Preparing Surgery
A bone fracture is a medical condition in which a bone cracks or breaks. This occurs when the structure of the bone is disrupted. While many fractures result from strong impacts or intense pressure, they can also happen because of health issues that make bones weaker, such as osteoporosis.
Working with Your Doctor
Before the surgery, your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination to ensure you do not have any medical conditions that might affect the surgery or your overall health. Standard tests, including blood tests and X-rays, are usually carried out about a week prior to any major surgical procedure.
- Medication Review: Before your surgery, it is important to discuss all the medications you are currently taking with your doctor and family physician. This will help determine which medications should be discontinued before the procedure.
- Blood Replacement Options: Also, talk to your doctor about possible blood replacement options available before surgery. This may include donating your own blood, undergoing medical procedures, or receiving other treatments that can help manage your blood supply during the operation.
- Weight Management: If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery can help minimize strain on your new joint. However, it is important not to follow a diet in the month leading up to the surgery.
- Blood Thinning Medications: If you are using aspirin, anti-inflammatory medicines, warfarin, or any other drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding, you should discontinue them one week before surgery to help reduce the chance of excessive bleeding.
- Smoking Cessation: Avoid or cut down smoking to reduce surgical risks and support faster, smoother recovery after surgery.
- Dental & Health Checkups: Address any issues related to your teeth, gums, bladder, or bowels prior to surgery to lower the chance of developing an infection.
- Balanced Diet: Maintain a healthy, balanced diet and include a daily multivitamin containing iron to support overall wellness.
- Infection Reporting: Report any infections to your surgeon, because the surgery cannot begin until all infections are fully resolved.
- Post-Surgery Assistance: Plan for assistance with daily tasks such as cooking, shopping, and laundry to ease recovery process.
- Accessibility Preparation: Place frequently used items within easy reach before surgery to reduce the need for bending and stretching.
- Home Safety Measures: Eliminate loose carpets and securely tape electrical cords to minimize fall risks and enhance home safety.
- Comfortable Seating: Ensure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, firm back, and armrests for better support.
Preparing for Procedure
If you are having Day Surgery, remember the following:
- Have Assistance: Have someone available to take you home, as you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid Eating in Car: Avoid eating or drinking inside the car during your trip home to ensure comfort and safety.
- Nausea & Vomiting Prevention: The mix of anesthesia, recent food intake, and car movement often leads to nausea or vomiting. Once safely home, wait until genuine hunger returns before attempting to eat anything.
- Light Diet: Start with a light meal, avoiding heavy or greasy foods during the first 24 hours after surgery recovery.
- Extremity Surgery Care: If you had surgery on a leg, knee, hand, or elbow, keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed to help decrease swelling and pain.
- Pain Management: Take your pain medicine as directed. Start taking it as you begin feeling uncomfortable rather than waiting until the pain becomes severe.
