Preparing for knee replacement surgery involves establishing relationships – with a physical therapist, with your insurance company, and with the surgery facility you are using.
Get in shape before knee replacement surgery
It is well known by your surgeon that patients who are physically fit prior to surgery recover much faster. They also return to activity sooner than patients who are sedentary. If you want your recovery time to be shorter and have less pain then you need to get yourself in shape.
You will be directed to a physical therapist for instruction on which muscles to strengthen and which joints to stretch. Exercises should begin as soon as possible. Patients who enter surgery with good flexibility and strength will recover more quickly than those who are in poor physical condition. Additionally, fit patients tolerate pain much better.
Establishing a relationship with a physical therapist is an important part of preparing for knee replacement surgery. It is very helpful and will set the tone for the therapy that will be required after surgery. The therapist will get to know where your starting point is. This makes the rehabilitation process more helpful to you.
Most of the preoperative exercises that you will be directed to do take a little time each day to do, but will make a huge difference in how you recover!
Contact your insurance company before knee replacement surgery
In preparing for knee replacement surgery, we will be contacting your insurance carrier to inquire whether authorization, pre-certification, second opinion, or a referral form are required. Any problems that arise with the insurance coverage will be sorted out prior to this elective surgery so that no surprises develop during your stay in the surgery facility or in the post-operative time frame.
It would be worth your while to confirm your benefits as they apply to coverage of the surgery, hospital stay, post-op rehab, and extended stay at a rehab facility so that you are comfortable with the projected expense and your responsibility for payments.
Some insurance companies insist on having the opinion of another surgeon to justify the surgical procedure. Our office coordinator will contact your insurance company to pre-authorize your surgery. If a second opinion is required, you will be notified.
Register with the facility before your knee replacement surgery
You will need to pre-register with the admitting department of the facility prior to your surgery day. An appointment will be made for you. Plan about 1 hour for this visit.
At this visit you will be providing personal information to the facility which is needed to provide appropriate service during your surgery. In addition, you will be seen by a pre-admissions nurse who will review your medical history and medication so that this info is appropriately listed on your medical record.
Please bring the following information with you when you pre-register:
- Your insurance card
- Photo I.D.
- Advance Directives, and Living Will if you have one
- List of all medications and the correct dosages of these meds.
Getting these relationships established and the paperwork completed before you arrive at the facility will make the day of your knee replacement surgery run smoothly.
For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of a visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read on this topic.