Questions families ask before booking

The consultation fee depends on the hospital you visit. We tell you the exact fee on WhatsApp before you book, so there are no surprises. A follow-up visit within 5 days of your first consultation is free to go through your reports and scans.

The cost of surgery depends on the operation, the implant, the room and the nights in hospital. It is explained to you before you decide.

The quickest way is WhatsApp. Send +92 300 4890692 the patient's name, age, the problem, and a photo of any X-ray or MRI report. You get an appointment time by reply.

Dr Malik sees patients Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday) at:

• Omar Hospital & Cardiac Centre, Johar Town, Lahore: 7–9 PM

You can also call, use the online form on the Contact page, or visit the reception at Omar Hospital & Cardiac Centre. Consultations are in Urdu or English.

Please bring:

• old medical records and reports
• X-rays and MRI scans (films or reports)
• a list of all the medicines you take

Not always. Many back, knee and hip problems can be helped by physiotherapy, medicines, injections or other non-surgical care. For most problems that are not emergencies, surgery is considered only after these have not helped. A bad fracture, or a nerve problem such as fast-worsening leg weakness, may need surgery sooner. Fast-worsening leg weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, means go to an emergency department now.

Already been told you need an operation? A second opinion is your right. Bring your reports and Dr Malik will go through your options with you, including non-surgical ones.

Before any operation, the anaesthesia doctor checks your parent's health. For an older parent with heart problems or diabetes, a physician or heart doctor usually checks them too. They look for problems such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, and manage them first. No operation is free of risk. Dr Malik will explain the risks clearly, so the family can decide together.

The anaesthesia doctor checks that you are fit for the operation. Depending on your age and health, a physician or heart doctor may also check you. Any health problems found are managed before surgery.

It keeps your muscles strong and your joint moving, especially before a joint replacement. You also learn the exercises you will do after the operation.

It is surgery through a smaller cut. For suitable patients it can mean less blood loss and getting up a little sooner; long-term results are similar. It is not right for everyone, and Dr Malik will tell you if it suits you.

Most patients do not need a blood transfusion. If an operation could involve more bleeding, Dr Malik will tell you beforehand, and blood of your group is kept ready.

Yes. Dr Malik performs every operation himself.

It depends on the operation and on your parent's health. After keyhole knee surgery, most people go home the same day or the next. A joint replacement or a broken hip needs a longer stay.

After a knee replacement, the stay is usually about 3 days. For other operations, Dr Malik will tell you how long your parent is likely to stay.

Yes, it is strongly recommended. It helps you regain movement and strength and reduces stiffness.

Call the clinic the same day if the wound is red, hot, swollen or leaking, or if there is a fever. Also call the same day if the calf is painful or swollen. If you cannot reach the clinic, go to the nearest emergency department.

Go to the nearest emergency department now if a cast or splint feels too tight or pain keeps getting worse despite painkillers. Go now, too, if the fingers or toes go numb, cold, pale or blue. Do not cut the cast yourself.

For chest pain or sudden breathlessness, go to the nearest emergency department now or call Rescue 1122.

After a hip replacement, also go now if there is sudden severe hip pain, or the leg looks shorter or turned. Go now, too, if the patient cannot stand on it. The hip may have dislocated.

After spine surgery, also go now for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the private parts, or new leg weakness.

Many people can. If an operation is needed, it is usually done by keyhole surgery (arthroscopy). Some people do well with physiotherapy alone; Dr Malik will advise.

With strict physiotherapy, most people can return to contact sports after 6 to 12 months.

Fall or suspected broken bone? Go to the nearest emergency department now, or call Rescue 1122, if the person cannot stand or put weight on the leg, a limb looks bent or a bone is showing, a hand or foot is cold, pale or numb, there is heavy bleeding, or they hit their head. An older person who cannot walk after a fall may have a broken hip and needs to go to hospital now. Do not move someone who may have hurt their neck or back.

A leg that looks shorter or turned outwards is another sign of a broken hip.

Once the patient is safe, call +92 300 4890692 for fracture care with Dr Malik. Dr Malik can arrange care in the emergency department: WhatsApp the X-ray, the patient’s medical history and any medical conditions to the same number. If you cannot reach us, go to the nearest emergency department.