Surgical Patients:
All surgical patients will attend a 7:00am Physical Therapy (PT) and post-operative rounding visit the day after surgery at the Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Eagan-Viking Lakes location (PT clinic – 1st/ground floor). During this visit, the PT team will initiate post-operative physical therapy care and educate the patient and caregiver on the post-operative protocol and early precautions. Patients will also meet with the physician team to change surgical dressings and inspect the incisions, learn about the details of the surgical procedure, and discuss any questions or concerns.
Surgical patients from out of town will attend PT visits 1 time/day throughout the duration of their stay, including Saturdays as needed. There is no PT on Sundays. Patients are welcome to stay in the Twin Cities for early post-operative care up to 2 weeks following the surgery (longer if indicated by MD). The ongoing frequency and duration of physical therapy care following surgery will vary per the details of the surgical procedure(s). Our therapy team will communicate with our patients’ local PT clinics for ongoing care recommendations upon return home. It is important to follow the specific guidelines and restrictions set out by Dr. LaPrade to maximize your post-surgical recovery.
We explain to the patient 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 6-8 weeks and progress reports are expected. It is explained to the patient, frequency will be decided by the treating therapist depending on the patient’s progress and HEP.
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.
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/referral for physical therapy to your 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.
Instructions for Physical Therapy (PT) scheduling after your knee surgery with Dr. LaPrade
PT Provider Communication and Requests:
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.
For those therapists who may have questions, please contact Jill Monson, Dr. LaPrade’s lead therapist, by email at [email protected]. Jill will assist with questions regarding protocols, restrictions, and limitations given by Dr. LaPrade for his postoperative patient.
To request another physical therapy prescription, please email us at [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.
