Orthopedics

Orthopedic care can involve discussions before, during, and after treatment, including patient instructions, procedure preparation, discharge, and follow-up. Hospital for Special Surgery describes language services as available throughout care. CMS language-access planning materials identify patient instructions, procedure preparation, and discharge or follow-up information as communication points to consider. Practical language assistance can help patients, families, and care teams access these conversations and materials in the languages they use. It is not clinical or legal advice, does not interpret medical findings or determine treatment, and does not replace a provider’s judgment, facility policies, or required procedures. Language assistance cannot establish compliance or guarantee understanding, treatment decisions, recovery, follow-up, or health outcomes.