The idea of discussing a joint replacement surgery like hip, knee,
ankle, or shoulder with your doctor can be intimidating, especially
with everything going on in the world right now. If you’re
concerned about having your joint replaced due to potential exposure
to COVID-19, here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do you determine whether or not I need surgery?
- What would happen if I wait six months? One year?
- Other
than surgery, what options do I have for managing my pain?
- Are there any exercises or stretches I can do while I wait for
surgery?
- Why is this surgery referred to as ‘elective’?
- Will I be tested for COVID-19 prior to surgery?
- Where
do you perform surgery? A hospital or surgery center?
- Am I
a candidate for outpatient surgery, where I can go home the same
day?
- If I’m not a candidate for outpatient surgery, how long
will I be in the hospital? When I do leave the hospital, can I go
straight home, or do I have to go to a recovery center like a
skilled nursing home or rehabilitation center?
- What does
your facility do to help fight the spread of COVID-19?
- Will
I be allowed to have visitors?
- What should my caregiver
expect when dropping me off/picking me up?
- Where do I go
the day of surgery?
- What options do I have for remote care
(telephone or video care) pre and post op appointments?
- Will I have physical therapy? If so, how often and for how
long?
- What options do I have for remote care physical therapy
(completing physical therapy exercises at home)?
