Restoring Function. Relieving Pain.
Specializing in Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine
Patient Resources
Information for patients to prepare for clinic visits, surgery and after surgery.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy protocols and instructional videos for patients and therapists.
Excellence in Orthopaedics
Nationally recognized orthopaedic surgeon.
. Specializing in operative and non-operative treatment of shoulder and elbow conditions.
Emphasis on evidence based medicine and patient outcomes.
Innovative and minimally invasive techniques.
15
Years of experience
4000
Surgeries Performed
110
Academic Papers
Services
Shoulder
Full spectrum of shoulder conditions, from injuries in athletes to advanced arthritis and painful shoulder replacements.
Focused On You
Thank you for choosing our medical practice. We are, first and foremost, committed to providing you with the best orthopaedic care possible. We look forward to meeting you, and to providing exceptional care.
Frequently Asked Questions
15 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow time for check in and registration.
• Insurance card and primary care referral, if necessary
• Photo identification
• If you have been evaluated by another physician, previously for this or any related condition, please bring all relevant materials
• Medical records, X-Rays, CT scans, MRIs, nerve studies
• It is important to personally bring CD’s with images, not just imaging reports
• Previous operative reports
• List of all medications and supplements that you currently take
• List of all medical problems
• List of allergies to medications
Thank you for your assistance in bringing the information above. We look forward to seeing you on the day of your appointment!
Dr. Hettrich sees patients in Watertown at North Country Orthopedic Group. For the clinic address and directions, visit our "Contact Us" page.
Dr. Hettrich operates both at North Country Orthopedic Group Ambulatory Surgery Center, as well as at Carthage Hospital . You will be told the location when you schedule your surgery. If you have any questions about this, please contact our office at 315-782-1650.
Some surgeries will require a written medical clearance from your doctor, or clearance from our anesthesiologists. Based on your age and medical history, our staff will review with you what will be required prior to your procedure. If your medical clearance or preoperative labs are not obtained in time, your surgery could be delayed.
You will also need to arrange for someone to come with you to your surgery and drive you home. Depending on the size of your surgery, you also may need someone to stay with you while you recover. We recommend you speak to Dr. Hettrich about this prior to your surgery if you live alone.
Your follow-up appointment after surgery will be the following week (4-7 days after surgery). At this appointment Dr. Hettrich or a member of her team will check your wound. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to this as you may still be on narcotic pain medication, or wearing a sling.
One week before surgery you need to stop all anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, St. John’s Wort, etc) and blood thinners (aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), Eliquis (apixaban), etc). Please discuss this with your primary medical doctor or cardiologist. If they recommend staying on these medications, please discuss this with Dr. Hettrich as some surgeries can be done while on these medications. If you have If you have questions about any of your medications, please call our office.
Please take any medications for your heart/lungs. You may take these with a sip of water. If you have any questions about this, please review with the nurse who calls the day before surgery or your primary care doctor.
You will receive a call from operating room staff the day before surgery (typically in the early afternoon) to notify you of your arrival time. It is important that you are on time or your case may have to be canceled. Please call the BWH Faulkner at (617) 983-7179 or Foxboro at (508) 718-4055 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM if you have any questions. Please make sure they have the correct phone number to contact you the day before.
• DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING after midnight, or your surgery will be canceled. You can have a sip of water with medication.
• Take a shower or bath the night before or morning of surgery. You will be provided with Hibiclens or Hydrogen Peroxide, with instructions for use.
• Please remove any nail polish as this interferes with monitoring during surgery.
• The day/evening before the surgery you will get a call from the hospital confirming your arrival time, as well as last minute instructions. They can also answer any questions that you might have.
• Relax and get a good night’s sleep. You are in good hands!
• Insurance card
• Photo ID
• Friend or family member who will be available the entire time during surgery and will take you home after surgery
• Comfortable, loose fitting clothing. For shoulder and elbow surgery we recommend loose fitting shirts that either zip or button in the front.
• Your sling/brace if provided with one before surgery
• Change of clothes in case you need to spend the night (for shoulder replacements)
• A pillow to rest your arm for the car ride home (can leave in your car)
• Inhaler, if you have athsma/COPD
While you do not need special clothing, there are some items that will make dressing after shoulder surgery much easier.
• Modified t-shirt with snaps on the sleeves (can be found on Amazon if you search for 'rotator cuff surgery shirts'), or loose tank tops, t-shirts, and button down shirts.
• For women, a front closure bra will be easier to put on, and a T-back/racerback bra will be less likely to rub on your incisions.
• Pants that you can pull up/put on with one hand.