New Patients

Please bring the following to your appointment:

  • Your insurance card and other health coverage information
  • Some insurance carriers require a referral from your primary care physician before you can be seen by a specialist; if in doubt, please check with your primary care physician.
  • Bring your actual X-Rays, MRI’s and other relevant test results.
  • Records from prior treatment if you have been managed by others  for the same condition.

Emergencies & Prescriptions

Shaws Cove Orthopaedics provides 24-hour coverage for the orthopaedic  emergencies of our patients. If you have an emergency, there is always a provider who can be reached by dialing our main number 860.444.9022. If you call after office hours, you will be transferred to our answering service and they will have the on-call person return your call. This may not be your usual provider/physician so please be prepared to answer some health history questions from that provider if necessary.

For patients with questions regarding medications or prescriptions, we encourage you to call the main office number during regular office hours. For prescription refills, please call no later than 4:00 pm Thursday to have them called in before the weekend. If you need a prescription called in after regular office hours, please leave the pharmacy number and your date of birth for the on-call provider.

Cast Care Instructions

If you had a cast applied in the emergency room or clinic it was likely a fiberglass cast. This material is lighter and stronger than plaster and hardens very quickly. If you were placed in a temporary cast (splint) in the emergency room, please do not remove this until you are evaluated in the office.

Please alert us if you have any of the following problems with your cast or splint:

  • Extreme pain which is not relieve with use of pain medication as prescribed.
  • Any sensations of rubbing you may experience under your cast.
  • Excessive tightness of the cast which is not relieved by elevating the extremity for 30 minutes.
  • Sensations of numbness, tingling, coldness or discoloration of the extremity as this may indicate circulatory problems.
  • Breakage of your cast. Please do not ever try to remove your cast on your own.
  • Report significant wetness of the cast, as it may have to be changed.

Helpful Hints:

  • Be kind to your cast, keep it clean and dry.
  • When showering, wrap a hand towel around the top and cover the cast completely with a plastic bag. • Commercial cast protectors are available at your local medical supply store.
  • Do not ever put anything in or down your cast. If you scratch your skin you may cause an infection.
  • Elevate the affected extremity above the level of your heart for the first few days after the cast is applied. This will reduce swelling and pain.
  • Feel free to exercise your fingers and toes while in the cast. This will improve circulation and reduce stiffness of joints.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at (860) 444-9022.

Pre-Operative Information

The following are a few helpful hints which will hopefully make your surgical experience a more pleasant one.

  • You will learn of the time of your surgery 24 to 48 hours before your surgery. This is out of our control. You should receive a call from the hospital or surgery center. If you do not, please call the hospital at (860) 444-5150 between 1pm and 3pm the day before your scheduled surgery day to confirm the time.
  • You will need transportation to and from the hospital, no exceptions. You will enter the hospital through the Faire Harbor entrance (near the emergency department). Look for the Ambulatory Surgery Center and ask the help desk inside the door. Constitution Surgery Center East is located at 140 Crossroad, Waterford, CT 06385, (860) 701-0140.
  • It is vital that you do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the day of surgery. This is for your safety while under anesthesia. If you do eat or drink anything, your surgery will be cancelled. The only exception is that you should take any regular medications you’re told to take with a small sip of water only.
  • You will be provided with a set of postoperative instructions before leaving the hospital.
  • If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call the office (860) 444-9022.
  • If you suspect any infection, you should be seen promptly by your physician and treated.

Infection precautions for Total Joints

If you have had a total joint replacement, certain precautions must be taken to reduce the chance that infection develops in the bone or around the implant. These precautions should be followed for the rest of your lifetime. ALL patients having had total joint replacement who undergo any dental procedure should discuss the possible need for prophylaxis with their physician.

Patients who will have genito-urinary manipulations or instrumentation (cystoscopy, TURP, etc.), gastrointestinal or biliary surgery, or any gynecological procedures:

  • Advise your doctor that you have had a prosthesis inserted and that you need to have antibiotic prophylaxis (protection).
  • If you need to have a skin abscess (boil or furuncle) drained or have a skin infection:
    Advise your doctor that you have had a prosthesis inserted and that you need to have antibiotic prophylaxis.
  • If you suspect any infection, you should be seen promptly by your physician and treated.