Your Journey
You are the Most Important Person on this Journey
Our team aims to make this entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible. We are available to you at any point in your journey, irrespective of whether you have had surgery yet or not. Please reach out to us so that we can help.
Before Your Appointment
- Dr Sundaram uses AI medical transcription. This allows for a relaxed, flowing conversation and ensures none of the important pieces in your problem are missed. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to ask
- Please bring with you any old X-rays, DEXA (bone density), CT scans, ultrasounds, or MRI that you may have. If you have recent imaging, please let our staff know where they can be found
- If you have any recent blood test results from your GP, please bring a copy with you
- Please bring your list of medications or your Webster Pack, if you use one. We are especially interested in osteoporosis treatments, blood thinners, diabetic medications, and immune therapy medications such as those prescribed by a Rheumatologist
Do I Need to Fast Before the Appointment?
- Before surgery you need to avoid solid food, milk, yoghurt, or soft drinks for 6 hours or up to 24 hours if you are currently taking a weight loss injection
- We endeavour to get you seen and treated as quickly as possible but the earliest opportunity for surgery may be the following day
- If you think you may need an operation and you can tolerate water, black tea or apple juice on the day until Dr Sundaram sees you, then you may be able to have surgery that day
Nutrition to Help Healing
- Your body needs protein and vitamins and minerals to help repair after trauma or around the time of Surgery. With our busy schedules it is easy to overlook the fuel we consume but Abay will take a few minutes to explore your diet further
- We have pre-formulated and tested surgical nutrition options available; but Dr Sundaram may also refer you to a Dietitian for their expert input into your specific needs
Mental Well-Being
- Don't be alarmed if Dr Sundaram asks about your mental well-being. Pain can be a challenging phenomenon to identify and target, and can be exacerbated by our overall mental and emotional condition
- In some patients, surgery may not be the answer and can have a negative impact; so it is vital to identify if there is something we can address by referring you on to someone specialised in talking therapies, mindfulness, or in some cases, prescribing supportive medications
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
- The most important trait in your physiotherapist is that you trust them and will engage with them. We can refer you to our physiotherapists or someone closer to home to help optimise how you rehabilitate
- Dr Sundaram may ask you to visit a physiotherapist or give you a program for the gym to help condition the muscles around your pelvis, hip and knee, before your operation. This improves your recovery after the operation, and for some patients, may reduce their symptoms and avoid the need for surgery
- We need to know who is at home with you to help you recover from your injury or surgery. We will work closely with the team at the hospital to ensure you get home safely and continue to improve
Wearables & Monitoring Your Recovery
- Throughout your recovery, Dr Sundaram and your physiotherapists will be closely monitoring your progress to ensure you reach each milestone
- You may also get a message from him asking you to "Slow down!". Your lawns can wait, use this time to heal and mange your post-operative inflammation
Ice & Compression Therapy
- Tried and tested by Dr Sundaram himself, the RE3 cryocompression brace provides a reliable and comfortable method of providing cold therapy and compression to an injured, inflamed or post-operative hip or knee.
- The braces help to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain. They can be worn above your clothing and do not restrict you from moving around. The knee brace also allows bending and straightening of your knee, which is vital as you recover from knee replacement surgery