Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for an orthopaedic operation means understanding the decision and making the recovery plan workable. Your hospital’s individual instructions take priority over a general checklist. Keep those instructions with your medical records and ask about anything that is unclear before the day of admission.

Understand the proposed operation

Be clear about the problem being treated, the intended benefit, reasonable alternatives and the important risks. Ask what might remain difficult afterwards and what rehabilitation is expected. Write down questions about your own priorities, such as caregiving, work, travel or a particular activity. The consent discussion should address those concerns as well as the procedure’s name.

Confirm the proposed hospital, treating team and arrangements for follow-up. Ask for an explanation of anticipated costs and what is included. This website provides general preparation advice; it does not confirm a particular hospital package or operation date.

Complete the health and medication review

Preoperative assessment considers your health, medical history and home circumstances; tests depend on the operation and anaesthetic. Provide complete information about existing conditions and any recent changes. Follow the team’s preparation instructions and ask how to report illness before admission. NHS preoperative assessment

Bring a current medication list and mention allergies, previous anaesthetic problems and relevant family reactions. Include supplements and non-prescription products. Obtain clear instructions about medicines to continue, adjust or stop. Do not make those changes yourself or assume that a relative’s instructions apply to you. AAOS safety checklist

Ask the team to write down any changes, the date they begin and when the medicine should be restarted. If two clinicians give different advice, ask them to resolve it before you act. Tell the team if you cannot obtain a prescribed item or have trouble following the schedule.

Follow individual eating and drinking instructions

The hospital provides fasting instructions for your procedure. Ask exactly what is permitted and until when, including how essential medication should be taken. If you accidentally eat, drink or take something contrary to the instructions, tell the team honestly so that they can decide safely what happens next. NHS preparation guidance

Keep a written copy available to anyone helping you. Avoid relying on a remembered rule from an earlier operation. If the time of surgery changes, request updated instructions instead of deciding for yourself how to extend or end fasting.

Plan for getting home and managing daily tasks

Discuss transport, supervision and practical help before admission. Think through access to the entrance, bed, bathroom and meals. Ask whether you need equipment, how to use it and who arranges it. Explain if you live alone or if the person helping you cannot lift, drive or stay overnight.

Create a simple list of responsibilities: collecting discharge medicines, arranging follow-up transport, preparing food and keeping appointment details. Ask the hospital what discharge criteria apply and what support is available if home arrangements are insufficient. Do not equate an anticipated discharge date with a promise that you will be ready that day.

On the day and before discharge

Bring the documents and belongings requested by the hospital, together with contact details for your support person. Repeated checks of identity, allergies, the procedure and surgical site are part of the safety process. Speak up if any information seems incorrect. NHS day-of-surgery guide

Before discharge, request the wound-care, medication, activity and follow-up instructions in writing. Ask who to contact during and outside normal hours, and what should lead directly to emergency care. Have any walking aid or essential transfer demonstrated and practise with supervision. The person helping you should know where the instructions are kept, but emergency assessment must never wait for a routine appointment or messaging response.