Image Credit: Mount Sinai
“Wellbeing is about the combination of our love for what we do each day, the quality of our relationships, the security of our finances, the vibrancy of our physical health, and the pride we take in what we have contributed to our communities. Most importantly, it’s about how these five elements interact.”
– Tom Rath
Article Authors: Gordon Slater| Tandose Sambo
If your joints become damaged via medical conditions such as advanced arthritis, one of the best ways to treat the conditions will be via a surgical procedure that is known as joint reconstruction. During the procedure, a reconstruction of the joint will occur, while preserving the maximum existing tissues.
There are a variety of reconstructive surgeries of the joint, and your orthopaedic surgeon will determine the best path for you. Typical options include arthroscopy, osteotomy and arthrodesis.
It will be important for you to ensure that you are abiding to the post operative care practices, in order to minimise the odds of any complications during the healing time frame. For orthopaedic surgical cases, patients can develop complications such as site infections and blood clots. In order to prevent these hindrances to recovery, there are practices that you can implement after your surgery.
Before Your Joint Reconstruction Surgery
Preparation is always the key to a successful joint reconstruction surgery. Prior to your surgery a preliminary diagnosis, analysis of your medical history and your surgical plan would have been discussed by your orthopaedic team. Any pre-existing conditions can be managed, in order to prevent complications after surgery. One great practice that you must implement prior to surgery is to quit smoking. Smoking has downstream effects on healing of the body, and must be avoided at all costs.
After Your Joint Reconstruction Surgery
Post your surgery, it is important to ensure that your joint site is kept clean, in order to minimise the odds of infection. Your orthopaedic surgeon will prescribe antibiotics in order to control the condition. Notify your orthopaedic surgeon if you notice any abnormal symptoms such as fever, swelling and pain, or any seepage from the surgical site. Minor wound infections are treatable via intravenous antibiotics, while adverse conditions will require re-entry via an additional surgery.
Always ensure that you are paying attention to how your body is feeling after you have had a surgical procedure conducted. With your orthopaedic surgeon’s help, you will be able to minimise the pain you experience, optimise your healing time and prevent additional complications. Incorporating an adequate physical therapy plan, will ensure that full mobility is achieved.
Article Reference: https://www.oaidocs.com/2022/11/25/how-to-prevent-complications-after-joint-reconstruction-surgery/
