Nova Scotia Health Authority

Knee Arthritis and Knee Replacement

Ortho

There are many options to help lower your pain and have a better quality of life when you have knee pain that is often caused by arthritis. Knowing the tools to take charge of your arthritis is key to your success. With a referral from your primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner etc.) the team at the Orthopedic Assessment Clinic (OAC) can help you make a plan to better manage your arthritis and pain.

Orthopedic Assessment Clinic Intake & Arthritis Action Plan
Once the OAC receives a referral from your primary care provider you will be contacted about an intake appointment with a registered nurse and/or physiotherapist. In this appointment the OAC team will complete a medical review and physical assessment to help you make an “Arthritis Action Plan” for your knee.

Your plan may include offering ways that you can manage your arthritis without surgery such as a Conservative Management for hip and knee arthritis, or community based programs in your area.

Knee Replacement Surgery & Pre-Habilitation
Your Arthritis Action Plan may also include seeing an orthopedic surgeon about knee replacement surgery. If you and your surgeon decide that knee replacement surgery is the best plan you will have the option to go to the Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery Pre-Habilitation Program to help you prepare for surgery and recovery.

The Pre-Habilitation program helps you learn the skills to prepare for surgery with a multi-week exercise and education program with a team that may include a registered nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian, social worker and rehab assistant.

Most patients will stay in hospital 1 to 2 days after their surgery. Your surgeon may also talk to you about outpatient knee replacement surgery where you have surgery in the morning and go home in the afternoon/evening after working with the team to make sure you can return home safely.

In the year following your surgery you can expect a follow-up appointment with your surgeon and health care team.

To read more details about what to expect before, during and after knee replacement surgery please click the following link: Knee Replacement Surgery

Nova Scotia Health Authority

Locations and contact information

Central Nova Scotia

Eastern Nova Scotia

Northern Nova Scotia

Western Nova Scotia

Wait times

For primary care providers