FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are common questions pertaining to Dr. McAllisters practice. If you have further question please contact us.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. How long will I have to use crutches after surgery?

  • For meniscus repair/meniscectomy, or chondroplasty:

    • Approximately 1 to 3 days post-operatively, crutches can be weaned as tolerated.

  • For ACL reconstruction:

    • Approximately 1-3 weeks post-operatively, crutches can be weaned as tolerated.

  • For Achilles tendon repair:

    • Approximately 4 to 6 weeks post-operatively, as directed by your surgeon.

  • For microfracture procedure:

    • For 6 weeks post-operatively.

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2. How long will it be before I am able to drive after surgery?

  • After shoulder surgery?

    • You cannot safely drive until your sling is no longer necessary

  • After knee surgery?

    • You may drive once you can walk comfortably without crutches and feel safe operating a car.

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3. How long will I have to wear a sling following shoulder surgery?

  • For rotator cuff repair:

    • Approximately 6 weeks post-operatively. The sling is to be worn full-time but can be removed for bathing and home exercises and physical therapy as directed.

  • For SLAP/labral repair:

    • Approximately 6 weeks post-operatively. The sling is to be worn full-time but can be removed for bathing and home exercises and physical therapy as directed.

  • For other arthroscopic shoulder surgery:

    • As directed by Dr. McAllister.

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4. When should I begin physical therapy?

  • Physical Therapy is not always required after surgery. When and if you begin physical therapy is dependent upon the procedure performed. Dr. McAllister will prescribe physical therapy if it is needed.

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5. I am having knee/ankle surgery. Will I need to purchase crutches prior to surgery?

  • No, crutches do not need to be purchased as they will be given to you on the day of surgery. If you already have crutches that you would like to use, please bring these with you to the surgery center.

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6. Where will the surgery take place?

  • Your surgery will be performed at the UCLA Ambulatory Surgery Center located at 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

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7. Am I allowed to have someone in the room with me?

  • You are allowed to have someone with you just prior to and immediately following surgery. However, visitors are not allowed into the operating room.

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8. With regards to overnight stays, will I be able to stay overnight with my child or family member?

  • Unfortunately, we are only able to accommodate our patients during overnight stays. Parents, friends and other family members will not be allowed to stay over night.

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9. I’ll need disability forms completed. When should I forward these to your office?

  • You may fax or mail you disability paperwork to Dr. McAllister’s office along with instructions on where to send it, prior to your date of surgery or bring it with you on the day of surgery.

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10. Am I eligible for disabled parking?

  • In most cases you may be eligible for a temporary disabled parking placard if you’ve recently undergone lower extremity (leg, knee, or ankle) surgery.

  • How do I obtain a temporary placard?

    • If eligible, complete your section of the application for disabled parking then forward the form to our office by e-mail or fax for completion of the physician section. Once the application is completed take to the Department of Motor Vehicles for processing.

    • Disabled Person Parking Placards >

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11. When after surgery will I be released to go home?

  • You will be released home a few hours after surgery. You will need a ride home or to your hotel following surgery.

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12. I’m not sure I’ll have a ride home after surgery. Can I take a Taxi?

  • Our surgery center will not release you without a ride home from a friend or relative. You may take a taxi only if a friend or relative will be riding with you.

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13. Where is your office located?

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14. What is your mailing address and phone number?

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15. Where is the surgery center located?

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16. How do I get to your office and surgery center?

  • Our clinic and surgery center are conveniently located in the UCLA Medical Plaza adjacent to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

 
 

Driving Directions

From the San Diego Freeway (405):

Take Wilshire Boulevard offramp and go east. At the third traffic light, turn left onto Westwood Boulevard. Proceed across LeConte Avenue and at the next light, Medical Plaza Drive, turn left and follow the ramp down to the parking lot below. An additional entrance to this parking area can be found north of LeConte Avenue on Gayley Avenue, two blocks west of Westwood Plaza.


From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX):

Take the San Diego Freeway northbound to Wilshire Boulevard east, and continue as described above.


From the East via the 10 (Santa Monica Freeway):

Take 10 (Santa Monica Fwy) East to 405 (San Diego Fwy) North, and exit on Wilshire Boulevard east. Continue as described above.

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17. Where do I park?

  • Parking is available the Medical Plaza in the underground parking structure. Parking booth hours of operation are Mon-Fri 5:30 am – 6:00 pm.

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18. How much is parking?

  • The fee for parking is a flat rate of $13. Rates subject to change without notice.

    Daily parking permits can be purchased at the parking kiosk. There is no fee for parking if the driver of the vehicle has a valid handicap placard in his or her name. Please ensure that your vehicle displays a valid parking permit at all times.

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19. Do you validate parking?

  • We do not validate parking.

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20. What days and times does Dr. McAllister see patients?

  • Dr. McAllister sees patients on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

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