Patient Information
What to expect on your treatment journey
Dr. Young believes in the importance of compassionate patient care. He understands that undergoing surgery can be an anxious time, and he prioritises clear and effective communication with his patients. By fostering a supportive and empathetic environment, Dr. Young ensures that patients feel comfortable and well-informed throughout their treatment journey. Here are some things you might expect on you road to recovery.
INITIAL VISIT
Any healthcare provider such as your General Practitioner or Physiotherapist can refer you to see Dr. Young. Once a referral has been received our clinic can then schedule you the next available appointment.
Please bring details of where any scans or x-rays have been performed. If they were done in the Auckland region, we can usually access the images online, so you do not need to bring the actual images with you.
Simon will see you and discuss your current problem; he will also examine your knee or shoulder. Sometimes further tests such as CT or MRI scans may be required to make the correct diagnosis.
From here, a treatment plan will be discussed with you, which often involves surgical and non-surgical options. The benefits and any potential risks of treatment will be outlined.
Patients are seen at Axis Sports Medicine on the North Shore.
SURGERY
If surgery is required, you will be provided with a pre-operative pack that will contain questionnaires and instructions for the day of surgery. If further pre-operative checks are needed, the hospital will contact you for review in a pre-operative clinic. Occasionally further tests by the anaesthetist or other specialist doctors, such as cardiologists, may also be required.
On the day of surgery, you will be checked in at reception and the nursing staff will complete your admission. You will be changed into hospital clothes and escorted through to the pre-operative area. Simon and his anaesthetist will see you and go over the surgical plan again. Your support person can accompany you through to this area but cannot come through into the operating room itself.
The anaesthetist will discuss options with you. Typically a general anaesthetic (going to sleep) is performed, with other options such as a local anaesthetic nerve block or a spinal anaesthetic used as required. Please let us know if you have any particular concerns about your anaesthetic and we can ensure these are addressed.
Simon operates at Southern Cross Hospital North Harbour and North Shore Surgical Centre
POST-OP
You will wake following surgery in the recovery area. The goal of modern anaesthetic techniques is for you to wake up with little, to no pain.
After many arthroscopic procedures, including ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff repair, you will be discharged home the same day. If you need to stay overnight, you will be transferred to the ward. You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital and stay with you for the first night after surgery.
At the time of discharge from hospital you will be given details of your rehabilitation plan, work certificates, and instructions for any exercises to do at home. Copies of your operation notes and a rehabilitation plan will be sent directly to your physiotherapist.
A follow-up appointment will be made and you will be advised of the time.
Further information about post-op care following your procedure download our or for common post-operative questions, see our FAQs page.