Preparing for Your Joint Replacement Surgery
The weeks before, the day of, and the first days at home.
What do I need to arrange before my surgery?
Plan for a ride home, since you will not be able to drive yourself after anesthesia.
Ask someone to be available for the first few days at home, request time off work or school if you need it, and clear walkways of rugs or clutter so you can move safely once you're back.
What should I bring, and what should I stop taking beforehand?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a written list of your current medications, and any cane, walker, or brace you already use.
Your surgical team will confirm exactly which medications to pause and when; this is not a decision to make on your own, and timing varies by drug and by patient.
What happens on the day of my surgery?
You'll check in, change into a gown, and meet the team managing your anesthesia, which is the medicine that keeps you comfortable and unaware during the procedure.
From there you'll go to the operating room for the joint replacement already planned with Dr. Ast, whether that's a partial or total knee replacement using computer-assisted or robotic-assisted technique, or a robotic-assisted total hip replacement. Afterward you'll wake in a recovery area before moving to your room.
Will I need help walking right away after surgery?
Most patients do, at least for the first day or two.
A physical therapist or nurse typically helps you stand and take your first steps with support, often the same day as surgery; how quickly you progress from there depends on your health going in and your recovery plan.
What symptoms after surgery mean I should call right away?
A fever above 101°F, increasing redness, warmth or drainage at the incision, calf pain or swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath are reasons to call your surgical team immediately, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Calf pain or swelling and chest symptoms in particular can signal a blood clot, and need prompt evaluation rather than a wait-and-see approach. For a true emergency, call 911.
Does Dr. Ast's training affect how my surgery is prepared and performed?
Yes. Dr. Ast completed his fellowship in adult reconstruction and joint replacement surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, and he offers computer-assisted and robotic-assisted partial and total knee replacement along with robotic-assisted total hip replacement, so the approach planned for you reflects that training.
His background in sports medicine also shapes how recovery goals around strength and motion are discussed as part of your preparation, alongside the surgical technique itself.
Who do I contact with questions before or after surgery?
Contact Dr. Ast's office directly for any question that comes up, whether it's before your procedure or during recovery.
Dr. Ast is accepting new patients at his practice in Paramus, New Jersey.
This page is educational and does not replace instructions from your surgical team. Always follow the guidance specific to your procedure and health history.
Before your surgery
Preparing for joint replacement surgery starts well before the day of your procedure. In Paramus, Dr. Ast performs partial and total knee replacement, robotic-assisted and computer-assisted knee replacement, minimally invasive hip and knee replacement, robotic-assisted total hip replacement, and primary, complex, and revision total joint replacement.
Dr. Michael Ast earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at North Shore-LIJ Health System. He completed fellowship training in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, where rapid recovery and short-stay joint replacement protocols were part of his focus.
Dr. Ast's background also includes a focus in sports medicine. For patients hoping to return to running, golf, or other activities after surgery, this background often comes up in the conversations he has with patients about recovery goals and pacing before surgery.
The steps below cover what to arrange at home, what to expect the day of your procedure, and what to watch for afterward. Your surgical team at Dr. Ast's Paramus practice will confirm the details for your specific procedure. Dr. Ast is accepting new patients.
- 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.
Ready to talk about your care?
Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.