Orthopedic surgery is an invasive procedure that involves making an incision and applying orthopedic implants to stabilize the fracture or correct any deformities. It is the last treatment option when all others fail. A successful orthopedic surgery doesn’t mean that everything is done rather, there is also an importance of post-operative care. In this post, we will see what post-operative care is and why it is important after orthopedic surgery.
What Does Post-Operative Care Mean?
Recovery after surgery is not an easy ask as, during that phase, a person goes through a lot. This includes both physical and emotional factors. Relying on someone for doing simple routine tasks is debilitating and no one wants to do that, but this becomes necessary. This is what the concept of post-operative care is.
Post-operative care means looking after the operated site to ensure quicker and better recovery. This involves avoiding stress on the injured limb/area, resting, and exercising as suggested. Post-operative care starts right after the patient comes out of the operation theatre. The goal of post-operative care is to keep monitoring the surgical wound until it heals.
If we talk about orthopedic surgery, then it involves the use of trauma implants. Hence, special care is required in such cases as even slight negligence can cause severe complications.
Recovery after surgery can be slow and stressful, hence, patience is needed. Proper post-operative care will ensure improved and faster recovery with minimal chances of post-surgical complications. However, the recovery will also largely depend on the type of surgical procedure, the medical history of the patient, and overall health.
Is Post-Operative Care the Same for All?
Well, this is the question of many and many think that it is the same. However, this is not the case. Post-operative care is different for every patient, and it depends on the type of surgery. Besides this, the location of the injury and the type of orthopedic implant used also decides the post-operative care plan.
The post-operative care plan not only includes exercises but also features a diet plan, lifestyle changes, and pain management. It requires consultation with a rehabilitation specialist who will guide you on getting acquainted with daily routine until the recovery occurs.
What is the Importance of Post-Operative Care?
Well, it won’t be wrong to say that post-operative care is not an option, rather, it is necessary. After orthopedic surgery, our body needs special care to regain strength and avoid any post-surgical complications. This is where one needs post-operative care. There are a lot of benefits of post-surgical rehabilitation, and this includes:
- Managing post-operative pain
- Regaining strength
- Return to everyday activities faster
- Improve overall health
- Avoid exertion on the body
What is the Difference Between Post-Operative Care in Hospital and at Home?
Post-operative care starts right after the patient comes out of the operation theatre. At first, he is taken to the recovery room for monitoring before shifting to the ward. This is where post-operative care in the hospital starts.
Care After Surgery in Hospital
In the hospital, the hospital staff ensures that everything is being taken care of after the patient comes out of the operation theatre.
Depending on the surgery, the patient may need to stay in the hospital overnight or be discharged the same day after surgery. This totally depends on the type of surgery, the severity of the injury, and the location. After coming to the recovery room, the hospital staff will monitor blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and breathing. Besides this, the hospital staff will also examine the surgical wound to check for bleeding or infection. The patient will move to the hospital room after he is stable and regains consciousness.
Based on the assessment, the orthopedic surgeon will decide whether an overnight stay is necessary or not.
In outpatient surgeries, an overnight stay is generally not required. The patient is discharged the same day until he/she shows any signs of post-operative problems.
While on the other hand, inpatient surgical procedures often demand an overnight stay(s). This is because such surgeries are often bigger and require at least 24–48 hours of stern care. In such surgeries, the orthopedic specialist only discharges the patient after confirming that he/she is stable and the situation is well under control.
So, it won’t be wrong to say that post-operative care in the hospital is critical in the overall recovery process. During discharge, the patient must ask the orthopedic specialist about the care he/she needs at home. This is where the concept of post-operative care at home comes in.
Care After Surgery at Home
After the patient comes home, similar care is a must like a hospital staff was giving. The doctor will already provide you with a set of instructions that you need to follow at home. The instructions will vary depending on the surgery and its location. Here, it is also important not to miss doctor’s appointments for a routine checkup and healing progress.
If the doctor has advised rest, do not ignore, or overdo things. This will do more harm than good. Besides this, do attend physiotherapy sessions as advised and chose an experienced physiotherapist. The recovery may be slow and steady so, be patient and trust the process.
During the recovery process, make sure to tell the orthopedic specialist about any complications like fever, irritation, swelling, or anything else you are feeling. Based on that, the healthcare service provider will decide on further management of the symptoms.
Some orthopedic surgeries are complicated enough that even after discharge from the hospital, it is not possible to take care of yourself at home. In such cases, a caregiver will be required for the initial recovery period.
How to Take Care of the Incision?
After the surgery, the surgical wound requires special care. It is important to keep it dry and covered. Besides this, wound cleaning must also be done as advised. Make sure to pat dry the surgical area after taking bath. Avoid rubbing the area over the incision as it may cause bleeding, infection, or other complications.
If you experience bleeding on the incision, apply gentle pressure to stop it. However, if it persists or is heavy, immediately contact the doctor. Again, signs like swelling, redness, tenderness, drainage, or extensive pain in the surgical wound also demand a doctor’s assistance.
Don’t hesitate to ask the healthcare service provider about the details of incision care. This is because any negligence can increase the risk of infection.
To get a CE-certified range of orthopedic implants and instruments, connect with Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. We are an experienced orthopedic device manufacturer in India with over 3 decades in the industry. Siora is also an experienced OEM/contract manufacturing service provider across the globe.
