Patient info

Preparing for Your Orthopaedic Surgery

When hospitalisation is required we are able to offer the resources and education you need to make this period as straight forward as possible.

Planning ahead

Planning ahead will ensure you will feel more relaxed coming into hospital for your surgery and upon your return home.

Our orthopaedic liaison nursing staff will arrange to meet with you and your partner or family member to discuss your particular needs. Alternatively, a phone consultation can be arranged for patients, if this is more convenient.

As everybody’s circumstances are different, this service allows you to ask the questions that are important to you regarding your surgery and hospitalisation. This is generally referred to as your “pre-admission” appointment.

Before hospitalisation

  • Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor or the Orthopaedic liaison nurse at your next appointment.
  • Read all the literature given to you by your doctor, regarding your surgery.
  • If recommended or if you have other health problems, make an appointment to see the anaesthetist prior to admission to hospital. Make sure you take a list (including dosage) of the medications you are currently taking. The surgeon’s rooms may arrange this for you.
  • Most hospitals offer a pre-admission service to discuss any queries or concerns you may have regarding surgery and hospitalisation. Make an appointment to tour the facility of choice before admission and take in your admission information at this time.
  • If you are a smoker it is advisable to stop smoking, or at least reduce the number of cigarettes that you smoke, in order to reduce the risk of chest and circulation problems after surgery. Hospitals are smoke free zones.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs including Voltaren, Feldene, Naprosyn, Celebrex and Aspirin should not be taken for 7 days prior to surgery as they may affect the way your blood clots.
  • If you are taking anti-platelet medication, please check with your doctor prior to surgery.
  • If you are taking Warfarin, your doctor will advise you when to stop. Generally it will be 4-5 days prior to surgery and you will be required to have a blood test on the day of surgery to assess the clotting time of your blood.
  • Your doctor may provide some exercises that you can start to help tone up your muscles prior to surgery.
  • If you have any concerns or queries you can contact us on (08) 8267 8267.

Planning for your homecoming

  • Plan for your homecoming by arranging transport for the discharge day. If you live alone make sure someone can be with you for a night or two.
  • Take the time to look around your home to make sure it will be a safe environment for you, on your discharge from hospital.
  • Position furniture to give clear walkways and roll up any rugs that might cause you to slip.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs including Voltaren, Feldene, Naprosyn, Celebrex and Aspirin should not be taken for 7 days prior to surgery as they may affect the way your blood clots.
  • If you are taking anti-platelet medication, please check with your doctor prior to surgery.
  • If you are taking Warfarin, your doctor will advise you when to stop. Generally it will be 4-5 days prior to surgery and you will be required to have a blood test on the day of surgery to assess the clotting time of your blood.
  • Your doctor may provide some exercises that you can start to help tone up your muscles prior to surgery.
  • If you have any concerns or queries you can contact us on (08) 8267 8267.

Have questions? We're here to help.

Your records and your care: important information for patients

Doctors will cease consulting patients at Orthopaedics SA from 1 June 2026 and Orthopaedics SA will also be closing down permanently from this date. We want to make sure all of our patients understand what this means for their ongoing care and any medical records held by Orthopaedics SA.

What is happening to my records? Your records will transfer to your surgeon’s new practice on 1 June 2026, so they remain accessible to them as your treating doctor. If your surgeon is retiring, we will transfer your records to the new practice and surgeon they have nominated to continue your care.

What if I don’t want my records transferred? You have the right to opt out. To do so, please contact our rooms:

  1. on 8267 8267 during our business hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (SA time), Monday to Friday; or
  2. by replying to this email: info@orthosa.com.au; or
  3. in person, at your usual Orthopaedics SA clinic,

on or before Friday, 1 May 2026 to discuss your options. We will need to verify your identity, before discussing your records with you. If we do not hear from you by that date, we will proceed with the transfer as described above. We encourage you to speak with your surgeon well ahead of this date, to obtain details of the new practice and how it will handle your personal information.

What if I have more questions? Please contact our clinic directly using the number you already have on file.

Thank you for being a patient of Orthopaedics SA.