Frequently Asked Questions about Orthopaedic Surgery

Patients, especially those being seen for the first time, are asked to arrive early to complete necessary registration information, provide or update your health insurance information, update email addresses and contact information, as well as make co-payments, catalog images, etc. Although our registration process is electronic, our patient care representatives carefully review and update your information as needed, schedule appointments and provide instructions for our Patient Portal, among other things. Attending to each patient takes time so by arriving early you can complete the registration process without being late for your appointment.

Hinsdale Orthopaedics’ MyChart is a patient portal site on the practice website that gives you direct online access to information from your electronic medical record. To obtain access to the site, just ask one of the patient service representatives to enroll you. Once you receive a login, you will be able to view your current medications, allergies, problems and demographics, as well as send messages, request medical records and request appointments – all online. However, MyChart is not a replacement for the interpersonal contact that is the very basis of the patient-healthcare provider/team relationship; rather it can support and strengthen an already established relationship with Dr. Chudik, his team and Hinsdale Orthopaedics.

Please bring a valid state ID such as a drivers’ license or state identity card and your current/active insurance card.

Dr. Chudik is a renowned, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine physician fellowship trained in shoulder surgeryand sports medicine. He specializes in shoulder and knee injuries and sports injuries on all parts of the body. If, however, Dr. Chudik feels you need to see a specialist for another body part injury, he will refer you to ensure you receive the highest level of care.

Yes, if you want them. Dr. Chudik asks you to bring the actual images and not just the radiologist’s repoknrt because he prefers to view the actual images with you to ensure the films are properly read and the correct diagnosis is made. During your appointment, Dr. Chudik will review your images with you and discuss his findings. He may want you to have additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan. However, if surgery is required, Dr. Chudik will keep your images and refer to them during your procedure. If surgery is not necessary, your images will be returned to you at the conclusion of your appointment. However, please bring the images with you for all future appointments pertaining to the same problem for which the images were taken.

Dr. Chudik personally views each patient’s diagnostic study (MRI, CT, etc) while considering specific symptoms and physical exam findings to ensure the films are properly interpreted and the correct diagnosis in made and proper treatment is prescribed. At your test results appointment, Dr. Chudik reviews the image(s) with you and explains the report and his findings in easy to understand and non-technical language. During this time, he also reviews your history and physical exam to correlate them with the MRI findings. He presents a treatment plan based on your specific mobility goals and expectations and answers any questions or concerns you might have. This is a very important appointment that educates you about your condition, treatment options and expected outcomes in order to help you make a well-informed decision that can affect the rest of your life.

Possibly. Depending upon your injury, the clarity of the diagnostic image that was taken, the type of image taken, the amount of time that has elapsed since the image was taken and Dr. Chudik’s preliminary findings, you may need to have additional diagnostic images taken.

X-ray imaging is available at Dr. Chudik’s office. Unfortunately, X-rays taken at other locations such as hospitals, emergency or urgent care centers are often not of proper diagnostic quality because the the proper orthopaedic views are not taken. MRIs also are available at hospitals, some freestanding imaging locations and at specialist’s offices such as Hinsdale Orthopaedics. However, not all diagnostic imaging is created equally. Dr. Chudik recommends getting a closed high-resolution MRI from a high-field machine to provide the best possible image for an accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, Hinsdale Orthopaedics partners with fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists and through ongoing discussions and surgical feedback, our team of orthopaedic and radiologic specialists continue to develop injury specific MRI protocols to obtain the best images possible. Hinsdale Orthopaedics has two MRI suites–one in Westmon,t one in New Lenox–with convenient evening and Saturday appointments. Both offices have a high-field, open bore MRI that produces superior images in a comfortable, patient-centered environment.

You are not alone. Many people for whatever reason have difficulty with closed in areas. There are several options you can try including a mild sedative prescribed by your primary care physician or Dr. Chudik. The type of MRI also can be a factor. Hinsdale Orthopedics’ MRIs are a newer technology that have a much larger opening (bore diameter) so there is more room between you and the machine. Plus, the open bore technology provides a better resolution than an “open MRI” because it is able to image a full 360 degrees at a high resolution. It is also more comfortable for large-framed individuals. If none of those options work, there may be other diagnostic options available.

Dr. Chudik strives to have patient’s return with their MRI’s for review and discussion of the results within the next one to two clinic days (Monday-Wednesday-Friday). Dr. Chudik recommends patients schedule their “test result” follow-up appointment with Dr. Chudik when they schedule the test to ensure it closely follows completion of their study. At busy times of the year, or bordering Dr. Chudik’s absences for conferences and lectures, it can be hard to coordinate the schedule and some exceptions and special extra appointments are made to accommodate patient’s needs. If your injury requires an emergency diagnostic study, tests are ordered “stat”, performed, reported and followed-up immediately. In the unusual situation where no follow-up appointment was scheduled, please contact Dr. Chudik’s administrative assistant right away at 630-324-0402, or contactus@chudikmd.com/ to let us know your study was completed.

Dr. Chudik personally views each patient’s diagnostic study (MRI, CT, etc) while considering specific symptoms and physical exam findings to ensure the films are properly interpreted and the correct diagnosis in made and proper treatment is prescribed. At your test results appointment, Dr. Chudik reviews the image(s) with you and explains the report and his findings in easy to understand and non-technical language. During this time, he also reviews your history and physical exam and presents a treatment plan based on your specific mobility goals and expectations and answers any questions or concerns you might have. This is a very important appointment that educates you about your condition, treatment options and expected outcomes in order to help you make a well-informed decision that can affect the rest of your life. It also is a more lengthy appointment because of questions, answers and complex decision making that need to be discussed. Most insurance plans pay for this visit in total except for any co-payments.

Dr. Chudik has been and orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine physician since 2002. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, completed his residency in orthopaedics at the University of North Carolina Hospitals and was a fellow in sports medicine and shoulder surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City.

Typically, Dr. Chudik performs surgery on Tuesday and Thursdays, and occasionally some additional days during busy times of the year. Given that schedule, he performs more than 700 surgeries annually, which equates to thousands during his orthopaedic surgery tenure.

Top Doctor is a designation created by US News & World Report news magazine in the mid 1980s as part of the publication’s “Best” series that also includes Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools, Best Hospitals, Best Lawyers, etc. These annual lists serve as a valuable guide to consumers because they are compiled from nominations within the specialty and tabulated by an independent research company. Nominated physicians are not assessed fees and they cannot pay to be placed on the annual list. Top Doctor selection is a permanent designation intended to assure consumers of the physician’s medical expertise in his or her field.

Ten days prior to your surgery, we require you to stop taking some specific medicines unless your medical team instructs you differently. ALWAYS consult with your prescribing physician for instructions regarding the appropriate and safe discontinuation of any medication before surgery (even aspirin). We require you to stop taking the following medications as long as it is approved by the prescribing physician:

• Aspirin or any medicines containing aspirin
• All anti-inflammatory medicines (Aleve, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, voltaren, naprosyn, feldene, Celebrex, etc.)
• Nutritional supplements (Vitamin C, ginseng, ginko biloba, garlic, ginger, etc.)
• Blood thinners. These medications need to be discontinued safely at very specific times before surgery. Some medical conditions can be life threatening if these medicines are stopped without appropriate timing and precautions. Before discontinuing ANY blood thinning medications (including Coumadin, warfarin, Heparin, Lovenox, Xarelto, etc.) you MUST discuss the timing and dosing with your prescribing physician.

Yes, unless you are told not to by Dr. Chudik or your prescribing physician.

If decide to have surgery, you will be scheduled for a surgical visit before your surgery date. As required by the hospitals and surgical centers, Dr. Chudik’s team will perform and document your current medical history and physical to ensure you are in good health and can safely proceed with surgery. We also confirm that your pre-surgical testing, medical and/or cardiac clearances are completed prior to surgery. In conjunction with your surgical visit, you also will see a licensed physical therapist at our physical therapy center to review early post-surgical care instructions/exercises, and fit and instruct you in the use of crutches, sling, immobilizer, brace, or other required assistive devices that you must bring with you to surgery.

Human skin is a major breeding ground for bacteria that contribute to more than an estimated 500,000 surgical site infections each year resulting in longer hospital stays and increased medical costs. Research shows that the use of an antimicrobial skin cleanser such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) significantly reduces surgical site infections when used pre-operatively. Infection prevention is Dr. Chudik’s top priority. Therefore, Dr. Chudik recommends patients follow his pre-surgery protocols that include using CHG clothes the night before surgery and the morning of surgery. Those steps, along with the additional skin cleansing and preparation taken by the medical staff prior to surgery, significantly help minimize your risk of getting a surgical site infection. It is unfortunate that insurance does not cover this expense; however, do not be alarmed, your risk of infection is still very low if you do not or cannot (for allergy reasons) use the clothes.

Dr. Chudik must submit his surgical order preference to the hospital several days in advance so the hospital can make the necessary arrangements for equipment and staff. Every effort will be made to accommodate your request; however, Dr. Chudik must carefully select the case order based on patient’s age, health, allergies, diabetes and the type, length, complexity, and special equipment needed for surgery. The hospital will notify you of your arrival time the afternoon the day prior to your surgery, or the Friday prior if it is on a Monday and barring emergencies, it is unchangeable.

Manage your diabetes as you are typically do the night before surgery, A nurse for the hospital will contact you the day before surgery to instruct you about the preoperative protocol, particularly regarding your diabetes management. Most patients are instructed to take either a full or half dose. When you arrive to the hospital, your glucose (sugar) levels will be checked and managed in preparation for surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, it is important to inform Dr. Chudik’s care team before or during your pre-operative surgery visit so appropriate assessment and notation can be made for the hospital and anesthesiologist. For patients with sleep apnea, there are some simple precautions that the anesthesiologist will take to ensure a safe and uneventful surgery with Dr. Chudik. Also, if you have a CPAP machine, the anesthesiologist may request you bring it with you to assist your breathing following surgery while you are arousing from the anesthesia in the recovery room.

Dr. Chudik performs every surgery himself. He does have his own surgical team of assistants who are with him in operating room to ensure every aspect of your surgery is performed to the highest standards.

The type of anesthesia that will be used for your surgery is dependent upon several things that include the type of surgery you are having done, allergies, previous surgery history, etc. Dr. Chudik will discuss his recommendations ahead of time, but the anesthesiologist and Dr. Chudik will make the final decision together on the day of surgery to minimize your exposure to anesthetics but also ensure your comfort and safety.

Most of the surgeries Dr. Chudik performs are considered “outpatient” which means you return home the same day once you are safely awake following surgery. Some surgeries are more involved and require a short stay in the hospital—but Dr. Chudik will discuss that with you in advance.

No. Dr. Chudik will provide your representative with an entirely new post-operative program packet, specific to your individual surgery, that contains all the information you need to know following surgery and should answer most, if not all, the questions you and your caregivers may have. Dr. Chudik’s physician extender will run through the entire packet of information with your representative after surgery while you are arousing in the recovery room. You (and your caregivers) should read the information carefully and follow the post-operative instructions, perform the post-operative exercises, and take the surgery-specific prescription to physical therapy following surgery.

Depending on your specific surgery, Dr. Chudik will have you start physical therapy approximately two to three days after surgery, or if your surgical extremity is immobilized with splint or brace, he may recommend physical therapy to begin after the splint is removed at your two week post-operative appointment. Information regarding the specific timing of your physical therapy will be included in the surgery specific post-operative surgery instructions.

Yes, but your clothes should be loose fitting and easy to get on and off—such as sweat pants, cargo pants/shorts, basketball shorts for lower extremity surgery, and button/zipper front fitting shirts or jackets –no pullovers–for upper extremity surgery.

Some surgical implants contain small amounts of nickel. Please notify Dr. Chudik’s team of all your allergies prior to surgery so they can take the necessary precautions to ensure your surgical experience is safe.

About ten days to two weeks following your surgery, you will have a routine post-operative appointment with Dr. Chudik’s team. This is a simple and routine visit where we remove stitches and make sure everything is proceeding according to plan.

Constipation usually is caused by the narcotic pain medication, so either discontinue taking it or take less of the medicine. Also, make sure you are staying hydrated and eating a fiber-rich diet consisting of fruit, vegetables (especially leafy greens) whole wheat and oats. Prune juice also is very effective. If this is not sufficient, you can try over-the-counter products such as Miralax or Colace laxatives.

You can take Tylenol® INSTEAD of the pain medicine, but CANNOT take them together. The pain medicine also contains Tylenol (acetaminophen) and taking additional Tylenol; can be harmful to your liver. DO NOT take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) during the first six weeks following surgery because they can affect bone and soft-tissue healing. Do not drink alcohol or take other sedating drugs. If you were taking other prescribed medication that was discontinued prior to surgery, contact your primary care doctor to discuss when to resume taking that prescription.

NO. Smoking prevents early phases of soft-tissue and bone healing resulting in surgical failure and poor outcomes.

Nausea is often caused by narcotic pain medication and resolves quickly as you decrease the amount of pain medicine you are taking. You can cut back on the amount of pain medication by cutting the pill in half, or taking just one at a time. If you have exhausted these options either stop taking the pain medication or call our office as we can prescribe some medications that may help with the nausea.

Refer to the surgery specific post-operative surgery instructions provided at surgery for specific instructions regarding dressings and wound care. Following all-arthroscopic surgeries, Dr. Chudik recommends changing surgical bandages daily starting 24 hours following surgery. Some surgeries require hard plaster splints for immobilization and all dressings are left in place and changed by Dr. Chudik’s team at the 2-week follow-up. With dressing changes, all Ace wraps, cotton wrap, and gauze can come off. The small white Steri-Strips and small blue or black sutures are left in place. You may cover the arthroscopic stitches with a Band-Aid or sterile gauze and tape. DO NOT put any ointments or creams over the incisions. You may clean around the incision sites with water, but do not get the arthroscopic incisions wet for three days and open incisions wet for two weeks. Do not submerge any wound for three weeks.

New regulations for prescribing narcotic pain medicines do not allow us to write for automatic refills or call in prescriptions. All narcotic prescriptions must be written at the office, picked up by the patient and hand delivered to the pharmacy.

Sometimes, the pain medicine is unable to control all of the post-operative pain and therefore, other strategies are very important. Particularly, early movement of tissues with post-operative exercises and therapy is critical for decreasing your pain. Even though it seems counter-intuitive and the first movements of your extremity after surgery will be painful, the more you do your exercises and move the extremity and involved joint, the quicker pain, swelling and stiffness resolve. Pain around joints, tendons, ligaments and other tissues will resolve quickly to a tolerable level with motion; but if left alone, they get stiffer, swell more and continue to be painful. Icing the surgical area for 20 minutes every hour also helps control pain. If your pain is uncontrollable with pain medication, ice and movement, call our office, or if after hours, go to the emergency room.

You can take the pain medication as directed on the bottle. We recommend taking the first dose as soon as the regional block begins to wear off and feeling begins to return in the operative extremity, or at bedtime, whichever comes first. It also can be helpful to take the medication about 30 minutes prior to your physical therapy appointments. This way pain is decreased during and after the appointment. Do NOT drive while taking pain medications.

You can ice your surgery site for 20 minutes taking at least a one-hour break before you ice the area again. Always have a barrier between your skin and ice such as a towel to decrease the risk of frostbite. Elevate the limb above your heart while icing to help reduce swelling.

Within the first week of surgery, fevers usually result from atelectasis (incomplete filling of the lungs) and should improve with deep breathing, coughing and getting up and walking around. If the fever gets above 101.5°F, or is associated with shortness of breath; calf pain; or increased pain, redness or drainage at the operative site, notify our office immediately. If it is after office hours, go to the Emergency Room.

This will depend on exactly what type of surgery you had. Your physical therapist will guide you through each step and will let you know when it is time to discontinue your assistive device based upon Dr. Chudik’s surgery-specific physical therapy protocol.

If your surgery was ALL arthroscopic, you may shower after three days. If you had any open incisions, you may shower after 14 days. Please consult your specific post-operative instructions given to you following surgery, or call our office. Do not submerge the incisions in a bath, pool, hot tub, etc., for at least three weeks.

Calf pain and/or shortness of breath can be a sign of a blood clot in your leg or your lungs. If you experience shortness of breath; chest pain; or pain, tenderness or swelling in the calf, notify our office immediately. If it is after office hours, go to the emergency room right away.

A DVT or deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but may occur without any symptoms. Deep vein thrombosis can occur if you don’t move for a long time (long plane or car rides) especially following surgery or injuries which can make your body susceptible to forming clots. It is a serious condition because blood clots can break loose and travel to your lungs (Pulmonary embolism, PE), and block blood flow which can be fatal.

Call our office immediately 630-794-8668. If it is a weekend, get to an emergency room. Signs and symptoms of a DVT typically include leg or calf swelling, pain and tenderness to palpation. Signs and symptoms of a PE include shortness of breath, chest pain, impending feeling of doom (“something is not right and just feels bad”) or just even a fast heart rate.

Driving following surgery depends upon the type of surgery and several other factors. In Illinois, operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment while taking prescription pain medication is considered a driving under the influence (DUI) violation and can result in a ticket, fine and/or jail. Driving while wearing a sling, brace or cast is dangerous and your insurance company may consider you impaired, negatively impacting your coverage.

Dr. Chudik will provide a time estimate for your return to activity or work. It is an estimate because no two people, no two surgeries, and no two post-operative rehabilitations are the same. Follow-up appointments and physical therapy progress reports will assist Dr. Chudik in determining when it is safe for you to return to work and/or physical activity.

Generally, home health care is not allowed by insurance companies for outpatient surgery and reserved for patients whose abilities to care for themselves are greatly restricted. Home physical therapy tends to be minimal and inadequate, often compromising outcomes. Therefore, Dr. Chudik strongly recommends travelling to an outpatient physical therapy center to receive the highest standard of of care. Most people schedule their surgery so a family member, friend or neighbor is available to drive them to their physical therapy appointments until they are able to drive. Others take cabs or public transportation. Also, some physical therapy companies provide complimentary rides or transportation for a nominal fee.

Please refer to your surgery-specific post-operative instructions. Following most procedures, Dr. Chudik wants his patients to begin therapy within two to three days of their surgery. However, some surgeries require a splint for protection so therapy begins after the two week post-operative appointment with Dr Chudik’s Team.

You do. In the navy surgical experience folder provided to you by Dr. Chudik, you will find a comprehensive list of physical therapy locations in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. Check with your insurance provider to find out what if any restrictions you might have for an outpatient physical therapy provider, then take time before surgery to call and arrange your post-operative surgery appointments. If they ask for a prescription, tell them Dr. Chudik is going to provide it to you immediately following your surgery.

Every insurance plan is different. Therefore, check with your provider in advance to find out what restrictions, if any, you might have that would limit where you have your physical therapy, or if there is a limit to the number of visits. This is very important as proper therapy is critical to achieving successful outcomes.

Please contact Dr Chudik’s administrative assistant by phone, 630-324-0402 or email, contactus@chudikmd.com/. Dr. Chudik’s administrative assistant can help contact a patient for an appointment, provide Dr. Chudik’s medical records, CV and his legal billing rates.

Attorneys requesting medical records need to send subpoenas with your contact information to:
Dr. Steven Chudik
1010 Executive Court, Suite 250
Westmont, Illinois 60559

Once the subpoena is received, you will be contacted and informed of any associated fees. Please allow at least five business days for record retrieval once fees are paid. Questions should be directed to 630-324-0402.

Stricter regulation on pain medicines prevent Dr. Chudik

and his physician assistants from being able to phone or fax a prescription or refill requests to your pharmacy. An original prescription—one written and signed by Dr. Chudik or his physician assistants—is required and must be presented in person to your pharmacy. Therefore, it is best to anticipate your refill needs and avoid calling Dr. Chudik’s office on a Friday because of the volume of daily requests we receive. Also, physicians on call after office hours and weekends cannot provide narcotic pain medicine over the phone.

IWP is an independent national pharmacy service that provides free prescriptions to workers’ compensation patients through overnight shipping direct to your house. If you are a workers’ compensation patient, please let Dr. Chudik’s team know you’d like to take advantage of this program. They will notify IWP and get you enrolled. Prescriptions and refills requests are sent from Dr. Chudik’s office via overnight mail so please anticipate your refill needs to allow enough time for it to be sent and then shipped to you. Initial orders are usually arranged during your pre-operative appointment.

No. Because of the strict regulation on pain medicine, we cannot prescribe 90 days worth. We can prescribe only an amount appropriate for your surgical recovery needs.

Disability parking placards are issue by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. If you believe you need a placard, please inform us at the time of your clinic visit. We will complete the form and Dr. Chudik will sign it attesting to your disability. Once signed, you are responsible for submitting the original, signed form in person to the Secretary of State’s office. We cannot mail or fax the form for you.

Notes—absentee, participation restrictions, etc.—are provided at the time of your or your child’s clinic visit. Simply ask anyone on our team to print a note for the duration of time and restrictions required. Because of the number of requests we receive on a daily basis we cannot fax or mail your note.

Anyone needing FLMA forms completed should drop them off to Dr. Chudik’s Westmont office front desk. Please provide a contact number to reach you should we have questions. There is a nominal fee of $10 to fill out the forms. Some longer than average forms incur slightly increased fees.

When you call to schedule surgery, Dr. Chudik’s surgical scheduler calls your insurance company for preauthorization. While most major insurance companies cover Dr. Chudik’s surgeries, there is significant variance in insurance benefits and coverage. In cases of outstanding deductibles, Hinsdale Orthopaedics requires payment of your deductible prior to surgery. This payment will not be processed or deposited until the date of your surgery. Payment plans are available for patients with large deductibles. In some situations, Hinsdale Orthopaedics requests a surgical deposit prior to surgery to protect you and limit your out-of-pocket expenses in the event your insurance company later refuses payment for part of your surgery. If your insurance company covers your surgery, the deposit is refunded.

Dr. Chudik’s office does not handle billing questions and concerns. If you have a question, or want to discuss payment plan options, please contact our billing group directly at 866-619-8236.

Hinsdale Orthopaedics has a patient portal called MyChart on the hinsdale-orthopaedics.com/ website that gives you direct online access to information from your electronic medical record. To obtain access to the site, just ask one of the patient service representatives to enroll you. Once you receive a login, you will be able to request copies of your medical records. Otherwise, you can call 630-324-0402 to request your medical records. The cost is $10. Please allow at least seven to ten business days to complete your request.

Attorneys requesting medical records need to send subpoenas with your contact information to:
Dr. Steven Chudik
1010 Executive Court, Suite 250
Westmont, Illinois 60559

Once the subpoena is received, you will be contacted and informed of any associated fees. Please allow at least seven to ten business days for record retrieval once fees are paid. Questions should be directed to 630-324-0402.