In most cases, surgery will be followed by a tailored physiotherapy protocol. This is to help you improve range of motion, strength and flexibility, and may continue for several months. Clinical sessions may be augmented with at-home exercises, if required.
Keeping your surgical site clean and dry can help to reduce the risk of post-operative infection. Unless told otherwise, you should be able to shower normally, and clean the surgical site with warm water and soap. When drying, ensure you pat the area dry, rather than wipe. Where the site needs to remain dry, you will be instructed on how to waterproof the area using a bag.
The wound dressing you receive following your surgery is typically waterproof and will be worn for several days, unless it becomes dirty or loose. In this case, it will require changing. This can be done by a community nurse if required.
You may experience swelling for up to six months following your surgery. This can be reduced using elevation and the application of wrapped ice for up to 20 minutes.Brusing in the area of your surgical site is also normal.
Surgical sutures do not normally require removal the site becomes infected. If required, due to contamination or location, this will be identified and completed during wound check at your first post-operative clinical visit. This appointment is normally scheduled 7-14 days after your surgery.
When you are discharged from hospital, you should be eating and drinking normally. It is important that you remain well hydrated, and that you avoid excessive Vitamin K intake if you are taking blood thinning medication.
You should also limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
It is important that you remain active during your recovery period, and equally important that you don’t exercise excessively.
Depending on the nature of your surgery, you may begin to walk using a walking aid. It is unlikely that you will be able to fully weightbear immediately. You should avoid using stairs if possible until your healing is advanced. When you do resume the use of stairs, you should avoid taking more than one step at a time.
When sitting, you should ensure that your chair is positioned at a height which allows you to sit and stand easily, and without excessive stress on your joints. For lower limb surgeries, you can elevate your legs using a footstool. You should avoid crossing your legs at the knees if you have undergone hip or knee surgery. You should ensure that you stand and walk at least every two hours, and move your ankles and toes when sitting, to help reduce the chance of deep vein thrombosis.
When sleeping, you should avoid sleeping on the same side as your surgical site for six weeks following your surgery.
For lower limb procedures, you can return to driving an automatic vehicle around six weeks after your surgery, provided you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication. If you drive a manual vehicle, you must wait until your leg is strong enough to operate the clutch pedal.
You may wish to use a cushion on your seat to make exiting your vehicle easier. Deep, low seats can be problematic, particularly following hip surgery.
Your return to work will depend on the nature of your job and your procedure. You can discuss how to do this safely with Prof. Al Muderis. For low-impact, office roles, it may be possible to return within two weeks.
You may consider returning to sport and other physical activity, including swimming, six weeks after surgery once your surgical site has fully healed, although you should discuss your plans with Prof. Al Muderis prior to doing so.
If you experience significant pain, bleeding or inflammation around your surgical site, or if you develop a fever, you must contact us and your local GP as soon as possible.
If you notice these symptoms outside of normal hours, you should contact the Clinical Support Team and your local emergency department. You should seek urgent medical attention if:
For further inquiries or to arrange a consultation, please contact Professor Al Muderis’ office at +61 2 88829011 or book an appointment online.
Need an urgent appointment? No problem.
Need X-rays? X-ray facilities available at all clinic locations
Professor Dr Munjed Al Muderis is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in osseointegration, hip, knee and trauma surgery. He is a clinical professor at Macquarie University and The Australian School Of Advanced Medicine, a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Chairman of the Osseointegration Group.