When you have been diagnosed with an orthopedic condition and you know that your best option to recover your health and/or mobility is surgery, you surely wait for this day with anxiety. You cannot wait for it to be over, but also, you want to make sure that the outcome is optimal.
You have chosen the best orthopedic surgeon, you asked your family for help. But, what you may forget, is that there are plenty of things you can do to assure the best outcome of your surgery – by maximizing the positive result.
Here are some tips for you:
1. Follow your orthopedic surgeon’s orders
We trust our doctors and always try to do what they say, but it’s also true that we struggle to prioritize all the things that the doctors have asked us to do. Sometimes we decide that some of these things are not worth the trouble. Don’t do that! Some of the orders that seem insignificant may influence the outcome of the surgery.
2. Maintain or improve your fitness level
An adequate fitness level before the surgery will give you much-needed strength and mobility.
3. Maintain or attain a healthy weight.
Your weight is a very important factor when it comes to surgery – orthopedic surgery in particular. Not only does it influence your anesthesia, but a healthy weight also helps your recovery by unburdening your joints and bones.
4. Have dental maintenance done
Anyone considering orthopedic surgery should plan a visit to a qualified dentist, beforehand. They should make sure that their mouth is free of gum disease before they schedule for that procedure. Otherwise, there is a risk that the new joint will become infected.
5. Prepare your home
Stock the freezer with quick and easy to prepare meals, so that you don’t have to strain yourself while cooking. Find out what, if any, assistive equipment you’ll need to rent/purchase.
6. Quit smoking
Do it at least two weeks prior to surgery to avoid complications and aid soft tissue and bone healing.
7. Prepare for physiotherapy
Find out if you will require outpatient physiotherapy and locate a physiotherapy facility close to home.
8. Arrange supportive care
Orthopedic Doctors in Cary (or other locations)
The Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic’s board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons in Cary bring together many years of experience to diagnose, manage and correct various conditions, which can literally run from the fingertips to the elbow.
Treatment of orthopedic conditions is a highly specialized field that deals with a broad set of conditions and symptoms. Many hand, wrist and elbow conditions are treated with non-surgical approaches, such as medications, injections, and our on-site hand therapy department. However, when hand surgery is indicated, advanced procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and without a hospital stay.
Make an appointment with one of our orthopedic doctors in Cary (or our other locations) to get specialized treatment with a personal approach.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.