Pulmonary/lung disease
We are providing this information to you to serve as a guide through your pre- and post-op process. Your particular journey may involve many or none of these steps. At UNOVA Hip & Knee Center, we strive to personalize each patient experience, we understand that every patient we encounter is an individual with unique concerns. This content is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition, those decisions should only be made after consultation with your treating surgeon and primary care physician.
At UNOVA Hip & Knee Center, although we believe every patient is unique, there are a few HARD STOP RULES that we must abide by before we can undertake your surgery. These rules exist to ensure your safety and to give us the best opportunity to help you achieve your desired outcome with the lowest possible chance of encountering a complication. THE PARAMETERS LINKED TO HARD STOPS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
There are a few general health issues and medical conditions that give us greater concern and as such these must be dealt with prior to your being scheduled for surgery.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD—a group of lung conditions that include Asthma, Emphysema, and Sleep Apnea—you will need to see your pulmonologist. These conditions can significantly impact your post-operative recovery if they are not managed properly.
Patients with unmanaged COPD are at increased risk of pulmonary or lung-related complications post-operatively such as pneumonia and breathing difficulty needing ventilator support. Your UNOVA Hip & Knee Center team will work closely with your primary care doctor and pulmonary specialist to maximize your lung function.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD, you will need clearance from your pulmonologist. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to increases in pulmonary, cardiac, and neurological complications, such as stroke in the period surrounding your surgery. They will need to document your compliance with the use of your CPAP machine and document the machine parameters so we may have them available. You will need to bring your CPAP machine to the surgery center or hospital on the day of surgery. NON-COMPLIANCE WITH YOUR CPAP MACHINE IS A HARD STOP!!