After Surgery
Your return to full function after surgery relies on giving your body adequate time to heal, and actively participating in any recommended rehabilitation programmes. There may be some temporary restrictions to your normal day-to-day activites. These restrictions are designed to ensure you heal properly without damaging your surgical repair, and to ensure your safety.
When can i drive after surgery?
If you have had a general anaesthetic you will not be able to drive for 24 hours due to the residual effects of the anasthetic medication. You will need to arrange a friend or family member to take you home from the hospital. Returning to driving after your operation will depend on the type of surgery you have had, which side of your body was operated on, and whether you drive a manual or automatic car. If you have had surgery on your knee or hip, your coordination and reflexes can be impaired for weeks. To drive safely, you need to be able to comfortably use the accelerator and brake pedals, and be able to stop suddenly in an emergency. If you have had shoulder surgery you need to be able to turn the steering wheel comfortably. You should not drive if you are taking strong pain relief, if your arm is in a sling, or if your leg is in a brace. If you drive too early after surgery you may not be covered by your insurance provider and may be liable in the case of an accident.
Listed below are rough guides for when patients can usually resume driving after surgery. Please remember everyone is different, and these times may vary considerably.
Knee arthroscopy - 1-2 weeks
ACL reconstruction - 3-4 weeks
Knee replacement - 6 weeks
Hip arthroscopy - 3-4 weeks
Hip replacement - 6 weeks
Shoulder surgery - 6 weeks
when can i return to work?
Your recovery from surgery and ability to return to work can vary considerably depending on the type of operation you have and what you do for work. Every job is different, so returning to work depends heavily on the particular physical requirements of your job. People with a sedentary occupation may be able to return to work quickly after surgery. People with jobs that require a lot of standing and walking may take many weeks to return to work. If your job is very physically demanding then it may take several months to return to full duties. If your employer can offer alternative work or light duties this can be a good way to get back to work sooner. If you need to know more about when return to work may be possible, Mr Gormack can give you a more specific estimate based on your individual circumstances.
After surgery, your ability to return to work will be reassessed at each follow-up appointment. If you require a medical certificate for your employer, please request this at the time of your appointment. Sometimes ACC or your insurance company will arrange for a formal workplace assessment with a return to work plan provided by an occupational therapist.
When will i be seen again after surgery?
While you are staying in hospital, Mr Gormack will see you each day. Your first follow-up appointment will generally be 10-14 days after surgery. This is to allow any surgical wounds to be checked, and to ensure you are making satisfactory progress in your early recovery after surgery. We have a wound care nurse specialist at our clinic, though some patients may find it easier to have this initial check done at their local GP practice. If this applies to you, please call Mr Gormack’s clinic rooms to schedule a subsequent follow-up at a later time.
How should i look after my surgical wound?
Mr Gormack uses dissolving stitches for most of his operations. Removable stitches are often used for keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) wounds. Surgical wounds will be covered with waterproof dressings. Underneath this dressing, steri strips (paper stitches) and skin glue may also be used to improve wound healing. These dressings should be left on until your follow-up appointment. It is ok to get them wet in a shower as long as you dry them carefully afterwards. If the dressings start to peel off before your follow-up, or you notice a lot of blood or yellow fluid, they will need to be changed by a nurse. You will be given an appointment to have your wounds checked 10-14 days after surgery. Any stiches that need removing will be taken out at this appointment. If you cannot get to this appointment then your GP or a registered nurse can do this for you. If you are worried about your wound at any stage please contact the Mr Gormack’s clinic.
When should i start physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is an important part of the rehabilitation after most orthopaedic operations. For the first two weeks after an operation it is best to avoid physiotherapy while your surgical wounds heal, and any initial swelling settles down. For some operations (particularly knee surgery), it is important to start working on range of motion exercises soon after surgery. A physiotherapist can help you with this. For other operations, the surgical repair needs time to heal for several weeks or even months before it is safe to start working with a physiotherapist. Mr Gormack will advise when you can start working with your physiotherapist, and what type of exercises you should be doing.
what is normal after surgery?
After surgery your body needs time to heal. It is sometimes difficult to know what is part of the normal recovery process after surgery and what might be a concern. Many side-effects are common after surgery and will resolve with time. These include:
Some swelling of your leg or foot after lower limb surgery that improves with elevation of your leg.
Swelling of your arm or hand after shoulder surgery.
Some pain, but this should be largely controlled by the pain relief you have been prescribed.
A one-off high temperature in the first few days.
Localised bruising, warmth and tenderness around your surgical wound.
Clicking sounds from your joint.
Numbness localised around the surgical wound.
Small amounts of blood or yellow (serous) fluid on your dressing.
There are certain issues after surgery that require urgent medical attention. Please seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following:
Increasing redness which spreads away from the wound.
Persistent high temperatures or fevers.
Significant bleeding or wound discharge which necessitates your dressing to be changed.
Major swelling of your leg.
Shortness of breath or chest pain.
A racing heart rate or feeling dizzy or unwell.
Severe pain not controlled with your prescribed pain relief medication.
When can i travel after surgery?
Long-distance travel after surgery can increase your risk of developing blood clots in your leg called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If these clots break off and travel in your bloodstream to your lungs (pulmonary embolus) they can be dangerous. For this reason, it is safest to avoid any non-essential long-distance travel for the first six weeks after surgery. Travelling in a car for short distances or on a domestic flight within New Zealand is relatively low risk, and can be undertaken sooner.
If you do have to travel during the first six weeks after surgery, it is important to take precautions to minimise your risk of a clot. These include staying well-hydrated, moving regularly around the plane, wearing compression stockings (TEDs) and potentially taking a blood thinner such as aspirin or an injection (Clexane) prior to your flights.