Preparing for Procedure

If you are having day surgery, remember the following:

• Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours
• Do not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home
• The combination of anesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting
• After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours
• After you have surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hip), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed, as this will help decrease swelling and pain
• Take your pain medicine as directed
• Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain
• If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty in controlling the pain

What to expect after your operation

Arthroscopic Surgery

Knee Arthroscopy

This is usually a day only procedure. You will usually be ready to go home approximately 4 hours after surgery once you are comfortable and have had something to eat and drink. You will require someone to pick you up after surgery.

The hospital will give you information on wound care and post-operative exercises

You will see Dr Zicat 7-10 days’ post op

Hip Arthroscopy

This sometimes requires an overnight stay in hospital.

The hospital will give you information on wound care

You will see Dr Zicat 7-10 days’ post op

Hip and knee joints replacement patients

You can expect to be in hospital from 5 – 7 days depending on your recovery and particular needs.

You will be visited by Dr Zicat, his assistant surgeon and his Practice Nurse during your hospital stay.