At Cary Orthopaedics, we’ve helped hundreds of patients throughout Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Apex and the rest of the Triangle live better lives through orthopaedic surgery. Our physicians and staff work closely with each patient to explore all options and ensure that orthopaedic surgery is the best course of treatment.

The following guide will walk you through the process so that you will arrive on your surgery date informed and confident of the positive solutions orthopaedic surgery can offer.

Surgery Preparation

At the time you and your physician have agreed that surgery is the necessary procedure to pursue, you should plan to learn about the expectations from the procedure and outline a treatment plan to achieve optimal post-operative results. All surgery should be taken seriously so both physical and mental preparation is an important component to a successful outcome. As the patient, you must plan to understand and participate within your role to achieve the most efficient recovery possible.

Communicating With Your Physician

It is important to list and discuss any and all medications you may be currently taking prior to your surgery. This is normally done in the course of your regular office visit information intake process.

In the event you are taking anti-inflammatory medications, you should plan to cease this intake for up to ten days before surgery to minimize the chance of excessive bleeding. Your physician will inform you of any medications that would be safe to take closer to the surgery date.

If you are a smoker, please plan to significantly decrease or stop this habit in an effort to reduce surgical and anaesthesia risks. It has been shown that smokers have higher rates of infections and complications as well as delayed healing rates.

Prior to surgery, inform your doctor about any conditions that could interfere with the procedure or the results. You will most likely undergo routine tests, such as blood work and have had X-rays,or other diagnostic tests such as MRI before the surgery.

In the event of a more major surgery such as joint replacement you will want to discuss, with your surgeon, options for preparing for potential blood replacement. One option may include donating your own blood.

Weight loss assists in decreasing stress to the hip, knee and ankle joints if you are overweight and also makes administration of the anaesthetic safer.

Any problems you may have such as bowel or bladder, tooth or gum should be addressed and resolved prior to surgery in an effort to reduce postoperative risk of infections.

You must be sure to report any infections to your physician. These must be cleared before elective surgery can be performed.

Help At Home After Surgery

Depending on the particular surgical procedure you may be unable to do many of the normal tasks around the house for several days up to several weeks. Plan to have help with meals, cooking and cleaning, as well as shopping, transportation and laundry. Your surgeon should be able to give you a good idea of how much time you may need that assistance.

Rearrange your things around the house for easy access to where you will spend most of your resting time. Plan to do this before surgery. Be aware of any hazards that exist or impediments to movement such as furniture in the way, loose electrical cords or wrinkles in the carpet. Locate a comfortable yet supportive and firm chair to sit in that has arms available to push up from.

Same Day Surgery Preparation

Please plan to have someone stay at the surgery center for outpatient, day surgery procedures. The surgical center staff will not allow the procedure to be performed unless you have assistance on site. Do not plan to drive for at least 24 hours to allow for the anaesthetic to clear and especially if you are on pain medication.

It is not advised that you quickly eat or drink much after surgery, especially on the trip home or immediately upon arriving home. This is the point that you will be most subject to nausea and vomiting due to the anaesthesia, pain medication and the travel.

It is best that you refrain from eating much until your body tells you that you are hungry. Light foods for the first day after surgery are best.

Any surgery on the limbs are best treated postoperatively with Ice, elevation and light compression. The combination of these can help to alleviate pain and swelling.

Be sure to take your pain medicine as prescribed. Do not wait to take your pain medication until your pain has become intolerable as it takes time for the medication to become effective. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable.

Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns. If you have an urgent problem after hours you may call our answering service who will reach our on-call physician. In the event of an emergency call 911. During normal office hours please call the office directly and speak with one of our staff or leave a message with our medical staff to return your call at the earliest possible convenience.

For more information on how the specialists at Cary Orthopaedics can help you with orthopedic surgery and related needs, contact us today at 919-467-4992 for an appointment!

Cary Orthopaedics serves patients from Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro, NC.