Managing Co-Morbidities
Co-morbidities are distinct health conditions that are present at the same time and can increase your risk of complications or developing a new health issue altogether. Being aware of co-morbidities and how conditions interact can help your care team ensure you get the safest possible care and have the best outcome after surgery.
Managing Co-Morbidities
Injections
High BMIs
High BMIs affect healing, increases the risk of infection, ability to properly expand lungs and the ability to exercise efficiently. The surgeon, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or surgery scheduler will discuss weight loss goals as well as review available options for weight loss assistance programs. You may also discuss the options with your PCP.
Diabetes
Diabetes can increase your risk of infection, have difficulty with wound healing and slow your movement of the new joint. It is important you keep your diabetes in good control with medication and diet. If you are a diabetic, a new A1C must be drawn within three to four months of your surgery date. Surgery may be postponed if your A1C is above 8.0.
Smoking
Smoking constricts blood vessels, affects healing as well as pain management. It also can increase risk of pneumonia after surgery. Smoking cessation will be discussed.
Patients that are smokers get a Smokelyzer done at the office. A Smokelyzer will tell us the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood. The PA, nurse practitioner and surgery scheduler will discuss options of programs to help you quit smoking. Additional testing of the Smokelyzer is done at pre-op testing and may be done the day of surgery.
Patients that are smokers get a Smokelyzer done at the office. A Smokelyzer will tell us the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood. The PA, nurse practitioner and surgery scheduler will discuss options of programs to help you quit smoking. Additional testing of the Smokelyzer is done at pre-op testing and may be done the day of surgery.
Heart Disease
Heart Disease is not a disease which will prevent surgery from being done, however it must be under control. Medication, nutrition and working with your heart doctor help to decrease risk of complications such as blood clots, being unable to do physical therapy, poor wound healing, and further heart issues after surgery.
Lung Disease
Lung Disease affects the way in which oxygen reaches many organs in the body. As with heart disease it does not automatically prevent you from having surgery, but it must be under control.
Again, you must work with your lung doctor or your PCP to be in the best condition for surgery. Some risks with lung disease are possible risk of infection, poor wound healing, and inability to do your physical therapy after surgery.
Again, you must work with your lung doctor or your PCP to be in the best condition for surgery. Some risks with lung disease are possible risk of infection, poor wound healing, and inability to do your physical therapy after surgery.
Hypertension
Hypertension can also cause complications if not under good control. Risks can include heart problems or stroke. It is important to take your medication as instructed, watch your sodium intake, and monitor your blood pressure as instructed by your PCP.
Vascular Disease
Vascular Disease can increase your risk of blood clots after surgery, poor wound healing, and increase risk of infection.
