If you are referred to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital for a Knee Replacement or Hip Replacement, you will be given an appointment to see one of our Orthopaedic Surgeons.
At this consultation, your surgeon will have a look at your medical history, your X-rays and will examine your knee before discussing the most appropriate course of treatment.
If it is decided that surgery is the best course of action, the surgeon will discuss in detail what is involved in the operation, along with any associated risks and complications, beginning the process of Informed Consent.
At this stage, arrangements will be made for you to attend the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic.
The Orthopaedic Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic is run by experienced nurses and healthcare assistants.
The aim of the clinic is to determine if you are medically fit to undergo surgery. The full process will usually take two-three hours. We aim to have everything done in one visit, but some patients may have to come back another day.
Bring all medication that you are taking in its original packaging.
You will receive a comprehensive education, exercise and advice booklet. You should read your booklet and begin the exercises and healthy living advice before your operation.
You will be seen by:
You will attend:
You may be required to undergo the following tests:
Our Orthopaedic Wards are 2 East and 2 West.
Some patients are admitted to the ward the day before surgery and some are admitted to the Surgical Day Unit on the day of surgery. Your letter will tell you what time to come in and where you will be admitted.
The discharge planning process begins at the pre-operative clinic. We will ask about your home circumstances and transport arrangements at clinic and again when you come in for your operation. After you have been to clinic this is a good time to start planning who will help at home and who will take you to and from the hospital.
The occupational therapists will assess what equipment and aids you may need at home and arrangements can be made to ensure this is delivered to your home before you are discharged from hospital.
When you have met the discharge criteria found in your patient booklet, for example, you have achieved your therapy goals and have adequate pain control you will be discharged home. Patients normally go home two to three days after their operation, however please be aware that your stay may be extended: patients will only be permitted to discharge home when it is safe for them to do so.
All necessary medication will be given to you before you go home.
At home it is important that you continue with all the exercises and precautions given by the physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This will help you get back to fitness and get the best from your new joint.
Your booklet is also a good resource to help you remember your exercises and precautions. Your booklet contains a helpful frequently asked question section that may answer any questions or worries you have when you get home.
A member of the Arthroplasty Outcome Team (AOT) will contact you 10-14 days after the operation.
You can contact them directly if you are experiencing any problems:
You will attend the GP practice nurse, or a district nurse may visit you, approximately 10-14 days after the operation to remove sutures or staples.
enquiries@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk Hospital Switchboard 0141 951 5000