My route
Three questions show what to read and what to do in the coming weeks.
Author: Bagrat DzhavakhyanTreatment navigator, portal author
Not yet reviewed by a physicianSources: Russian Ministry of Health guidelines 2024, NHS, AAOS[1, 3, 5]1Клинические рекомендации «Гонартроз» — Минздрав России, 20243Knee replacement — NHS, 20245Total Knee Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 2024To the list of sources →
Your route appears here after the third answer.
Route: knee, surgery not suggested
The main thing now
Book an orthopaedic surgeon if pain disturbs your sleep, walking or everyday tasks. Take the memo to the appointment.Suggest an orthopaedic appointment and help put together the memo: what hurts, when and after what.
Put together the appointment memoRead how osteoarthritis develops and how it is found on examination and X-ray.Read how osteoarthritis develops, so the doctor’s explanations are easier to follow.
What is happening to the jointSee where treatment without surgery starts: exercise, weight, courses of pain relief.See where treatment without surgery starts, and talk it over together.
Treatment without surgery
Payment
On the state-funded route, a GP at the local clinic usually refers you to an orthopaedic surgeon. State-funded care and quotas
Private clinics book orthopaedic appointments directly. Ask the price of the visit and X-rays in advance.
The state-funded and paid routes differ in waiting times and the choice of clinic. State-funded care and quotas
Why these steps are suggested
An orthopaedic surgeon finds the cause of pain from an examination and X-rays. Osteoarthritis treatment starts without surgery: exercise and less load on the joint. [1, 7]1Клинические рекомендации «Гонартроз» — Минздрав России, 20247Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) — NICE, 2022To the list of sources →
Route: knee, a doctor has suggested surgery
The main thing now
Tick what applies to you in the list of questions and take the result to the surgeon.Go through the list of questions together and take the result to the appointment.
Open the questions to ask yourselfCollect your questions for the surgeon in the memo and print it.Go to the appointment together. Collect the questions in the memo beforehand.
Appointment memoSee step by step what is replaced in the knee and what the implant is made of. It makes talking to the surgeon easier.See together, step by step, what is replaced in the knee and what the implant is made of.
How the operation works
Payment
Find out whether surgery can be state-funded and how long the wait usually is. State-funded care and quotas
Ask the clinic for a written estimate: what the price includes. What it costs and what is included
Compare the state-funded route and paid surgery before deciding. What it costs and what is included
Why these steps are suggested
Surgery is discussed when pain and limits remain despite treatment without surgery. The decision is made with the surgeon, so it helps to collect questions beforehand. [1, 3, 4, 5, 8]1Клинические рекомендации «Гонартроз» — Минздрав России, 20243Knee replacement — NHS, 20244Hip replacement — NHS, 20245Total Knee Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 20248ACR/AAHKS guideline for the optimal timing of elective hip or knee arthroplasty — American College of Rheumatology / AAHKS, 2023To the list of sources →
Route: knee, preparing for surgery
The main thing now
Complete the tests your doctor orders: blood tests, ECG, a dental check. Discuss your medicines with the doctor.Help your family member complete the tests: blood tests, ECG, a dental check. Discuss medicines with the doctor.
How to prepare for surgerySee step by step how the day of surgery usually goes and what will be fitted in the knee.See together, step by step, how the day of surgery usually goes and what will be fitted in the knee.
How the operation worksArrange who collects you from hospital and helps at home for the first weeks. Discharge is usually on day 4–10.Decide who collects your family member from hospital and helps at home. Discharge is usually on day 4–10.
The first weeks after discharge
Payment
Check the documents for state funding against the list.Check the documents for state funding against the list together. Documents
Check what the clinic price includes: implant, hospital stay, tests, rehabilitation.Check together what the clinic price includes: implant, hospital stay, tests, rehabilitation. What it costs and what is included
Documents and timing depend on how surgery is paid for. See how the state-funded route works. State-funded care and quotas
Why these steps are suggested
Before planned surgery the doctor orders tests and checks for sources of infection, including teeth. A prepared home makes the first weeks after discharge easier. [3, 5, 14]3Knee replacement — NHS, 20245Total Knee Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 202414Эндопротезирование сустава в России: сроки госпитализации и стоимость — russianhospitals.ru, 2026To the list of sources →
Route: knee, surgery has happened
The main thing now
Do the exercises every day, following the plan from your discharge papers. If something hurts more, ask the doctor.Remind them about the exercises: they are done every day, following the discharge plan.
Recovery planPrint the urgent signs and put the list somewhere visible.Learn the urgent signs. Put the list somewhere visible.
When to seek urgent careCollect questions for the follow-up visit in the memo: bending, swelling, when you can drive.Collect questions for the follow-up visit together: bending, swelling, when driving is allowed.
Appointment memo
Payment
At discharge, ask how to continue rehabilitation on the state-funded route and which documents you need.At discharge, ask how your family member can continue state-funded rehabilitation and which documents are needed.
Check with the clinic whether the follow-up visit and rehabilitation are included in the price.
At discharge, ask where to continue rehabilitation and what it takes.
Why these steps are suggested
In the first weeks recovery rests on daily exercise. Signs of infection or a blood clot need urgent help without waiting for the follow-up visit. [3, 9]3Knee replacement — NHS, 20249Total Knee Replacement Exercise Guide — AAOS OrthoInfo, 2024To the list of sources →
Route: hip, surgery not suggested
The main thing now
Book an orthopaedic surgeon if pain disturbs your sleep, walking or everyday tasks. Take the memo to the appointment.Suggest an orthopaedic appointment and help put together the memo: what hurts, when and after what.
Put together the appointment memoRead how osteoarthritis develops and how it is found on examination and X-ray.Read how osteoarthritis develops, so the doctor’s explanations are easier to follow.
What is happening to the jointSee where treatment without surgery starts: exercise, weight, courses of pain relief.See where treatment without surgery starts, and talk it over together.
Treatment without surgery
Payment
On the state-funded route, a GP at the local clinic usually refers you to an orthopaedic surgeon. State-funded care and quotas
Private clinics book orthopaedic appointments directly. Ask the price of the visit and X-rays in advance.
The state-funded and paid routes differ in waiting times and the choice of clinic. State-funded care and quotas
Why these steps are suggested
An orthopaedic surgeon finds the cause of pain from an examination and X-rays. Osteoarthritis treatment starts without surgery: exercise and less load on the joint. [2, 7]2Клинические рекомендации «Коксартроз» (ID 870_1) — Минздрав России, 20247Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) — NICE, 2022To the list of sources →
Route: hip, a doctor has suggested surgery
The main thing now
Tick what applies to you in the list of questions and take the result to the surgeon.Go through the list of questions together and take the result to the appointment.
Open the questions to ask yourselfCollect your questions for the surgeon in the memo and print it.Go to the appointment together. Collect the questions in the memo beforehand.
Appointment memoSee step by step how the day of surgery usually goes. The scenes use the knee as the example.See together, step by step, how the day of surgery usually goes. The scenes use the knee as the example.
How the operation works
Payment
Find out whether surgery can be state-funded and how long the wait usually is. State-funded care and quotas
Ask the clinic for a written estimate: what the price includes. What it costs and what is included
Compare the state-funded route and paid surgery before deciding. What it costs and what is included
Why these steps are suggested
Surgery is discussed when pain and limits remain despite treatment without surgery. The decision is made with the surgeon, so it helps to collect questions beforehand. [2, 3, 4, 6, 8]2Клинические рекомендации «Коксартроз» (ID 870_1) — Минздрав России, 20243Knee replacement — NHS, 20244Hip replacement — NHS, 20246Total Hip Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 20248ACR/AAHKS guideline for the optimal timing of elective hip or knee arthroplasty — American College of Rheumatology / AAHKS, 2023To the list of sources →
Route: hip, preparing for surgery
The main thing now
Complete the tests your doctor orders: blood tests, ECG, a dental check. Discuss your medicines with the doctor.Help your family member complete the tests: blood tests, ECG, a dental check. Discuss medicines with the doctor.
How to prepare for surgerySee step by step how the day of surgery usually goes. The scenes use the knee as the example.See together, step by step, how the day of surgery usually goes. The scenes use the knee as the example.
How the operation worksArrange who collects you from hospital and helps at home for the first weeks. Discharge is usually on day 4–10.Decide who collects your family member from hospital and helps at home. Discharge is usually on day 4–10.
The first weeks after discharge
Payment
Check the documents for state funding against the list.Check the documents for state funding against the list together. Documents
Check what the clinic price includes: implant, hospital stay, tests, rehabilitation.Check together what the clinic price includes: implant, hospital stay, tests, rehabilitation. What it costs and what is included
Documents and timing depend on how surgery is paid for. See how the state-funded route works. State-funded care and quotas
Why these steps are suggested
Before planned surgery the doctor orders tests and checks for sources of infection, including teeth. A prepared home makes the first weeks after discharge easier. [2, 4, 6, 14]2Клинические рекомендации «Коксартроз» (ID 870_1) — Минздрав России, 20244Hip replacement — NHS, 20246Total Hip Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 202414Эндопротезирование сустава в России: сроки госпитализации и стоимость — russianhospitals.ru, 2026To the list of sources →
Route: hip, surgery has happened
The main thing now
Do the exercises every day, following the plan from your discharge papers. If something hurts more, ask the doctor.Remind them about the exercises: they are done every day, following the discharge plan.
Recovery planPrint the urgent signs and put the list somewhere visible.Learn the urgent signs. Put the list somewhere visible.
When to seek urgent careAsk the surgeon whether the 90° rule applies to you: it depends on the approach. Write the question in the memo.Ask the surgeon whether the 90° rule applies to your family member: it depends on the approach.
Appointment memo
Payment
At discharge, ask how to continue rehabilitation on the state-funded route and which documents you need.At discharge, ask how your family member can continue state-funded rehabilitation and which documents are needed.
Check with the clinic whether the follow-up visit and rehabilitation are included in the price.
At discharge, ask where to continue rehabilitation and what it takes.
Why these steps are suggested
In the first weeks recovery rests on daily exercise. Signs of infection or a blood clot need urgent help without waiting for the follow-up visit. [4, 10, 13]4Hip replacement — NHS, 202410Total Hip Replacement Exercise Guide — AAOS OrthoInfo, 202413Surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty: a review of the anatomy (direct lateral / Hardinge, anterolateral, posterior, direct anterior) — PMC, 2015To the list of sources →
Route: joint not known yet, surgery not suggested
The main thing now
Book an orthopaedic surgeon if pain disturbs your sleep, walking or everyday tasks. Take the memo to the appointment.Suggest an orthopaedic appointment and help put together the memo: what hurts, when and after what.
Put together the appointment memoRead how osteoarthritis develops and how it is found on examination and X-ray.Read how osteoarthritis develops, so the doctor’s explanations are easier to follow.
What is happening to the jointSee where treatment without surgery starts: exercise, weight, courses of pain relief.See where treatment without surgery starts, and talk it over together.
Treatment without surgery
Payment
On the state-funded route, a GP at the local clinic usually refers you to an orthopaedic surgeon. State-funded care and quotas
Private clinics book orthopaedic appointments directly. Ask the price of the visit and X-rays in advance.
The state-funded and paid routes differ in waiting times and the choice of clinic. State-funded care and quotas
Why these steps are suggested
An orthopaedic surgeon finds the cause of pain from an examination and X-rays. Osteoarthritis treatment starts without surgery: exercise and less load on the joint. [7]7Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) — NICE, 2022To the list of sources →
Route: joint not known yet, a doctor has suggested surgery
The main thing now
Ask the doctor which joint they suggest operating on and why. Write the questions in the memo.Check with your family member which joint the doctor suggests operating on and why. Write the questions down.
Collect questions for the doctorRead when surgery is discussed and which joint operations exist.Read together when surgery is discussed and which joint operations exist.
Deciding about surgerySee how the knee and hip work and what happens to them in osteoarthritis.See how the knee and hip work, so the doctor’s explanations are easier to follow.
How a joint works
Payment
Find out whether surgery can be state-funded and how long the wait usually is. State-funded care and quotas
Ask the clinic for a written estimate: what the price includes.
Compare the state-funded route and paid surgery before deciding. What it costs and what is included
Why these steps are suggested
Surgery is discussed when pain and limits remain despite treatment without surgery. The decision is made with the surgeon, so it helps to collect questions beforehand. [7, 8]7Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) — NICE, 20228ACR/AAHKS guideline for the optimal timing of elective hip or knee arthroplasty — American College of Rheumatology / AAHKS, 2023To the list of sources →
Route: joint not known yet, preparing for surgery
Preparation and recovery depend on the joint. If you know which joint will be or was operated on, choose it. Choose the joint
The main thing now
Ask the surgeon which joint will be operated on: preparation depends on it. Write your questions in the memo.Check with the surgeon which joint will be operated on. Write the questions in the memo.
Collect questions for the surgeonComplete the tests your doctor orders and prepare your home: grab rails, a high chair, no rugs in the way.Help with the tests and prepare the home: grab rails, a high chair, no rugs in the way.
The whole path, stage by stageIf it is unclear where to go and which documents you need, a navigator can help. This is not a medical consultation.
Route navigator
Payment
Check the documents for state funding against the list.Check the documents for state funding against the list together. Documents
Check what the clinic price includes: implant, hospital stay, tests, rehabilitation.Check together what the clinic price includes: implant, hospital stay, tests, rehabilitation.
Documents and timing depend on how surgery is paid for. See how the state-funded route works. State-funded care and quotas
Why these steps are suggested
Before planned surgery the doctor orders tests and checks for sources of infection, including teeth. A prepared home makes the first weeks after discharge easier. [3, 4, 5, 6]3Knee replacement — NHS, 20244Hip replacement — NHS, 20245Total Knee Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 20246Total Hip Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 2024To the list of sources →
Route: joint not known yet, surgery has happened
Preparation and recovery depend on the joint. If you know which joint will be or was operated on, choose it. Choose the joint
The main thing now
Do the exercises from your discharge plan. If something in the plan is unclear, call the ward.Help your family member follow the exercise plan from discharge. Check anything unclear with the ward.
What usually happens after surgeryCheck the discharge papers for the operated joint and the follow-up date. Write your questions in the memo.Find the operated joint and the follow-up date in the discharge papers. Write the questions in the memo.
Appointment memoIf it is unclear where to go and which documents you need, a navigator can help. This is not a medical consultation.
Route navigator
Payment
At discharge, ask how to continue rehabilitation on the state-funded route and which documents you need.At discharge, ask how your family member can continue state-funded rehabilitation and which documents are needed.
Check with the clinic whether the follow-up visit and rehabilitation are included in the price.
At discharge, ask where to continue rehabilitation and what it takes.
Why these steps are suggested
In the first weeks recovery rests on daily exercise. Signs of infection or a blood clot need urgent help without waiting for the follow-up visit. [3, 4]3Knee replacement — NHS, 20244Hip replacement — NHS, 2024To the list of sources →
How the route is put together
- What it is based on
- The steps come from the 2024 Russian Ministry of Health clinical guidelines, NHS and NICE guidance and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]1Клинические рекомендации «Гонартроз» — Минздрав России, 20242Клинические рекомендации «Коксартроз» (ID 870_1) — Минздрав России, 20243Knee replacement — NHS, 20244Hip replacement — NHS, 20245Total Knee Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 20246Total Hip Replacement — AAOS OrthoInfo, 20247Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) — NICE, 20228ACR/AAHKS guideline for the optimal timing of elective hip or knee arthroplasty — American College of Rheumatology / AAHKS, 2023To the list of sources →. Exercises after surgery follow the Academy’s guides [9, 10]9Total Knee Replacement Exercise Guide — AAOS OrthoInfo, 202410Total Hip Replacement Exercise Guide — AAOS OrthoInfo, 2024To the list of sources →, surgical options follow registries and reviews [11, 12, 13]11Adverse outcomes after total and unicompartmental knee replacement in 101 330 matched patients: a study of data from the National Joint Registry for England and Wales — The Lancet, 201412Direct anterior versus posterior approach in total hip arthroplasty: systematic review and meta-analysis — Frontiers in Surgery, 202513Surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty: a review of the anatomy (direct lateral / Hardinge, anterolateral, posterior, direct anterior) — PMC, 2015To the list of sources →, and the discharge timing follows Russian hospital data [14]14Эндопротезирование сустава в России: сроки госпитализации и стоимость — russianhospitals.ru, 2026To the list of sources →.
- What it takes into account
- Only your answers: who the information is for, which joint, where things are with surgery and how it is paid for. We do not see scans, tests or a diagnosis.
- If no answer fits
- Choose the closest one. The route rebuilds at once, and your answers stay on this device.
A guide, not a diagnosis. You decide about surgery together with your doctor.