Orthopedic surgery in Paramus

Preparing for your visit

What to bring, what happens at the first appointment, and how the plan is made.

01Request a visitCall the office or use the booking link to choose a time.
02Bring your recordsImaging, prior reports and a medication list help make the first visit useful.
03Examination and discussionAn exam and a plain explanation of what is going on.
04Decide togetherThe options are laid out so you can choose the plan that fits.

Questions

Questions patients ask

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Ast?

Not always, though many patients reach Dr. Ast through a referral from another physician, and your insurance plan may require one on file before it will cover the visit. Call the office before you schedule to confirm your plan's requirement, and ask your referring doctor's office to forward any notes or imaging ahead of time.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and any referral paperwork your plan requires. If you have had an X-ray, MRI, or other imaging of the knee or hip, bring the images themselves, not just the written report, so Dr. Ast can review them directly.

Will I need an X-ray or MRI before I see Dr. Ast?

Not necessarily. Dr. Ast's practice is centered on knee and hip joint replacement, including partial and total knee replacement and total hip replacement, and many patients are evaluated first with an exam and X-rays taken in the office that day. If you already have recent imaging from another provider, it can be reviewed at the same visit.

How long does the first visit take?

Most first visits run 30 to 45 minutes. That time covers a review of your history, a physical exam, and a conversation about what comes next, and it can run longer if additional imaging is needed while you are there.

I was referred after a sports-related injury. Will my first visit be different?

No, the visit follows the same format no matter how the injury happened. Dr. Ast's focus areas include sports medicine, so if your knee or hip pain developed through athletic activity, that history is part of what shapes the exam and the conversation about non-surgical and surgical options.

What happens after my first visit?

You will leave with a plan, whether that is further imaging, nonsurgical treatment, or a discussion of surgical options. Dr. Ast completed fellowship training in adult reconstruction and joint replacement surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, so if a procedure such as partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, or total hip replacement becomes part of the conversation, it is with a surgeon trained specifically in that subspecialty.

Is Dr. Ast accepting new patients?

Yes. Dr. Ast is accepting new patients at the Paramus, NJ office, whether you are referred by another physician or scheduling on your own. This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. For questions about your own visit, contact Dr. Ast's office directly.

Your visit

What to expect

Dr. Michael Ast is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Paramus, New Jersey. He completed a fellowship, additional training after residency, in adult reconstruction and joint replacement surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery. His practice combines knee and hip replacement with a focus in sports medicine. Dr. Ast performs computer-assisted partial and total knee replacement, among other joint replacement procedures offered through the practice. This page walks through what to expect before your first visit: what to bring, how the appointment is structured, and how to reach the office if you have questions beforehand. Dr. Ast is accepting new patients.

Ready to talk about your care?

Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.

Request an appointment (201) 599-8056

This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.