Preparing safely for orthopedic surgery

Understanding the diagnosis, treatment plan, and your own role can improve communication with the orthopedic team and organize recovery.

Key points

• Review the diagnosis, goal of surgery, non-surgical options, and expected outcome.
• Bring an updated list of medicines, doses, vitamins, and supplements.
• Follow fasting and medication instructions exactly as provided by the care team.
• Plan transport, mobility aids, home safety, and early support.
• Obtain written wound care, activity, rehabilitation, and follow-up instructions.

Increasing wound redness or drainage, fever, sudden calf swelling, chest pain, or breathlessness requires urgent medical advice.

Source: AAOS OrthoInfo — Patient Guide to Safe Surgery

This educational article does not replace diagnosis, treatment, or an examination by a clinician.