Preoperative Planning
Day of Surgery
Postoperative Planning
Research
FAQ
FAQ – Post Op
Physical Therapy
Accommodations Caregiver Options
Billing / Other Entities
Directions & Map

Dr. LaPrade Team Contact Information:

To reach all team members: [email protected]

Amanda Pena – 952.456.7413 or [email protected]

Chris Armstrong – 952.456.7412 or [email protected]

Preoperative Planning

  • A completed Preoperative History & Physical is required prior to undergoing surgery at all surgical facilities along with the Patient Acknowledgment In-Network Benefit Verification form. Please download and work with your PCP to have these forms completed prior to surgery. Your PCP may have their own form or electronic medical record they use for completing your clearance which is also accepted at the facilities. If your clearance is not received 5 business days prior to your scheduled surgery, your surgery will be cancelled for a future date. Completed clearance must be faxed to the surgery center directly at 952.456.7399. If you would like to verify receipt, please call the facility directly.
  • Generally, Dr. LaPrade recommends staying in the Twin Cities area for 5 to 10 days after surgery. This varies depending upon the procedure(s) you undergo. This allows time for our team to monitor your progress, modify medications, and answer all questions. In addition, you will be scheduled for physical therapy daily at Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) – Physical Therapy Department. If you have established care with a physical therapy group outside of TCO, that is perfectly acceptable.
  • You are required to have a responsible party at discharge and he/she must be 18 years of age or older. Please be certain to arrange a responsible party and a ride home to your accommodations the same day of surgery.
  • Discontinue eating and/or drinking after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes no water, coffee, mints or gum. You may brush your teeth on the morning of surgery.
  • Please discontinue any medications prior to your surgery, unless otherwise indicated by your primary care physician.
  • Please avoid all anti-inflammatory NSAIDs (ex. Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) and aspirin 7 days prior to your surgery to reduce chance of excessive bleeding that can occur on these medications. Tylenol can be taken.
  • If you are a smoker, it is highly encouraged to discontinue any tobacco use 6 weeks minimum prior to surgery. Smoking not only increases your risk of infection, but also delays bone growth and soft tissue healing.

Postoperative Planning

  • Dr. LaPrade, along with his clinical team, will meet with you the morning after surgery.  Your first physical therapy (PT) session is scheduled at 7:30 AM at the TCO Eagan PT department (1st Floor 2700 Vikings Circle). This visit is a required postoperative visit to monitor your progress, change your dressing and provide protocol instructions, discuss activities of daily living and obtain post-operative x-rays (if needed). There will be an opportunity to have any further questions answered, although we will be available throughout your recovery process to address your concerns.

Postoperative Instructions

Click To Download

  • Please download and follow the instructions attached below carefully and phone the office with any questions. Call (952) 456-7000 and ask for a member of Dr. LaPrade’s team.

***Low grade fever is expected postoperatively. Please notify us if your fever is 101.5 or higher.

Pulmonary Hygiene Instructions

When should I see Dr. LaPrade again after surgery?

Dr. LaPrade would ideally like to see each of his patients for postoperative office visits with the following timeline below (these are general guidelines and scheduled based on the date of surgery):

  • 1-2 weeks (If you are not able to make this visit, we recommend you follow up with your primary care provider for post-op wound care.)
  • 6-8 weeks (Depending on procedure type.)
  • 3.5 months
  • 6 months
  • 12 months
  • Annually (for osteotomies, meniscal transplants, fresh allografts, and ligament reconstructions)

Amanda will email you with two (2) postoperative visits based on the surgical procedure(s) performed. Please contact centralized scheduling for additional visits and/or changes to the recommended timeframe. TCO Centralized Scheduling Desk at (833) 743-7300 or [email protected]. Dr. LaPrade is available Mondays (Edina) or Wednesdays (Eagan) only.

Pain Medications / Narcotics

Pain medication prescriptions are provided on the day of surgery. If you would like to request a refill on any of these medications, please contact Chris Armstrong PA at 952.456.7413 or via email at [email protected]  Of note, some pain medications require by federal law a written prescription that needs to be picked up from our office and taken to your pharmacy. If you are not within driving distance, we recommend you see your primary care provider or an urgent care clinic for further evaluation.

Game Ready Vasopneumatic Ice Machine

The Game Ready vasopneumatic ice machine is part of comprehensive treatment for patients who have knee surgery. Game Ready is designed and used by athletes post-injury and postoperatively. Our unique and extensive treatment plan starts the day of surgery with Game Ready use the day of surgery. We combine the use of the Game Ready with our customized physical therapy program to guide each patient to recovery.

Please read more about the Game Ready Ice Machine here:  Game Ready

Research:

As part of your care, Dr. LaPrade would like you to complete a health status form prior to surgery and postoperatively. These forms will help measure your overall outcome after surgery. Forms will be emailed to you through a service called OBERD. If you have questions regarding your research forms, please contact our office to be directed to the research department.

Day of Surgery

Surgical Facility Locations

  • Crosstown Surgery Center (Tuesday)– 4010 West 65th Street SUITE 300 Edina MN 55435 (Get directions)
  • Eagan Surgery Center (Thursday) – 2700 Vikings Circle SUITE 300 Eagan MN 55122 (Get directions)
  • Fairview Southdale Hospital MHealth (Tuesday)– 6401 France Avenue South Edina, MN 55435 (Get directions)

Pre-Surgical Planning Nurses

  • Dr. LaPrade performs surgery at both surgery centers and hospital facilities. A presurgical planning nurse will contact you prior to surgery and to review your medical history, if any. They will review bathing, eating, and drinking regimens and answer any other questions you may have.
  • The preoperative liaison, who works for the surgical facility, will answer all questions you have regarding anesthesia. Also, the liaison will contact you prior to surgery and provide you with specific instructions along with check-in time for surgery. Please prepare to be available all day the date you elect to undergo surgery as your check-in time can vary from 5:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Physical Therapy

Surgical Patients:

All surgical patients will attend a 7:30am Physical Therapy (PT) and postoperative rounding visit the day after surgery at Eagan TCO (1st Floor, 2700 Vikings Circle Eagan 55112. Dr. LaPrade and team will meet each patient in physical therapy to provide dressing change instructions, review intraoperative photos (copy will be provided to each patient), and finalize postoperative physical therapy protocol. During this visit, each patient will meet with a physical therapist and begin treatment.

Patient visit frequency is determined by their treating therapist based on how they’re progressing and the recommendations of a HEP. Specific exercises are taught and given to each patient as a HEP with the understanding formal one-on-one treatment is recommended as well. The physical therapy protocol will detail what specific activities you can perform at different time frames during your rehabilitation process. Follow these instructions carefully and DO NOT ADVANCE unless directed so by Dr. LaPrade.

Dr. LaPrade’s team provides orders for all physical therapy sessions that occur at TCO immediately after the surgery. This order is provided to the patient to continue treatment when they return home.

Non-OP Patients:

Patients who are prescribed PT for a non-operative orthopedic diagnosis are given an order for 3-5 times weekly for 3 months. Most often, patients return for follow-up between 4-6 weeks. We encourage progress notes be shared with our team via email at [email protected]. It is explained to the patient, frequency will be decided by the treating therapist depending on the patient’s progress and HEP.

What the patient is provided postoperatively:

Dr. LaPrade’s postoperative patients are all provided with folder(s) from TCO which includes a physical therapy prescription, protocol, and dressing change instructions . Patients are instructed to give the prescription for physical therapy to their local provider. Since some providers require the order be provided prior to scheduling, we tell the patient they may need to schedule in person with the physical order. We also explain, this order for therapy is what will be used, by your physical therapy provider, to fulfill insurance requirements and authorizations for treatment. When scheduling with your local therapist, we recommend you explain you will bring your prescription and protocol to your first session with them. TCO will provide a folder which will include a protocol, exercises, and immediate postoperative orders given to them by Dr. LaPrade. Protocols and orders are extremely important for you to adhere to postoperatively. You or your physical therapist need to follow all provided exercises and protocols closely and you should NEVER advance your protocol without permission from Dr. LaPrade.

We encourage treating therapists to update Dr. LaPrade and team with regular progress reports and plans of care. These can be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 952.456.7948.

Physical Therapists who may have questions regarding specific patient issues, please contact our team at 952.456.7948 or via email [email protected].

For therapists with specific protocol questions, please contact Jill Monson via email at [email protected]. Jill will assist with questions regarding protocols, and/or protocol progression.

To request another physical therapy prescription, please email to [email protected] and include the following:

Patient Full Name:

Date of Birth:

Fax Number of Your Physical Therapy Provider:

Extension of Physical Therapy Benefits:

If a patient’s insurance plan has a physical therapy visit limit, Dr. LaPrade can provide you with a letter to request additional visits. Please request by emailing [email protected]. Please note:

Dr. LaPrade is not the provider of services and cannot request additional visits. As the provider of services, your current physical therapy company should submit this letter with their claims along with any other supporting documentation, coding, and plan of care. Historically, with insurance carriers becoming more stringent, most insurances do not entertain extending this benefits unless you have a plan that does not have a hard limit.

Our office encourages patients to contact their insurance carrier to better understand the benefits they have selected for all services. Often times, a patient has a limit on benefits you may not be aware of and calling to discuss with the carrier and patient is advised. For those patients with any limitations or restrictions to their policy, we ask that they please notify their treating therapist.

Postoperative Testing:

Dr. LaPrade often recommends postoperative testing (TRAC Testing). Please follow the below instructions to schedule testing. We recommend scheduling recommended testing shortly after surgery to ensure you are scheduled during ideal timeframes.  Schedule Postoperative (TRAC) Testing

Functional Sport Test:

  • Patients may be asked to complete a functional sport test prior to being released to full activities and sports following surgery
  • The functional sport test is scheduled through the TCO physical therapy department
  • Testing is typically scheduled in the morning which allows time for a follow-up visit with Dr. LaPrade in the early afternoon. Please keep in mind, Dr. LaPrade is in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays.

To schedule, please email [email protected] & [email protected].

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage all tobacco users to quit 6 weeks prior to surgery. Tobacco use not only increases your risk for infection, but also delays bone growth and soft tissue healing.  It is also highly important to remain tobacco-free for a minimum of 6 months after surgery to increase your chances of success postoperatively.

Twin Cities Orthopedics has a DME department available M-F from 8-5. Your presurgical visit with Dr. LaPrade, the day before surgery, will include time for DME fittings. Please contact Erin Zappa at [email protected] with questions. However, details regarding the duration you are to wear your brace will be discussed at your initial physical therapy visit the morning after your surgery. Any required postoperative braces or crutches will be fitted and provided any time prior to surgery. If you have any issues with your equipment, the DME department will help you with any adjustments you may need.

Physical therapy is started the day after surgery at 7:30 AM in Eagan (TCO Medical Office Building, 1st floor). In general, our practice recommends daily sessions up to the first 10-14 days (including Saturdays) or as long as you are able to stay in the Twin Cities and depending upon the type of surgery you undergo. After this time, your physical therapist will schedule you with 3-5 sessions per week with specific exercises for you to perform daily with your physical therapist at home or with a therapist closer to your home. Your physical therapy protocol will detail what specific activities you can perform at different time frames during your rehab. Follow these instructions carefully and DO NOT ADVANCE or let your physical therapist advance your protocol beyond the normal time frames unless directed  by Dr. LaPrade.

If you are requesting FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act) or Short-Term Disability paperwork to be completed, please email your employer/insurance forms to Chris Armstrong, PA [email protected]. All forms are completed postoperatively as this is when Dr. LaPrade finalizes details and postoperative protocols.

Dr. LaPrade’s team provides orders for all physical therapy sessions that occur at TCO physical therapy department immediately after the surgery.  A prescription will be provided at your postoperative visit along with immediate postoperative orders. Please collect both prescription and protocol from your treating therapist to take to your local physical therapist when you return home. This order prescribes 3-5 sessions weekly for up to a total of 3 months and will be renewed upon your next postoperative visit with our clinic.            

There are multiple methods to help you reduce swelling after your surgery. They include the following:

  • Elevating your affected limb at or above heart level.
  • Ankle pumps (rotating your ankle, as well as, moving your foot up and down).
  • Continuous use of TED hose stockings.
  • Ice Machine – GameReady

Icing is an important part to reducing swelling and pain after your surgery. We recommend using the GameReady ice machine. When icing, we recommend 30 min -1 hour breaks between icing sessions and wearing a protective layer between your skin and the ice machine. A GameReady representative will meet with you in recovery postoperatively. The machine settings will be reviewed and set for you at set-up.  If you have questions regarding rental fees, when to return the machine or any other questions, please feel free to contact the company representative at (763) 486-6902 or (320) 493-9338.

GameReady is the leader in injury treatment and postoperative recovery through active compression and cold technology. Game Ready differs from conventional cold therapy solutions by offering active pneumatic compression from form fitting anatomic wraps. The combination of cold and active compression helps reduce swelling, control edema, and increase blood flow and the delivery of oxygen to injured areas — mimicking the body’s natural contractions to encourage an enhanced healing process.

Read more about Game Ready

Watch Game Ready video

TED hose stockings are essential for preventing lower extremity swelling and decreasing your risk for a DVT (deep vein thrombosis- also known as a blood clot). These stockings are worn on both legs while on crutches for the first 2 weeks as there is still risk of getting a blood clot in the non-surgical leg. You may remove the TED hose on the non-surgical leg at the two week mark; however, the affected limb is to have a stocking until you are full weight-bearing. Stockings may be removed daily to wash and dry; however, be advised that they should be placed back on the lower extremities as quickly as possible.  Additional sets of TED hose may be purchased at the pharmacy.

Dressing changes are a vital part of your post-surgical process. You will be supplied with the needed dressing change materials and provided with hands-on instruction.

  • For the first 2 weeks, change the 4×4 gauze pads at least every other day or if they become wet/soiled. Keep them in place with the tubigrip provided.
  • Do not touch, remove or apply ointment to the steri-strips (tape) that are over the arthroscopic portals or skin incisions. Steri-strips are to remain on the incision sites for 2 weeks. If they fall off before the 2 week time period is up, please reapply them with the extras that you have been given.

At each dressing change, evaluate the incision sites for any purulent drainage (pus), excessive redness, increased warmth or pain. These signs may indicate an infection. Contact a team member immediately if these symptoms occur.

Our surgical team typically uses dissoluble sutures in scope portals and surgical incisions (unless otherwise specified). These require no special care because the sutures are underneath your skin and will dissolve on their own. If you do have an incision, extra suture material may be on the outside of the skin. These sutures will need to be cut at 2 weeks postoperatively which can be done in our office during your follow up visit or at home by a family member/friend. A suture removal kit will be provided upon request. For clear sutures, clip any extra suture at both ends of the incision. The remaining suture under the skin will dissolve.

In order to reduce the risk of infection, it is crucial that you maintain a dry environment for your incisions for the first 2 weeks. We recommend purchasing a shower bag or using a garbage bag and rubber bands to secure a tight fit when showering. Please use the shower bag for 2 weeks until you have your incisions evaluated by a medical provider.  After two weeks, patients may get the incision site briefly wet in the shower but are still advised to avoid soaking in a pool, hot tub or bath for up to a month after the surgical procedure.

Weight bearing status is dependent on both the type of surgery and anesthesia you will undergo.  If you decide to have a nerve block during surgery, you will be automatically placed in a knee immobilizer with non-weight bearing status until the nerve block is removed.  We will discuss your weight bearing limitations during your preoperative visit and again after your surgery. The physical therapists will also help instruct you on the proper use of your crutches to ambulate.

Any orthopedic surgery is a risk factor for developing a blood clot, also known as a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Our team is highly attentive to this risk and proactive at preventing blood clots. In order to decrease the chance of a blood clot, patients are placed on one of two blood thinners depending on their weight bearing status postoperatively. The type of medication you will be placed on will be discussed during your preoperative visit. Please notify our providers if you are on any hormone medications (including birth control) or if you have any personal or family history of blood clots or blood clotting disorders as these also increase your risk for blood clots.

You may be prescribed either aspirin or Lovenox (enoxaparin). patients who will be able to put weight on their affected leg immediately following surgery are given a prescription for aspirin, which is to be taken for four weeks following surgery.  Patients that will not be able to put weight on their affected leg and will be on crutches will be given a prescription for Lovenox, which is to be taken for two weeks after surgery, followed by four weeks of aspirin.

How to self-inject with LOVENOX

Lovenox is an injectable blood thinner which has been shown to be very effective in reducing the risk of blood clots postoperatively.  It is prescribed in preloaded syringes, which are administered by the patient once daily via a very small needle.  The injection is performed in the soft tissue on either side of the patient’s belly button.  This medication is typically very well tolerated, however side effects are occasionally noticed by patients including mild fever, nausea, diarrhea, and bruising at the injection site.

Signs of a blood clot include the following:

  • Severe calf/leg swelling or diffuse redness.
  • Severe calf pain with moving foot up/down or when squeezing the calf.

If these symptoms arise, please contact our office immediately. We will need to order an ultrasound of your leg to rule out a blood clot. Our team is available Monday-Friday 9 am to 4 pm. If you are calling after business hours, please contact our main line at (952) 456-7000 to reach our on-call physician.  NEVER massage calf pain!

*If you develop chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 IMMEDIATELY.

While infection is not common, there is always a risk with any type of surgery.  Contact our office immediately if you develop the following signs:

  • Fever of 101.5 degrees F or higher
  • Purulent drainage (pus), excessive redness or swelling around the incision site(s).

Unless otherwise directed by Dr. LaPrade, all patients are to avoid anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs – such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) after surgery as these delay bone healing and interfere with ligament graft healing. While we provide you pain medication for the first weeks after surgery, we recommend transitioning to Tylenol for pain relief. Tylenol is not to be taken in conjunction with Norco, Vicodin or Percocet because these medications contain the same ingredient (acetaminophen). The maximum daily dosage for Tylenol should not exceed 4000mg (or 4grams) per day as this can cause permanent liver damage.

Our office encourages patients to contact their insurance carrier/provider directly to better understand the benefits they have selected for all services. Often times, your plan may have a limit on benefits you may not be aware of and calling to discuss with your insurance carrier to better understand what will or will not be covered is advised. If you are made aware of any limitations or restrictions on your policy, please notify your treating therapist.

Map

Twin Cities Orthopedics

From Minneapolis Saint Paul Airport

Edina-Crosstown

Eagan-Vikings Lake 

Billing / Other Entities:

Undergoing surgery will initiate several different claims to your insurance carrier for payment. Please contact your insurance provider directly to understand your benefits for surgery. Twin Cities Orthopedics, Surgery Center, and Anesthesia Group will all file claims with your carrier. The contract you have with your insurance provider for deductible, co-insurance/co-pay, and maximum out-of-pocket requirements must be met in order for your insurance to pay your claims. Our office will fulfill approval or authorizations when required.

Twin Cities Orthopedics will bill for Dr. LaPrade’s professional fees and can be reached at by calling our customer service line at 952.512.5625.

Crosstown Surgery Center OR Eagan Orthopedic Surgery Center will bill for surgical facility fees and can be reached by calling 952.456.7100.

Southdale Anesthesiologists will bill for anesthesia services you use the day of surgery and can be reached by calling 763.450.2500.

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