Although surgery is not fun, sometimes it is necessary to do, so that we can live a better and longer life. Orthopaedic surgery is a way to fix injuries or disorders of the body’s musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is made up of the body’s bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons, and other connective tissues. If you or a loved one will be having orthopedic surgery in the future, here are some recovery tips that you should consider.
Follow Your Post-Operative Plan
Once you have your surgery, your surgeon will provide a post-op plan for you to follow. This will likely include directions on your diet, medication, and physical activity. It is essential that you follow the plan as directed because it was created by the experts in the field specifically for the treatment you received. Failing to follow your post-op plan can cause complications and delays in your recovery. This can lengthen your recovery and make it a lot more painful than it should be. Make sure you completely understand your post-op plan before your procedure so that you know exactly how to follow it and have the opportunity to ask questions beforehand.
Prepare Your Home
No matter what kind of surgery you have, you will be required to recover at home for at least a short time period. It’s important that you understand what you will need in your home after your procedure. For example, if accessing your bedroom requires climbing stairs and your procedure prevents you from going up the stairs during your recovery, you need to prepare your home accordingly. Additionally, your procedure may require you to have support items such as a walker around the house or a shower chair in the bathroom. Make sure to discuss any changes you will need to make in your home before your procedure to ensure your post-op recovery is smooth.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an integral component of post-op recovery. Once your operation is complete and the wounds have had enough time to heal, you have to practice using the affected body part to get it back into routine use. Your orthopedic specialist and physical therapist will work together to create a physical therapy regimen specific to your problem and surgery. Make sure to follow the physical therapy regimen as directed so that you can bring stability and strength to the affect body part and prevent future problems.
Healthy Habits
A healthy lifestyle is important for anyone, but is particularly important for patients in post-op recovery. A healthy diet and lifestyle can help your recovery and get you back to normal more quickly. Stay away from junk food, stay hydrated, and eat healthy, nutritious foods that will help your body recover. Make sure you follow your doctor’s recommendations to ensure your body gets the right type of fuel for recovery. Additionally, don’t smoke or drink during post-op recovery. Nicotine can slow down the healing process while alcohol can have negative interactions with your medications. Finally, make sure to get enough sleep and rest. Make sure you take enough time off to let your body heal properly. This can get boring! You can prepare for this by making a list of books or movies to watch or have activities planned that will not require a lot of physical activity.
The staff at OrthoUnited are a team of dedicated experts devoted to diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal system injuries and diseases. If you are looking for an orthopedic specialist to help you with your healthcare needs, please call (844) 469-2663 to make an appointment today.
