Division of Sports Medicine

Preparation for your surgery

Once surgery has been agreed upon as a course of action, you will be instructed to contact the surgical coordinators, who will work with you to come up with a surgery date that works for you and your doctor. When surgery is scheduled, an appointment in the Pre-operative Clinic (Pre-op)  may also be necessary.

Pre-op Clinic

The Pre-op Clinic is the first stop for patients scheduled for surgery or other procedures performed under anesthesia. A pre-anesthetic evaluation gives the anesthesiologist an opportunity to review the patient's medical history and create a plan of care for during and after surgery.

During your visit you will receive information about your or your child's surgery, including when to stop eating, what time to arrive at the hospital, what will happen during surgery, how long you or your child will have to stay in the hospital and other instructions. This is the opportunity to ask our preoperative nurse practitioners and doctors any questions about anesthesia or the surgical process.

Pre-op evaluations can include:

• Anesthesia consult
• History and physical
• Orthopedic assessment
• Discussion of medical issues that require special attention, such as asthma, epilepsy or heart problems
• Blood tests if needed (though normally not required)
• Discussion of drug and food allergies
   

Diet instructions

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening before surgery. Do not take aspirin for seven days prior to the procedure. If you take aspirin for a heart condition, please check with your primary care physician before discontinuing it.

What to bring

If you will need to use crutches after surgery and you have a pair at home, please bring them with you on the day of surgery. If you have any MRIs, X-rays or other relevant scans, please bring them with you on the day of surgery and give them to the doctor. They will be returned to you after surgery.

Patients younger than 18 years old

If the patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian with identification must accompany him or her. Proof of identification must be presented at the admitting office.

Going home after day surgery

After an outpatient surgery, patients will not be allowed to leave the hospital by themselves, and must be accompanied by an escort or parent.

Questions?

Please contact our surgical schedulers with any questions.
Phone: 617-355-8931
Fax: 617-730-0290
Email: sportsmed.surgery@childrens.harvard.edu

Tests and procedures

Bone Scan

CT Scan

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Arthrogram

X-Ray

Do I need a referral to see a doctor in the Division of Sports Medicine?

The following insurance companies require referrals:

How do I get a referral?

Harvard Pilgrim: This insurance company typically provides two or three visit referrals at a time, which are valid for either six months or a year. You must know the number of visits allowed per referral and the duration of the referral.

Health Flex Blue, HMO Blue, Blue Choice: Referrals are given in series of 3 visits, the first of which must take place within 60 days of the initial referral and the two remaining visits within 90 days of the initial service date.

Tufts: Referrals are given in various allotments and are usually valid for one year in duration. You must know the number of visits allowed per referral.

What if I don't have a referral?

Patients seen without a referral are subject to full payment at time of visit. We will reimburse you once we receive payment from your insurance company. Patients will be charged as "self-pay" if referrals are not received or if insurance information is incomplete.

When is payment due?

Co-payments are due at the time of each visit. Please check your insurance card or your plan information for the amount due. Co-payments are payable in cash or check. We also accept MasterCard and Visa.

Questions?

For questions about referrals or referral authorization codes, please contact Barbara Murphy.
Phone: 617-218-1329
Fax: 781-216-1101