Surgery Day - What to Expect
BE PREPARED - Download all necessary documents prior to visit!
Check In
You will need to check in at the surgery center at least 2 hours prior to your surgery. Because you will not be able to drive yourself home following surgery, you should arrange for a friend or relative to drop you off and take you home. If you will need crutches following surgery make sure to bring your crutches with you.
Pre Operative Review
After your blood is taken, you will change into a surgical gown and move to the pre-operative lounge. Once here, the surgical procedure will be reviewed with you and your medical history will be evaluated.
IV Setup
During pre-op an IV line will be established. During surgery, this IV will be used to deliver pain medication and antibiotics.
Shave and Prep
Your operative leg will be shaved and cleaned for surgery using an anti microbial soap. The soap kills all surface bacteria and helps prevent infection.
Anesthesia Review
Your anesthesiologist will review the method of anesthesia with you. For many arthroscopic procedures a local anesthetic is an option. Any prior experiences (good or bad) with anesthesia will be reviewed and taken into account.
Operating Room
When it is time for your surgery you will then move to the operating room. In the operating room, pulse, oxygen level and blood pressure monitors will be placed on your finger and arm. Additionally, a leg holder will be placed around your thigh. The leg holder helps to hold your leg in place during surgery so that you don't have to hold it up during surgery if you are awake (local anesthesia) or so that the surgeon doesn't have to hold it up if you are asleep (general anesthesia).
Ready for Anesthesia
Just prior to the start of your surgery, the anesthesiologist will begin to administer the anesthesia. If you are using a local anesthetic the anesthesiologist will give you a sedative to make you sleep (about 1-2 minutes) while the surgeon numbs your knee. If you are having general anesthesia, you will sleep during the whole surgery and wake upafter its over. Most likely, when you first wake up you will still be in the operating room.
Surgery
Surgery will last anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the procedure. On average most procedures last 30 minutes. A VHS tape will be made of your surgery so that you can review it at you leisure.
Move to Post Op
After surgery you will be moved to the recovery room.
Recovery
During reconvery you will be monitored closely as the effects of anesthesia wear off.
Awake and Alert
After about a half hour you will be moved to stage 2 recovery. At this point you will be awake and alert. The nurse will review the results of the surgery with you, additionally they will discuss any post-operative care (rehab exercises, medications, follow-up visits, etc.) that your will need to follow. Most likely, you will return to our office the following day to check on your progress. When at home be sure to take your medicine as directed, follow your day one rehabilitation exercises, use your cryo-cuff, and take it easy.