Orthopedic surgery is always troublesome as it affects the routine lives of people. For some people, the word “surgery” also affects them mentally. However, the field of orthopedics has become so advanced that the success rates are high. Hence, there is no need to worry about the procedure. Orthopedic surgeries often require trauma implants. 

Well, the success of surgery also depends on how the patient cares after the surgery. In this post, we will see why it is important to follow post-op instructions after orthopedic surgery.

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What is Post-Operative Care?

Post-operative care is the care that a person needs to do after surgery. The type of care required depends on the type of surgery. After orthopedic surgery, it is also important to ensure proper post-operative care for better and quicker recovery. 

Post-operative care involves wound care and pain management. It starts right after the surgery and every single instruction given by the surgeon must be followed. Based on the type of orthopedic surgery performed, the surgeon will guide the patient on what needs to be done and how the surgical wound should be managed. 

We advise everyone to ask the surgeon for post-operative instructions before going for surgery. Always remember, following post-op instructions is important for improved recovery. 

What Are the Types of Post-Operative Care?

Post-operative care is important in the hospital as well as at home. Hence, it can broadly be classified as:

• Post-operative care in hospital

• Post-operative care at home

Let us have a detailed look:

Post-Operative Care in Hospital

As soon as the surgery is complete, the patient is transferred to the recovery room for monitoring. From here starts the post-operative care in the hospital. It might take a couple of hours for the patient to wake up because of the effect of anesthesia. Nurses will monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature to confirm that everything is under control. 

The decision of whether an overnight stay is required or not depends on the type of surgery performed. Here are the types of surgeries that are performed:

Outpatient Surgery

It is often a minor surgery in which the patient admits to the hospital on the same day of surgery. During these surgeries, there is no need for an overnight stay until the patient complains of any post-surgical complications. After the routine assessment, the patient is discharged.

Inpatient Surgery

This is often a major one and requires an overnight stay after the surgery for post-operative care. Sometimes, the patient may need to stay for a couple of days or more after the surgery. This totally depends on the severity of the surgery and the condition of the patient. 

Post-Operative Care at Home

Now, this is where the real job is. Once you are at home, you need to be extra cautious. Before your discharge slip is prepared, the orthopedic surgeon will give you a set of instructions that you need to follow at home. If you have any doubts or queries, ask the surgeon right on the spot. 

The care you need for the operated site at home is known as post-operative care at home. Rest is most important after coming home. Besides this, make sure not to overdo things as this could make the condition worse and you may need to visit the hospital again. 

If you are planning for an international conference on orthopedics, then register for AAOS Annual Conference 2023. The event will go live on 7-11 March 2023.