Tips on Preparing for Knee Surgery

Dr Myles Coolican

Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result. Understanding the process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.

Sydney Knee Surgeon

Dr Coolican performs operations at the Mater Hospital, North Shore Private Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital.

Mater Hospital
Private
Rocklands Road
North Sydney NSW 2060

North Shore Private Hospital
Private
Westbourne St
St Leonards NSW 2065

Royal North Shore Hospital
Public
Reserve Rd
St Leonards NSW 2065

What to consider in the weeks before your operation

For yourself          

  • Discuss any medications you are taking with your GP or Dr Coolican to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.
  • Discuss with Dr Coolican options for preparing for potential blood replacement, including donating your own blood, medical interventions and other treatments, prior to surgery.
  • If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery will help decrease the stress you place on your new joint. However, you should not diet during the month before your surgery.
  • If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimise bleeding.
  • If you smoke, you should stop or cut down to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery.
  • Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection later.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet, supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron.
  • Report any infections to Dr Coolican. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.

At home          

  • Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry.
  • Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won't have to reach and bend as often.
  • Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls.
  • Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms.

If you are having Day Surgery, remember the following

  • Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours.
  • Do not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home.
  • The combination of anaesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting. After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours.
  • Keep your leg elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain.
  • Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty controlling the pain.

For all appointments and enquiries, please call (02) 9904 6099

8:30am to 5:30pm - Monday to Friday

Level 2, The Landmark
500 Pacific Highway
St Leonards NSW 2065
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