Clear answers. Confident care.
FAQs
From your first appointment to every step after treatment.
Let’s talk through what matters to you.
Book an appointment
Plan your appointment and check-in with confidence.
How do I book an appointment with Dr. Chen?
Use Chang Gung’s online appointment system and selectChiayi Branch, Orthopedics, Dr. Chen Jiun Liang. Available clinics and appointments are shown in the system. Bookings open for the current day and the following four weeks.
Telephone booking: from a landline, call 412-8808; from a mobile phone, call (02) 412-8808. Please cancel in advance if you cannot attend.
What should I bring to my first visit, and where do I check in?
Please bring yourNHI card and identification. If available, also bring your referral, previous imaging and medication records.
If you have completed the first-visit registration online, bring your NHI card to the clinic to check in. Otherwise, visit the registration counter 30 minutesbefore your appointment. Follow hospital instructions for blood pressure measurement and check-in, then pay after your consultation.
How much does an orthopedic appointment at Chiayi Chang Gung cost?
Your outpatient bill includesa registration fee and the NHI copayment, plus other charges related to prescriptions or services you choose.
| Fee | When it applies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | Weekday morning and afternoon clinics | NT$100 |
| Registration fee | Evening clinics, weekends and public holidays | NT$150 |
| Outpatient NHI copayment | Without a referral | NT$240 |
| Outpatient NHI copayment | With a referral | NT$100 |
Standard rates for eligible NHI patients. Medication copayments, certificates and self-pay services are charged separately. Exemptions follow hospital and NHI rules.
Can I still see the doctor if I forget my NHI card?
You may initially receive care on afull self-paybasis under hospital rules. According to Chang Gung’s guidance, return within 10 days of your visitwith your NHI card, identification and original receipt to arrange the NHI adjustment and refund at the billing counter.
The refundable amount depends on your NHI eligibility and the services provided.
How do I request a medical certificate for leave or an insurance claim?
Ask the treating physician during your appointment and explain thepurpose and number of copies required. Certificates are issued based on your medical record. Bring identification; English certificates or applications by a representative require additional documents under hospital rules.
Certificate charges vary by document. Outpatient fees apply separately if you also have a consultation. See Chang Gung’s document application information for current fees.
Before Surgery
Understand your options and prepare for surgery.
Does joint pain always mean I need surgery?
No. We first discuss how pain affects your life and review examinations and imaging. Medication, rehabilitation or other suitable treatments may help. Surgery is considered when symptoms continue to limit daily life and nonsurgical treatment has not provided enough relief.
Dr. Chen emphasizespreserving native tissue and protecting soft tissues. The choice of treatment depends on the extent of damage and your activity needs.
Can I drink water before surgery?
Food and fluid restrictions depend on your anesthesia and health. Follow thespecific instructions from your surgical and anesthesia teams, rather than fasting times found online.
Tell the team before surgery if you have eaten or drunk anything, or if you are unsure whether to take your morning medication.
Should I stop my regular medicines or supplements?
Bring a completemedication list or your medication packets, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal products and supplements. Tell the team about chronic conditions, allergies and past anesthesia experiences.
Your medical and anesthesia teams will decide which medicines to continue, adjust or stop.Do not stop medication on your own.
I’m worried about anesthesia and pain. Can we discuss this beforehand?
Yes. The anesthesia team will review your health, medications and previous experiences, then explain appropriate anesthesia and pain management options.
Share your concerns. If pain after surgery affects your rest or activity, tell the team so your care can be adjusted.
How long do hip and knee procedures usually take?
Dr. Chen’s general estimates are:
- Direct anterior hip replacement (DAA): approximately 1.5–2 hours.
- Hip core decompression with bone grafting, high tibial osteotomy (HTO), partial knee replacement or total knee replacement: approximately 1 hour.
- Hip or knee revision: assessed individually according to implant condition, bone loss and reconstruction needs.
Actual time varies with your condition. Time in the operating suite also includes anesthesia, preparation and recovery.
Hospital Stay
Prepare for admission, your hospital stay and returning home.
How are my admission date and check-in time arranged?
If hospital treatment is needed, the team will arrange admission registration and examinations. Leave a reliable contact number and wait for the hospital’s bed and check-in notification.
Follow the date, time and location in your admission notice. Contact the hospital in advance if your plans or health change.
What should I pack? Do I need someone with me?
Bring your NHI card, identification, admission notice, regular medicines, loose clothing and toiletries. Leave valuables at home where possible.
Arrange transport and any help you may need at home. Ask the ward nursing station about inpatient caregivers; accompanying-person rules follow current hospital policy.
Chang Gung admission processChang Gung inpatient FAQASA surgery preparation guide
Can I choose a room? How do NHI wards differ from private or twin rooms?
You may state your room preference when registering, but placement depends onbed availability that day. Being flexible about room type can help with arrangements.
Under Chang Gung’s published guidance, NHI patients in rooms with three or more beds do not pay a room-upgrade difference. Private and twin rooms have additional room charges; check Chiayi Branch’s current rates.No room-upgrade charge does not mean that all inpatient care is free.
Do I have to choose a self-pay joint implant?
NHI-covered materials may be available if you meet coverage criteria. Some specialized materials require an additional payment or full self-payment.
Understand thepurpose, eligibility, alternatives and costbefore discussing the choice with your physician. Suitability for your condition and activities matters more than price alone.
How does the team decide when I can safely go home?
The team considers your overall health, pain control, ability to eat and move for daily tasks, and whether you have the help you need at home.
Before discharge, confirm yourmedicines, wound care, activity precautions and follow-up. The right time to go home is assessed individually.
After Surgery
Care for your wound, build activity gradually and return to daily life.
How should I care for my wound? Can I shower?
Follow your discharge instructions to keep the wound and dressing clean and dry. Dressing changes and showering depend on thetype of dressing and how the wound is healing.
Avoid soaking in a bath or swimming before the wound heals. Do not add creams or change your care routine without checking with your team.
How do I return to rehabilitation, work and exercise?
Increase activity gradually according to your procedure and follow-up assessment. Continue the strength and movement exercises prescribed by your team.Walking does not fully replace rehabilitation exercises.
Before returning to work, driving or more demanding exercise, review your strength, movement control and medication effects with your team. Your plan is tailored to your progress.
Do I still need follow-up if I no longer have pain?
Yes. Less pain does not mean recovery and monitoring are complete. Follow-up allows the team to check your wound and function, and use imaging when needed to assess bone or implants.
Keep your appointments so activity and care can be adjusted to your progress. Report new symptoms without waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Will my artificial joint wear out? Will it definitely need replacing?
An artificial joint may wear over time, butthere is no single lifespan that applies to everyone. Activity demands, body weight, bone quality and implant condition all affect long-term performance.
Recommended activity and ongoing follow-up help track changes. Revision depends on specific problems such as wear, loosening or infection, rather than simply reaching a certain number of years.
Which symptoms after surgery need urgent attention?
Contact your medical team promptly forpersistent fever, worsening wound redness or swelling, drainage, a marked increase in pain, or new pain and swelling in one calf. These symptoms need assessment.
For sudden chest pain, breathing difficulty or fainting, seek emergency care immediately or call 119 in Taiwan.Do not wait for a reply to an online message.
No matching questions. Try “medication”, “fees” or “rehabilitation”.