This form only needs to be filled out if you or the patient is over 50 years of age.
Please note that Medicare and many private insurance companies are now requiring more extensive documentation of the patient's symptoms, condition, and treatment prior to the consideration of total joint replacement. They require specific and extensive non-operative treatment trials prior to approving surgery for total joint replacement. The following symptoms and conditions must be documented for consideration of total joint replacement:
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Pain at the joint involved
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Pain increased with activity
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Pain increased with weight bearing
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Pain that interferes with activities of daily living
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Pain with passive range of motion
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Limited range of joint motion
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Joint grinding or noise (if knee)
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Joint swelling (if knee)
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Limping gait (if hip)
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X-ray findings consistent with degenerative joint disease
Specifically, the pre-surgery treatment trials include:
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Continued pain symptoms after trial of medication
greater than 4 weeks
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Trial of physical therapy (unless patient unable to tolerate)
greater than 12 weeks
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Trial of external joint support (cane, walker, brace)
greater than 12 weeks
The Physicians of Orthopedic Associates will strive to relieve your pain and improve your function with the least invasive treatment required. Often, arthritic pain can be controlled or mitigated with a variety of non-operative treatments. Unfortunately, many non-operative treatments for arthritis often have diminishing returns and eventually cease to be effective. At that time, total joint replacement can become the treatment of choice, offering a proven durable solution in resolving arthritic pain and improving function.
Please be thoughtful and detailed in your completion of these forms. They will aid in determining the best treatment of your knee or hip problem. Thank you for your assistance.