Learning About Your Health

Total Knee Replacement: Preparing for Your Surgery

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Please review this information to help you prepare for your surgery and hospitalization. We want you to be involved in the decisions affecting your care. If you have family members, caregivers, or friends caring for you, please have them read this information.

Each person has a unique health condition. If you have any questions, please ask the doctors, nurses, and therapists caring for you.

Your Surgical Checklist

  • Make an appointment with your primary care doctor: You need to make an appointment for a physical exam a couple of weeks before your surgery. Your primary care doctor will make sure you are physically able to undergo surgery.
  • Pre-register for Surgery: Pre-registration is a two-step process that is necessary for you to complete before having surgery at California Pacific Medical Center. Step one (1) involves registration of your insurance and personal information. Step two (2) involves speaking with a registered nurse (RN), who informs you of any necessary testing you may need before your surgery.
    1. Pre-register online. Click "Register online" for the campus where your surgery is scheduled. Follow the online instructions to complete the Surgery Pre-Admission form. This will take about 10 – 15 minutes. Be sure to have your insurance information when you complete the online form. You may also call (415) 600-2500 to speak with a registrar.
    2. Speak with a nurse by calling (415) 600-2500 no earlier than 2 weeks before your surgery. You may speak with a nurse at that time or schedule a phone appointment for a later time. Please have a current list of medications and supplements you are taking. The nurse informs you of any further testing you may need.
  • Important reminders to check with your doctor:
    • If you need any dental procedures before surgery, ask your surgeon about the appropriate timing.
    • Your doctor usually recommends that you stop taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and any drugs that contain aspirin 1 week before surgery. Please check with your doctor about the medications you are currently taking.
    • Check with your doctor ahead of time about any medication(s) that you feel you must take the day of surgery.
    • If you are taking any herbal or over-the-counter medications, please discuss this with your doctor.
  • Donate your own blood, if your surgeon has instructed you to do so: Call your local blood bank to make arrangements. You may start donating blood 5 weeks before your surgery. Note: The blood bank may charge a fee for this service.
  • Start knee strengthening exercises (both legs): Ankle Pump, Quad Set, Gluteal Squeeze, Straight Leg Raise, Long Arc Quad.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Quit smoking: Talk with your doctor about quitting smoking. The Community Health Resource Center, in the Lobby at 2100 Webster Street, has classes and support groups for people who want to quit smoking.

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Preparing Your Home Before Surgery

  • Plan ahead to simplify your meal preparation. Before you come to the hospital, do your grocery shopping, and prepare and freeze meals. In your kitchen, place cooking utensils that you use frequently within easy reach.
  • Remove throw rugs and other obstacles in your walkway.
  • Arrange your furniture so that there is a clear walkway to the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Many patients will use a walker after leaving the hospital. This means you need more room to maneuver around your home.
  • Make sure you have at least one firm chair that has armrests for you to use after surgery. You should not sit in a chair that rocks, rolls, or swivels.
  • Place a non-skid bath mat in your tub or shower.
  • Do you have stairs in your home? If you have stairs at home, count your stairs. When you come to the hospital, let your physical therapist know how many stairs you have and if you have a railing.

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The Day Before Surgery

  • You may eat your regular diet until the evening before your surgery.
  • DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY.
  • Your surgeon or primary doctor may request that you bring all of your medications in the original containers to the hospital. Note: For patient safety, please give any and all medications from home to the nursing staff. Medication brought in from home will not be used during your stay in the hospital unless it is not available from the hospital pharmacy. Your medications will be returned to you when you are ready to go home.

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The Day of Surgery

Go Directly to the Specific Campus Where Your Surgery is Scheduled

  • Pacific Campus
    (415) 600-3480
    Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)
    2351 Clay Street
    Stanford Building, 6th Floor
  • California Campus
    (415) 600-2097
    Ambulatory Surgery Unit on the 3rd floor
    3700 California Street
  • Davies Campus
    (415) 600-6140
    Admissions - Lobby Level, North Tower
    Castro & Duboce Streets

  • Take only the medications that you were instructed to take by the surgeon/primary doctor or nurse facilitator - with a sip of water.
  • Arrive 2 hours before your scheduled surgery. This time is required by the staff to help prepare you for your surgery. Note: If you are scheduled for surgery at 7:00, 7:15, or 7:30 a.m., please arrive at 6:00 a.m.
  • Most operations are performed on time (for example, within 30 minutes of the scheduled surgery). The staff will keep you well-informed of any delays.

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Surgical Waiting Areas - For Your Convenience

During your surgery, your family and friends may wait in the designated Surgical Waiting Areas. Staff will direct your family and friends to the designated areas as well as keep them well-informed. Note: If you are a patient at the Davies Campus, Your family may wait in the Surgical Waiting Room on the A Level of the hospital during your surgery.

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More Ways to Learn About Your Health

Visit the Community Health Resource Center at 2100 Webster Street in San Francisco, (415) 923-3155. Services include classes and written information on a variety of health topics.

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Appendix - Knee Strengthening Exercises


  • Bend ankles up and down, alternating feet.

  • Repeat 10 times. Do 2-3 sessions per day.


  • Slowly tighten thigh muscles of straight leg while counting out loud to 5. Relax.

  • Repeat 10 times. Do 2-3 sessions per day.


  • Squeeze buttocks muscles as tightly as possible while counting out loud to 5.

  • Repeat 10 times. Do 2-3 sessions per day.


  • Bend one leg. Keep other leg as straight as possible and tighten muscles on top of thigh. Slowly lift straight leg 18 inches from bed and hold 3 seconds. Lower it, keeping muscles tight 3 seconds. Relax.

  • Repeat 10 times. Do 2-3 sessions per day.


  • Straighten operated leg and try to hold it 5 seconds.

  • Repeat 10 times. Do 2-3 sessions a day.


Developed by the Center for Patient and Community Education in association with the Department of Outcomes Management at California Pacific Medical Center. Last updated: 9/07.

Appendix - Knee Strengthening Exercises: Printed with permission of VHI Product License Agreement. © Copyright 1995 VHI.

© 2002 - 2008 California Pacific Medical Center.

Funded by: A generous donation from the Mr.and Mrs. Arthur A. Ciocca Foundation.

Note: This information is not meant to replace any information or personal medical advice which you get directly from your doctor(s). If you have any questions about this information, such as the risks or benefits of the treatment listed, please ask your doctor(s).

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