You will be contacted by the OR Booking Clerk from Mineral Springs Hospital once the hospital is ready to book your surgery.  Contact our office at 403-760-2897 if your injury worsens or you have any questions regarding your injury or surgery.

!ADDITIONAL COVID-19 Consent:

By accepting your surgery date you agree to the information in the COVID consent form. All patients are asked to self isolate and/or practice physical distancing for 5 days prior to their surgery date. Information on how to self-isolate may be found at https://www.alberta.ca/isolation.aspx

What You Should Know about Covid-19 and Elective Surgery:

• It is recommended that patients who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 should self isolate for the 7 days prior to their surgery date and fully vaccinated patients should practice social distancing and wear masks in public during this time period.
• Patients infected with the coronavirus at the time of surgery are at higher risk of developing severe post-operative complications.
• These complications are much more common in patients over the age of 60, those with one or more medical co-morbidities (such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart and lung disease), and those undergoing major surgery.
• The vast majority of surgeries performed by the Banff Sport Medicine team are not considered major.
• Patients infected with the coronavirus who are undergoing a general anesthetic, as compared to regional anesthetic (such as a spinal anesthetic or nerve block), may spread the virus more easily to health care workers in the OR and may be at higher risk of pulmonary complications.
• Social isolation and wearing masks are effective in limiting the spread of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

What You Can Do to Limit the Risk of Covid-19 Complications after Elective Surgery During the Pandemic:

• Notify our office pre-operatively if you have developed Covid-like symptoms or have been a close contact with someone who has Covid-like symptoms or have recently returned from international travel.
• Consider performing a Rapid Covid-19 test within 48 hours prior to surgery, especially if not fully vaccinated or if you are older than 60, especially if you have medical co-morbidities and are undergoing a larger operation such as knee multiligament reconstruction or tibial and femoral osteotomy.

The Banff Sport Medicine Team

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PREPARING FOR SURGERY

3 Months Before:

If you are taking acne medication:  Research has shown that Accutane (Isotretinoin) which is used to treat acne can interfere with healing after orthopaedic surgery and may be a factor in tissue and graft stretching or failure. To ensure that your surgery is not cancelled please stop taking Accutane at least 1 month prior to your surgery date.  You should not restart Accutane medication for at least 3 months after your surgery.

2 Weeks Before:

Stop taking: Advil, Motrin, and Aspirin as well as all Herbal Supplements, Vitamins, or Minerals for 10-14 days prior to your surgery date. This is important because these medications and supplements can increase your risk of bleeding.

Do not go to the dentist 2 weeks before surgery as this can increase your risk of infection.

1 Week Before (approximately):

A nurse from the hospital will contact you approximately one week prior to your surgery date to give you information regarding your surgery.

Day/Night Before:

Clear fluids ONLY (Gatorade, apple or cranberry juice, water – pulp free, clear) from Midnight (24:00) to 3 hrs prior to arrival to hospital (4 hrs before surgery).

Do not shave your surgical site the day before or the day of your surgery.

You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth but do not swallow any water.

DAY OF SURGERY

• Date and time will be confirmed with you approximately 1 week before your surgery.
• Check-in at the Admitting Desk or Emergency Department of the hospital.
• If required for your surgery, please bring your own crutches to the hospital, clearly marked with your name. The hospital has a VERY limited supply of crutches for sale. The hospital does carry braces for purchase if needed after your surgery.
• You MUST have someone to drive you home from the hospital.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY

• Do not go to the dentist up to 6 weeks after surgery as this can increase your risk of infection.
• Your first Follow up Appointment details (if required) will be included in an email from our office which you will receive on or shortly after the day of your surgery.
• If you have any problems or complications after your surgery please refer to the after surgery section of our website.

Also refer to the Frequency Asked Questions (FAQ) section of our website for a list of commonly asked questions.