Frequently Asked Questions/Insurance Information

Three Rivers Orthopedic Associates participates in many insurance plans. We accept the following plans, but encourage you to contact your insurance provider to review your benefits.

Commercial

• Aetna
• Cigna Health Care
• Health America/Health Assurance
• Highmark (with exceptions)
• United Healthcare
• UPMC Health Plan

Medicare

• Aetna
• Gateway Health Plan
• Health America/Health Assurance
• Highmark (with exceptions)
• Medicare CMS
• UPMC Health Plan

If you have any questions about insurance, please contact the UPMC Physician Services Division Central Billing Office at 1-800-854-1745.

Your surgeon will give you an estimate of the duration of your procedure. Most operations can be done in one to three hours, but some take more time. You will go to the recovery room after your surgery, where you will spend between two and three hours before going to the orthopaedic unit. If you had a MIS total hip or MIS total knee done, you will go to the pre-op area for your first physical therapy session after you have recovered from anesthesia. You will then be transported to the orthopaedic unit.

Some drainage is normal after surgery. Foot surgery tends to have more drainage.  Please call the office if you are experiencing excessive bleeding.

Do not remove the entire dressing unless otherwise instructed by your physician or nurse.  You may re-wrap or change your outer ace wrap only if it is loose or to replace a soiled wrap if you are having any increase in drainage.

Pain is to be expected and is normal after surgery.  Pain varies with each patient.  Using ice, elevation and pain medication as prescribed will help ease the pain you may be experiencing.  If your pain is not being controlled by these measures, please call the office.

The operation you had will determine if an assistive device is necessary.

Your surgeon will discuss activities with you that are compatible with the type of surgery you had and let you know when you can safely resume those activities. In general, low impact physical activities are acceptable. These activities include swimming, golfing, dancing, hiking, bowling and gardening. Patients who have had joint replacements should avoid most high-impact activities like tennis, running, basketball and skiing. Please be sure to check with your orthopaedic surgeon before starting any physical activities or exercise programs.

It is impossible to predict how long a joint replacement will last for any patient. However, recent studies suggest that patients who have had modern total joint replacements have remained satisfied for many years.

This will be discussed during your initial follow-up visit with your surgeon, which usually is between two and three weeks after your surgery.