possible as you may have a blood clot. If it is after office hours you should attend your local emergency room. If you are experiencing shortness of breath or chest pain following discharge this is potentially the sign of a very serious clot and you should present immediately to your nearest emergency department.
• You can resume driving once you are able to walk comfortably without aides (crutches, frame.) This is generally 4 – 6 weeks from the time of surgery but never before two weeks. This will be discussed further in clinic at your two week wound review.
• Regular rigorous physiotherapy is crucial to optimising your knee function following joint replacement surgery. The first six weeks are particularly important for regaining motion. Formal physiotherapy will be organised for you but it is even more important that you continue regular exercises at home. The use of a stationary bike is optimal for restoring knee range of motion and strength. You can generally begin using an exercycle three weeks following your knee surgery. This will be discussed at your two week wound check.

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• Keep your wound absolutely dry until your clips/sutures are removed at two weeks post-operatively.
• Following surgery you will commence walking with the help of our ward physiotherapists. They will provide you with detailed instructions regarding ‘hip precautions’ to be observed in order to protect your hip replacement. It is important that your strictly adhere to these guidelines.
• You will have been prescribed blood thinning medication following your surgery. It is important that you take this as prescribed in order to minimise the chance of developing a post-operative blood clot. Adequate hydration and early mobilisation are also key to avoiding blood clots. Compression stockings will also be issued for discharge. Read more
• It is normal to have some mild leg swelling following hip replacement surgery. This will resolve in the weeks following your surgery. If your swelling increases, your calf becomes painful or you are concerned regarding the appearance of your leg you should contact our office as soon as possible as you may have a blood clot. If it is after office hours you should attend your local emergency room for review of your leg. If you are experiencing shortness of breath or chest pain following discharge this is potentially the sign of a very serious clot and you should present immediately to your nearest emergency department.
• You can resume driving once you are able to walk comfortably without aides (crutches, frame.) This is generally 4 – 6 weeks from the time of surgery but never before two weeks. This will be discussed further in clinic at your two week wound review.