Introduction

If you have been scheduled for total knee replacement surgery, there are certain things that will happen both pre-operatively and post-operatively, of which you should be aware.

Normally, your surgery will take place approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of scheduling. During this time, you will be busy; you will have blood tests, urine tests, x-rays and possibly some special scans. If you are over 40 years of age, you normally will also require a chest x-ray and Electrocardiogram. These tests will be ordered either by your surgeon or can be performed by your internist.

You will be given the opportunity to donate your own blood pre-operatively. A 20 year-old law requires this, but it is rarely needed anymore as there are newer techniques for minimizing blood loss and salvaging blood during and after the surgery. Please discuss this with your surgeon. If you elect to donate your own blood, arrangements will be made at a local Blood Bank to donate blood beginning 4 weeks pre-operatively. Regardless of whether you donate your own blood, you will be asked to take iron pills to ensure that your body has enough iron stores prior to surgery.

You will need to have a complete history and physical examination performed by an internist or family practitioner. This can either be your own private physician or one that your surgeon recommends. It is usually best if this physician has privileges at Sutter General so that he/she can be available to manage any medical problems that may arise after surgery. The purpose of this visit will be to determine if you are medically able to undergo the surgery. Some additional consultations (which depend on your medical history) may be required from other specialists (such as cardiologists or pulmonary specialists). These will also be arranged prior to your surgery if they are needed.