Orthopedics
Orthopedic Patient Resources in New Jersey | Hackensack Meridian Health
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Our doctors and health care professionals welcome your questions about your disease, injury or upcoming procedure. It is a good idea to write them down before you see your doctor and bring the list with you to your appointment. Here are some sample questions you can ask:- What are my treatment options? Must I have surgery? Are there alternatives?
- Can I get a second opinion?
- What are the expected results in my case?
- How long will the healing time from the surgery be for me?
- What about pain management?
- What kind of follow-up care should I expect?
- Who should I call for non-emergency questions?
Additional Resources
The following resources may be helpful at various points throughout your health care journey.- Guidebook: Total Hip Replacement
- Guidebook: Total Hip Replacement (Spanish)
- Guidebook: Total Knee Replacement
- Guidebook: Total Knee Replacement (Spanish)
- Expert Tips for Good Running
- Stretches to Keep Your Knees Healthy
- Healthy Eating For Healing
Orthopedic Webinar Recordings
How should I prepare for surgery?
- When your surgery is scheduled, arrange for a family member or other caregiver to help you immediately after surgery.
- If you are having a total joint replacement procedure, schedule your Preoperative Education Class for two to four weeks before the surgery.
- Read up on the procedure and ask your doctor any questions you have.
- Prepare ahead of time for your return home.
- Ask your doctor which of your medicines you should stop taking before surgery. Also, ask which ones you should take on the day of surgery.
What should I bring to the hospital?
- Health insurance cards or documentation that includes the insurance company name and policy number, and a picture ID.
- An up-to-date list of all the medicines you take, including dosages and when you take them. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements, prescription, and OTC medicines.
- Bring lightweight, loose-fitting, comfortable clothes such as pajamas, lightweight robe, sweatpants, shorts, and t-shirt for therapy.
- Bring comfortable, low-heeled shoes with closed heels and toes. Non-skid or rubber-soled shoes are preferred. Walking or tennis shoes are a good choice.
- Basic toiletry items are available. If you prefer your own, you can bring them. It can be a good idea to bring lip balm.
- Bringing a book, magazine, iPad, or hobby item can help you relax.
What should I not bring to the hospital?
- Please leave valuables at home. This includes jewelry, large sums of money, computers, etc.
- Please do not bring your own medications. Make sure to bring a list of what you are taking.
How do I prepare the night before surgery?
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes gum, hard candy, water, soda, coffee, tea, beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages.
- You may brush your teeth the night before and morning of surgery. If you take regular medicine, take the ones that your doctor has told you to take.
How do I prepare for my return home?
Get your house ready at least 2 weeks before your scheduled surgery If you cannot do it yourself, ask someone for help. Doing these things ahead of time will help to make your return home easier.
- Remove clutter from rooms and hallways. Make sure there is nothing you can trip on.
- Organize your living areas so that you do not have to do too much lifting, bending, or reaching.
- Move heavy objects and things you use often to an area at waist level (counter height).
- Do some cooking and store meals and soups in the freezer so you have plenty of things to eat. You may want to move some of the things in the lower part of your refrigerator and freezer to higher shelves to make them easier to reach.
- If you have steps, you may want to set up a place to sleep on the main floor of your home for a short while.
- Set up a firm chair with armrests.
- Arrange for extra help with household tasks if you think you will need it.
TIP: Keep an icepack in your freezer in case of joint swelling after surgery. You can also use a bag of frozen peas.
Orthopedic Services
- Bone Cancer Surgery
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic Knee Pain
- Foot and Ankle Pain
- Foot and Ankle Treatments
- Hand and Wrist Pain
- Hand and Wrist Treatments
- Hip Pain
- Hip Replacement and Hip Surgeries
- Integrative Health
- Knee Replacement and Knee Surgeries
- Ortho Rehab
- Rehabilitation
- Shoulder and Elbow Pain
- Shoulder and Elbow Treatments
- Spine and Back Care
- Sports Medicine
- Trauma Injuries
Joint Replacement Recovery
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