If you are due to undergo orthopaedic surgery, did you know there are things you can do both beforehand and afterwards to support yourself to make a good recovery? Patients at York Orthopaedics receive detailed advice about the importance of good prehabilitation and rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcomes from their surgery. This blog contains some of the information we consider essential advice for anyone undergoing orthopaedic surgery…
What is prehabilitation?
Prehabilitation is the process of preparing for surgery by getting your body into an optimum state of health and fitness so that you will recover well and experience the maximum benefits from the procedure. As well as optimising your physical health, prehabilitation is also beneficial for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
For all patients undergoing elective (planned) surgery, we recommend discussing a personalised prehabilitation plan with your orthopaedic surgeon. You will also need to think about practical considerations (such as how you will get home from the hospital or whether you will need to make adaptations to your home environment if you are unable to go upstairs, for example). Your orthopaedic team will advise.
How does prehabilitation help?
Being well-prepared for surgery could benefit you in a number of different ways. You may spend less time in hospital, for example, or have a lower risk of post-surgical complications. You may experience less post-operative pain or recover faster so you can get back to your everyday activities sooner.
If you have to wait for surgery, then taking proactive steps to support yourself to become fitter and healthier in the meantime can feel empowering and may improve your mental as well as your physical health. Maybe one of your prehabilitation goals might be to lose weight to reduce stress on painful joints.
This will help you to feel better and become healthier in the long-term alongside supporting your recovery after surgery. If you are doing exercises to build muscle strength and flexibility, this can help to reduce pain and stiffness and increase mobility.
What kind of prehabilitation should I do?
Your orthopaedic surgeon will suggest some of the most effective steps you could take to optimise your physical health and wellbeing prior to surgery. These might include:
- Improving your nutrition by eating a healthy balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, wholemeal grains and carbohydrates. Cut back on salt, sugar and saturated fats.
- Drink plenty of water to ensure you are well-hydrated and reduce your alcohol and caffeine consumption.
- If you smoke, it is advisable to quit prior to surgery as smoking is linked to poorer surgical outcomes – including slower wound healing – as well as many different chronic health conditions and an increased risk of post-surgical complications.
- A programme of gentle exercise can help to build muscle strength and flexibility and support you to maintain a healthy body weight which can reduce stress on damaged joints. It can also increase bone density, improve cardiovascular health and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. A physiotherapist will be able to recommend an exercise programme.
- Prepare your home for your return from hospital after surgery. Your orthopaedic team will be able to advise you but you may need to move your bed downstairs in the short-term if you will be on crutches, as well as removing any trip hazards. It can also be a good idea to prepare and freeze meals in advance so you don’t have to worry about cooking.
What is rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is a structured programme to support you to build strength and flexibility after surgery so you can make a good recovery and get back to the activities you love as soon as possible. Following surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will advise on the best way to rehabilitate in the weeks and months ahead. You will be given personalised information about a whole range of things including wound care, bathing and when it might be safe to go back to work or driving.
You will be referred to a physiotherapist who will show you a range of exercises to build muscle strength and flexibility. It is important to do these as instructed to prevent stiffness and support the affected area to regain the fullest possible range of movement and function. As you build your strength and mobility, you will not only feel physically better but it can support your mental health, enabling you to enjoy a better quality of life.
Continue any positive life changes you implemented during your prehabilitation, such as taking regular gentle exercise, eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking plenty of water as these will help to support your body to make a good recovery.
Every patient at York Orthopaedics receives detailed one-to-one prehabilitation and rehabilitation guidance as part of their treatment plan. Contact us for more information.
A Leading Team of Orthopaedic Specialists – North Yorkshire
We are a team of specialist orthopaedic surgeons each of whom has a particular area of expertise. Not only are we the largest orthopaedic practice in North Yorkshire but we have been established the longest and have many satisfied patients. Take a look at our Testimonials page to see what they say.
Telephone: 01904 373032
Email: info@yorkorthopaedics.co.uk
OUR LOCATIONS
Clifton Park Hospital – Main Hospital Shipton Rd, Rawcliffe, York YO30 5RA – Directions
Clifton Park Hospital – Outpatients Department, Equinox House, Clifton Park Ave, York YO30 5PA – Directions
Nuffield York Hospital – Haxby Rd, Clifton, York YO31 8TA – Directions
