Orthopaedic Specialty Clinic of Spokane, PLLC

Exercise regularly and eat nutritiously before surgery. This will promote healing and improve muscle strength, which will aid in a quicker recovery.

Your surgeon will let you know if your family physician needs to see you prior to surgery. If you are taking medication on a regular basis, your family physician will tell you if changes are needed. Make a list of your medications including dosage and how often you take them. Include over-the-counter medicine, such as aspirin.

Make sure you tell your surgeon all of the over-the-counter medicines you use. Many of these have aspirin or ibuprofen, which could cause serious bleeding during surgery. You will be asked to stop all anti-inflammatory and aspirin products at least 10 days prior to surgery.

If you smoke this is a good time to quit. Nicotine robs oxygen needed for proper healing of bone and tissue. Smoking may also increase your risk of infection. Help is available through your doctor to aid in smoking cessation.

Some patients may be asked to donate their own blood for use after surgery. This is done by appointment through The Blood Bank. Your surgeon will send the orders to The Blood Bank and it is your responsibility to schedule the appointment. The amount of blood a patient needs to donate varies depending on the complexity of surgery.

Your dentist may need to see you prior to surgery to check fro mouth or gum infection. It is very important that no infection be present as this can compromise your total joint.

You will be scheduled for a pre-operative appointment with the hospital. This appointment will include lab work, x-ray, EKG, and paperwork needed for admittance to the hospital. Please take a list of your current medications with you to this appointment.

You will also be scheduled for a pre-operative appointment with your surgeons' office. A brief history and physical will be done and all the risk and benefits of surgery will be discussed. Any questions you have will be answered during this visit.

It is important to contact your surgeons' office if you notice any of the following symptoms 2-3 days prior to your scheduled surgery:

Any type of infection anywhere on your body including scrapes and rashes.
Cold or sore throat or fever.
Any new health problem.