Follow-up Appointments
Before your discharge, you will usually be notified when your follow up appointment with your surgeon will be. In some cases, the appointment details will be sent in the post.
At your follow up visit, your surgeon will ask about your pain and your progress with mobility and exercise. Your physical exam will include a careful check of your knee stability and range of movement, the amount of swelling, and the healing of your surgical wound to rule out any signs of infection.
Getting prepared for your follow-up appointment
In preparation for your appointment, make sure you write down a list of all the questions you want to ask or any issues you wish to discuss with the surgeon. Take those notes with you on the day, and then tick off each point during your appointment. Don't be afraid to ask questions about things that are not clear; it’s appropriate to ask your care team to explain things to you until you are sure you understand them.
You may want to take someone with you for support. Be sure to bring all your medications with you to your appointments. If you are struggling with pain control, it is useful to keep a pain diary for over a week leading to your appointment.
Are you supposed to have any blood tests or scans before the appointment?
Your hospital paperwork should tell you if there are any tests, scans, or x-rays you need to have before your appointment. If you have any questions about having these done, contact your care manager or your doctor.
Travelling to the appointment
Depending on how soon after the surgery your appointment is scheduled, you may not be able to drive yourself to the hospital, so you may need to ask a friend or family member to take you.
If you do not have anyone to take you, ask your care manager or doctor's office to help you get transport. Be sure to ask a few days before your appointment. Aim to arrive early, so you are relaxed but be prepared for a delay in being seen.
Do you need an interpreter?
Many surgeries and hospitals will have interpreters in person or on the phone. Even if you speak English well, medical terms can often be hard to understand if English is not your first language. Ask for an interpreter as soon as possible if you need one.
Examples of questions to ask
Write down any questions you want to ask your doctor so that you don't forget. Here are a few ideas:
Is my recovery on track?
How soon can I stop or start to reduce my pain medication?
What are the signs to watch out for at this stage?
How soon will I know how fully I will recover?
What is the risk of the injury recurring, and what can I do to prevent it??
What problems do I need to look out for with my wound as it heals?
When will I likely be ready to get back to work?
What else can I do to help myself recover well?
How much longer will the post-operative precautions (if any) last?
References:
NHS, 2022, What to Ask Your Doctor https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/what-to-ask-your-doctor/
NHS, 2022, Outpatients and Day Patients https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/going-into-hospital/outpatients-and-day-patients/