Preparing Yourself and Your Home for Orthopaedic Surgery

Is orthopaedic surgery just around the corner for you or a loved one? Learn more about what will happen on surgery day and the days that follow. Being prepared can help with an easier and speedier recovery. No matter the type of surgery you’re facing, a few basics apply. Learn what to expect and do before, during and after your orthopaedic procedure.

Understand the Ins and Outs of Your Surgery

It’s important to feel comfortable and confident going into your procedure. Learn about the details of your procedure by meeting with your surgeon before surgery day and reviewing any patient education materials provided.

"Patients need to fully understand their orthopaedic problem, and their surgeon should help," says Anil Gupta, MD, MBA, an orthopaedic surgeon with ProMedica Physicians Toledo Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeons. "At ProMedica, we’ll help you understand your condition, prognosis, procedure and recovery — and will be there for you throughout the entire process."

Prior to surgery day, you and your surgeon should discuss:

• Preparation.
• Surgery day.
• Post-operative care.
• Rehabilitation.
• Pain management.

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

Bring any questions you have to your appointment. If you’re not sure what to ask, you could consider these: 

• Are tests or other medical evaluations needed first? How, when and where do I get them?
• Are there any dietary restrictions before or after surgery?
• Do I need to bring someone with me to the procedure?
• What are the benefits and risks of this procedure?
• What are the possible complications and how likely are they to happen?
• What should I expect after treatment? How long will it take to recover?

"Some patients have had previous surgery, preexisting conditions like fibromyalgia, or have been on medication to manage pain from other issues," says Dr. Gupta. "And so, it's important to have a post-surgical pain management plan in place prior to surgery."

Prepare Yourself for Surgery

The instructions you receive before your surgery will depend on your condition and unique circumstances — and that means they can look slightly different for every patient.

If you are in relatively good health, you may only need to stop food and liquids, usually at midnight, before you come to the hospital. You may also be asked to stop certain medications. Make sure you follow the specific instructions given by your care team and ask questions if you aren’t clear on any of the details.

If you have additional health conditions, such as a history of heart attacks, stroke or diabetes, you may need:

• Additional tests prior to surgery, including an EKG, chest X-ray or blood tests.
• An approval from your primary care provider, even if these health concerns are unrelated to your orthopaedic condition or injury.
• Assistance with quitting smoking (you should stop at least four to six weeks before surgery since smokers have higher rates of orthopaedic surgery failure compared to nonsmokers.

If you need additional support, don't hesitate to reach out to your surgical care team — and should you need help to stop smoking, talk to your doctor about ProMedica's Tobacco Cessation program.

As part of your preparations, you should also decide on a caregiver to help you both at the hospital and when you return home. A trusted family member or friend at your side will go a long way in helping you:

• Get around the house as needed.
• Keep track of follow-up appointments and recommended next steps.
• Maintain your personal hygiene.
• Remember your doctor's instructions and details about how your surgery went.
• Stay on track with medications.

Prepare Your Home for Recovery

Finally, you will want to prepare your home. Unless your surgeon says otherwise, you'll probably have surgery and go home the same day.

Consider things like where it will be easiest for you to rest or sleep and have a clear path to the kitchen and restroom. You may want to temporarily rearrange your home to best support your recovery.

Bathing is one of the trickiest tasks you'll tackle after surgery. You can make showering after the procedure easier and safer by being ready ahead of time. Try these tips for your bathroom:

• Get a bath chair or bench to use in the shower.
• Install safety bars – one to help you get in and out of the tub and another to help you stand from a sitting position.
• Place nonslip suction mats or rubber silicone decals inside and outside the bath.

Consider planning several no-prep meals to have on hand as you regain your strength and mobility and arranging for friends or family to help with household chores.

If you or your provider thinks that you may need additional support after your operation, ask your care team if a care navigator can assist you. They can help you find inpatient rehabilitation or home health care services to utilize after your operation. 

Know How To Get the Best Outcome

It's natural to talk with friends, family and sometimes even strangers about your upcoming surgery. And it's likely you'll run across someone who's had a similar procedure. But while it's okay to listen to their experiences, it's important to realize that outcomes vary widely from person to person. Your recovery, pain levels and response to physical therapy may be very different from theirs.

"It's so important to work closely with your care team. You, your family, your doctor and your therapist all need to be on the same page," says Dr. Gupta. "That's what will ensure the very best outcome."