Orthopedic Surgery

Schedule Your Surgery & Pre-Admission Testing

Your orthopedic surgical scheduler finds a date for your procedure and coordinates your pre-surgery interview and any needed pre-admission tests. If you don’t hear from a scheduler within five days of your appointment, please call us.

At your interview, we discuss medicines you take — including blood thinners and diabetes medicines. We let you know if you need to stop taking any medicines before your surgery. You also learn how to contact us if there are any changes in your health before your surgery.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

Before your surgery, BIDMC will contact your health insurance company to verify your coverage and get authorization to proceed. If your procedure will be paid for by worker’s compensation, your surgical scheduler will help you complete the process to get authorization for worker’s compensation coverage.

Request Disability & Employee Paperwork

Tell your surgical scheduler if you need disability paperwork completed or a note for your employer. If you make your request before your surgery, we will work to fill it quickly. It may take us up to 10 days to complete these forms.

On the day before your surgery:

• Your surgical scheduler will call to tell you what time to arrive and where to go at the hospital. 
• If you have questions about your medicines, ask the scheduler during this call. 
• If you smoke, do not smoke on the day before surgery. This irritates your lungs and can affect your breathing.

On the night before surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes candy, chewing gum and water. 
• Take a shower.

Follow these tips on the day of your surgery.

• Arrive early and check in at the surgery desk. 
• Be flexible. Surgery times can change if emergencies or cancellations occur. 
• Bring a list of all prescriptions, over the counter medicines, supplements and vitamins you take regularly.  
• If you wear contact lenses, bring your glasses. 
• Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. 
• Take any medicines your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water. 
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. 

You may bring one or two support people with you. If you are going home the same day as your surgery, please arrange for someone to drive you home.

How long it takes you to recover after orthopedic surgery depends on the type of procedure and your condition. Everyone’s recovery time is different.  

Your care team closely monitors you in the days after surgery. We perform many surgeries on an outpatient basis. A case manager helps you access care from home. If you recover in the hospital, your case manager helps you plan for a safe return home.  

Here’s what you can expect:  

• Your hospital stay: The length of your inpatient stay depends on your condition and how well you can care for yourself. 
• Your care team: Your orthopedic surgeon, nurses and physical therapist manage your care after surgery. 
• When physical therapy begins: If your surgery requires a hospital stay, you will likely start physical therapy right away. Your care team helps you get out of bed and start. You complete occupational and physical therapy exercises during several brief sessions each day. If you had outpatient surgery, you may start physical therapy a day or two after your surgery. 
• Physical therapy treatments: Our team uses many common physical therapy treatments, including the following: 
  • Cold / heat therapy 
  • Electrical stimulation 
  • Exercise 
  • Manipulation 
  • Massage 
  • Splints, bandages and braces 
  • Ultrasound 
  • Water therapy 
• Leaving the hospital: When you return home, we give you detailed instructions about your medicines, any limits to your physical activity and a physical therapy plan if you need one. Plan for a family member or support person to help you go home. 
• Specialized rehabilitation: If you need additional physical therapy before returning home, your doctor may order a stay at a rehabilitation center. You receive advanced care to help you return home as quickly as possible. 
• Managing at home: As you return home, your physical therapist provides guidelines. This includes a list of activities and exercises, plus things to avoid. If you need additional help, an occupational therapist or nurse may provide home care for ongoing therapy or special needs.