Steps to Becoming Part of the Program

1. Call Cynthia Riepling, R.N., at 650-853-6740 to schedule an appointment and request information. If you are not yet registered with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), you will need to call the registration line at 650-853-2026 before scheduling an appointment. (Have your insurance information available.)
   
2. Bring any recent, previously taken X-rays or bone density exams to your first appointment. Your surgeon may require more tests to determine whether or not you are a candidate for hip resurfacing.
   
3. Once you have been told you are a candidate for hip resurfacing, you may schedule surgery with Dr. Hartford’s nurse, Nancy, or Dr. Lannin’s nurse, Tuyet.
   
4. In preparation for surgery, you may consider attending one of three classes:
   
   • Dr. Hartford’s Total Joint Replacement Class: Held the first Friday of every month at PAMF.
     
   • Stanford’s Total Hip Class: Held the first Wednesday of every month at Stanford University Hospital.
     
   • Gait Training Class: Held every other Wednesday at PAMF's Physical Therapy Department.
   If you are interested in attending any of these classes, please call Cynthia Riepling, R.N., at 650-853-6740.
5. Prior to your surgery, you will need to have a preoperative exam with your primary care physician within 30 days of surgery, at which time you will also need to have blood tests done and an EKG.
   
6. Once you have been cleared for surgery by your primary care physician, the next step is to prepare for your hospital stay. A typical hospital stay for hip resurfacing patients is two to three days. You will need to pack comfortable, easy to slip on shoes with backing and comfortable clothes to wear during physical therapy sessions.
   
7. After your hospitalization, most hip resurfacing patients go home with home physical therapy for one to two weeks. We will schedule a follow-up appointment with you seven to 10 days from the date of surgery to do a postoperative exam and make sure the incision is healing properly.
   
8. Most people return to work after about two to three weeks. We will see you back at the Center in four to six weeks after surgery, at which time we will take X-rays to check progress. We will then see you again at your surgeon’s request.
   
   
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