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FAQs - Making your first appointment:
How do I make my first appointment with a physician at JRI?
Please call the main telephone number to Joint Replacement Institute at (213) 484-7600. If you do not know which physician to make your appointment with, the receptionist will help you choose the appropriate physician for you. Please have your insurance card available when you make this call. We will need the insurance company name, the ID number on your card, the Group number and the insurance phone number. You can also e-mail a request for an appointment to JRIinfo@dochs.org. Please provide the above information with your request.
What other information will I need to provide?
You will be sent a “new patient” packet to be completed and hand carried with you to your first appointment. The packet includes forms to be filled out regarding your current medical history and who your primary care physician is your personal contact information, address and phone number, and other documents to be signed regarding release of medical records, financial responsibility, and other legal documents. Please be sure to include all of the current medications you are taking on the “current medications” sheet. (Eventually… “click here to download forms. E-mail forms to JRIinfo@dochs.org)
FAQs - Telephone Consultation:
How do I arrange for a telephone consultation?
Please call the main telephone number to Joint Replacement Institute at (213) 484-7600, or e-mail your request to JRIinfo@dochs.org. You will be sent a consultation packet to be filled out and sent back to JRI.
FAQs – Cash Patients with No Insurance Coverage:
FAQs - Surgery
What is the process for insurance approval once it is determined that I need surgery?
Depends on insurance: HMO – this can vary from 7 to 30 days; Medi-Cal – takes 3-6 weeks; PPO – precertification process could be anywhere from 3-7 business days depending on your type of surgery.
If this is a hip resurfacing, this process may take longer. If the request for hip resurfacing surgery is denied it is your responsibility to initiate an appeal with your insurance carrier.
When can I have dental work done?
NO dental work 14 days prior to surgery and 90 days after surgery. You will need to have antibiotics given by your dentist with any dental work, even a routine cleaning. Your surgeon will tell you how long after your surgery (how many years) you will need to take antibiotics at the time of dental work. If your dentist is not able to prescribe the antibiotic, please call the office for instructions.
For emergency dental work (broken tooth, etc.) – please call for instructions: an antibiotic will be prescribed.
What medications should I stop before my surgery?
This will be outlined in your surgery packet. You will need to discontinue all anti-inflammatory medications. These include: motrin, aspirin, and all aspirin containing products such as Alka Seltzer, Bufferin, Anacin, Pepto-Bismol; all anti-inflammatories such as Indocin, Naprosyn (Aleve), and Tolectin, Herbal products such as St. John’s Wort, Arnica or Ginkgo Biloba.
Note: Coumadin & other blood thinners must be discussed with your primary care physician (PCP) before surgery.
FAQs After Your Surgery:
When can I shower after surgery?
You can shower any time but the JRI physicians recommend that you do not get the incision wet until post-op day 5. Keep the incision covered with a water-proof dressing while in the shower until post-op day 5. After that, it is OK to get the incision wet in the shower but do not submerge the incision in a bath tub, pool, hot tub, etc. until 3 weeks after surgery.
If there is drainage from the incision site after your discharge home, you should not shower and should call the clinic to notify the staff. Our staff will notify the physician assistant or surgeon for further instruction.
Should the steri-strips be removed?
No, they will peel away and fall off naturally on their own. Trimming the ends that may curl up with a small pair of scissors will help keep them from snagging on clothing. Do not pull the strips over the incision. Wait for them to fall off.
What should I do for swelling in my legs after surgery?
Take short walks several times a day. Elevate your legs when resting. Avoid prolonged (>30 minutes) periods of sitting. Wear the white compression stockings until the swelling is resolved. Ice can be applied over the surgical area for 20 minutes, once each hour. Please do not apply ice directly to skin.
How long will I need to use crutches/walker?
It varies with each patient. Most patients will use crutches for 2-3 weeks then transition to either 1 crutch or a cane for the next week or two. The decision to wean from the crutches is based on your level of comfort. Never walk without support if you are limping!!
Note: Dr. Amstutz – patients should be 50% weight bearing for 1 month after surgery.
After surgery how long do I need to wait to come back and see the surgeon?
Dr. Mynatt – 2 weeks (will be seen by the PA only); at 6 weeks post-op will be seen by the MD and have x-rays taken).
Dr. Schmalzried – 6 weeks (will see MD and x-rays will be taken)
Dr. Amstutz – 4 weeks (will see MD and x-rays will be taken).
Note: Out of town post-op patients should mail their x-rays to JRI for:
Dr. Amstutz at 4 weeks.
Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Schmalzried at 6 weeks.
Your surgeon will call you to review your x-rays.
Who will provide my P.T. prescription and when?
For Dr. Amstutz’s patients, a prescription will be written once the 4 week x-rays are reviewed.
For Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Schmalzried’s patients, a prescription for Physical Therapy will be enclosed in your pre-operative packet that you receive prior to surgery. Please call the office if you did not receive one.
When do I begin my physical therapy after surgery?
Dr. Amstutz – P.T. begins after the 4 week post-op visit with the surgeon.
Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Schmalzried – plan to begin your therapy as soon as you are discharged.
If you live close to St. Vincent Medical Center you may wish to come to the Physical Therapy Department here. If so, call (213) 484-7937 to make an appointment.
If not, make an appointment with a facility of your choice.
When can I start driving?
After you are off narcotic pain medication. The doctor cannot legally authorize you to drive. This decision is ultimately up to each patient, and depends on which side you had the surgery. Since the gas/brake pedal is on the right side, patients with surgery on this side usually require more time. Check with your auto insurance liability policy to see if there’s a clause that discludes coverage for any period of time after major surgery.
For example: Left hip/knee patients need to be off medications. Right hip/knee patients need to have good control of the right leg and must be off medications.
Where do I get my disability forms?
From your employer or for California residents, go on-line to the Employment Development Department at www.edd.ca.gov. Please fill out your portion of the form completely and submit to the Medical Assistant. Be sure to sign and date your forms.
Should the steri-strips be removed?
No, they will peel away and fall off naturally on their own. Trimming the ends that may curl up with a small pair of scissors will help keep them from snagging on clothing. Do not pull the strips over the incision. Wait for them to fall off.
What should I do for swelling in my legs after surgery?
Take short walks several times a day. Elevate your legs when resting. Avoid prolonged (>30 minutes) periods of sitting. Wear the white compression stockings until the swelling is resolved. Ice can be applied over the surgical area for 20 minutes, once each hour. Please do not apply ice directly to skin.
How long will I need to use crutches/walker?
It varies with each patient. Most patients will use crutches for 2-3 weeks then transition to either 1 crutch or a cane for the next week or two. The decision to wean from the crutches is based on your level of comfort. Never walk without support if you are limping!!
Note: Dr. Amstutz – patients should be 50% weight bearing for 1 month after surgery.
After surgery how long do I need to wait to come back and see the surgeon?
Dr. Mynatt – 2 weeks (will be seen by the PA only); at 6 weeks post-op will be seen by the MD and have x-rays taken).
Dr. Schmalzried – 6 weeks (will see MD and x-rays will be taken)
Dr. Amstutz – 4 weeks (will see MD and x-rays will be taken).
Note: Out of town post-op patients should mail their x-rays to JRI for:
Dr. Amstutz at 4 weeks.
Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Schmalzried at 6 weeks.
Your surgeon will call you to review your x-rays.
Who will provide my P.T. prescription and when?
For Dr. Amstutz’s patients, a prescription will be written once the 4 week x-rays are reviewed.
For Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Schmalzried’s patients, a prescription for Physical Therapy will be enclosed in your pre-operative packet that you receive prior to surgery. Please call the office if you did not receive one.
When do I begin my physical therapy after surgery?
Dr. Amstutz – P.T. begins after the 4 week post-op visit with the surgeon.
Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Schmalzried – plan to begin your therapy as soon as you are discharged.
If you live close to St. Vincent Medical Center you may wish to come to the Physical Therapy Department here. If so, call (213) 484-7937 to make an appointment.
If not, make an appointment with a facility of your choice.
When can I start driving?
After you are off narcotic pain medication. The doctor cannot legally authorize you to drive. This decision is ultimately up to each patient, and depends on which side you had the surgery. Since the gas/brake pedal is on the right side, patients with surgery on this side usually require more time. Check with your auto insurance liability policy to see if there’s a clause that discludes coverage for any period of time after major surgery.
For example: Left hip/knee patients need to be off medications. Right hip/knee patients need to have good control of the right leg and must be off medications.
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