Preparing for your Arthroscopic Surgery

If you are scheduled for arthroscopic surgery, you will be pleased to know that this type of minimally invasive surgery requires smaller incisions than traditional surgery, which means less scarring, less blood loss, and less risk of infection. Arthroscopic surgery has revolutionized orthopedic medicine over the years, allowing orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and treat many conditions of the joints, while greatly reducing both treatment and recovery time. Because arthroscopic surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis without the need for general anesthesia, patients can generally go home the day of the procedure. Here are some tips to help prepare for your arthroscopic surgery.

Follow your doctor’s orders. Your doctor will provide specific instructions in preparation for your surgery, and it’s important to follow all directions pertaining to food, drink, and medications. Here’s a general list to help you prepare for arthroscopic surgery:

·       You may need to stop taking certain medications or supplements in the days leading up to your surgery, so be sure to tell your doctor about every medication, supplement, and over the counter medication you take. In general, you should avoid taking medications that could affect bleeding and clotting, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, Coumadin/Warfarin, Aleve, and fish oil supplements, for a week before your surgery.

·       If there are any medications you’ll need to take right after your procedure, be sure to bring them with you on the day of your procedure.

·       It’s generally recommended to avoid eating or drinking for 8 hours prior to surgery to prevent nausea from anesthesia, so be sure to follow the instructions provided.

·       Arrange for a ride home, as you will not be permitted to drive following anesthesia.

·       Dress comfortably, and leave valuables at home

·       Bring identification and insurance cards

·       Prepare for your recuperation. If you’ll need ice packs, medical equipment, wound care supplies, medications, or special sleeping accommodations, have these set up ahead of time.

Dr. William Hefley is widely recognized as one of the most experienced and highly trained orthopedists in the region, specializing in knee surgery, hip surgery, shoulder surgery, sports medicine, and stem cell/PRP therapy. Board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS), Dr. Hefley has been published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, and he lectures frequently on joint replacement techniques to surgeons from around the United States and abroad.

In an arthroscopic procedure, Dr. Hefley creates a small incision and inserts an arthroscope, an instrument about the diameter of a pencil, that contains a camera which projects images of the hard and soft tissues inside the joint onto a monitor. This magnified view allows diagnosis to be made from information that just can’t be seen from other tests, such as X-rays or MRIs. Once diagnosis is made, arthroscopic surgery may be performed through additional small incisions to the joint area, using precision instruments exactly where needed to repair damaged joints. Advances in arthroscopic surgery allow some procedures to be performed at the same time as diagnosis. Torn cartilage or tendons may be repaired, and biopsies or fluid aspiration may further aid in diagnosis. Some injuries diagnosed in this way can be healed with the assistance of regenerative medicine, such as PRP or Stem Cell Therapy.

Dr. William Hefley is an athlete, marathon runner, youth sports coach, and the father of high school and college athletes. His lifelong love of sports has fueled his passion for treating patients who play sports and returning them to the game they love, and Dr. Hefley enjoys enabling his patients to lead active lifestyles free of pain. His advanced knowledge and specialized experience with hip, knee, and shoulder arthroscopy draws patients from surrounding states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Missouri; patients have traveled from as far away as Colorado, Virginia, and even Alaska, seeking Dr. Hefley’s surgical expertise. We have offices in Little Rock and North Little Rock, and onsite MRI and physical therapy for our patients’ convenience. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bill Hefley, call (800) 336-2412 to use our Online Appointment Request Form.