Patient Information

Patients with hip and knee arthritis are initially assessed by an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP). The RAC appointment involves a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment and education about treatment options. You will then be referred to see Dr. Chang at the next available clinic.

A surgical consultation is required to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery. The risks and benefits of surgery will be discussed in detail with you. Once you have agreed to surgery, you will complete the required documents including the consent form.

The office will call you after your clinic appointment to book a surgery date. Unfortunately, we are unable to book a surgery date at the same time as your clinic appointment.

If you need to cancel or change your surgery date, please do so at least six weeks in advance.

The Surgical Pre-Screening Clinic provides care to patients before surgery. This is a multi-disciplinary clinic who will assess, educate, and prepare you for surgery. All patients require a pre-assessment appointment prior to surgery. Most patients undergoing hip and knee replacement require an in-person appointment to obtain bloodwork, an ECG, and up-to-date x-rays.

Please bring a list of your current medications. Some medications, such as blood thinners or immunosuppressants, may need to be stopped prior to surgery.

Telephone appointments are offered to some patients who are healthy and undergoing smaller operations, such as arthroscopy.

The pre-assessment clinic will give you instructions about which regular medications you should continue before surgery. Most of your regular home medications should be continued before and after surgery.

Some medications, such as blood thinners or immunosuppressants, may need to be stopped prior to surgery.

On the day of surgery, please arrive at your scheduled time:

Humber River Hospital – Surgical Reception
1235 Wilson Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M3M 0B3

Please ensure that you have arranged somebody to pick you up after surgery to take you home.

You will need to check in at the Surgical Registration Desk (2nd Floor) approximately 2 hours before surgery. You will be given a patient wrist band and proceed to the Pre-Operative Unit where you will change into a hospital gown.

You will then meet an Operating Room (OR) nurse who will review your medical information and confirm your surgery. Following this, you will meet the Anaesthesiologist and discuss the anaesthesia plan. Peripheral nerve blocks and spinal anaesthesia are often performed in the “block room” prior to entry into the OR.

Dr. Chang will meet you before surgery to answer any last-minute questions, confirm the consent form, and mark your surgery site with a permanent marker.