Preparing for Orthopaedic Surgery
Planned surgery is safer when medical problems are known, medicines are reviewed, and you understand the rehabilitation that follows. Your hospital will give the binding pre-operative instructions.
Typical hospital instructions (confirm locally)
You will usually be asked about blood thinners, diabetes medicines, and when to stop eating before anaesthesia. Arrange a responsible adult for the journey home. Treat the hospital checklist as authoritative if it differs from this educational page.
Questions worth asking
What happens if I do not have surgery? How long will I be off work? Will I need a brace or crutches? What is the plan if pain is not settling at six weeks? Write the answers down.
E-E-A-T
Written for patients, reviewed as medical education
This page is educational. It is not personal medical advice and is not a substitute for examination, imaging review or treatment planned in clinic.
- Author / reviewer
- Dr. Rahul Kumar
- Qualifications
- MBBS, M.S. Orthopedics, MRCS (Edinburgh), FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine
- Last reviewed
- 2026-10-29
- Last updated
- 2026-10-29
Awaiting medical review by Dr. Rahul Kumar