Preoperative information

Prepare yourself

Maintain or improve your mobility and strength as possible prior surgery.
Consider engaging a physiotherapist to help with this “prehab”.
If crutches, frames, scooters or other gait aids are likely to be required, obtain and practice using these.
Check if you need to stop taking blood thinning or any other medications and if so for how long prior.
Cease smoking if at all possible, cut down if not.
Inform us if you become unwell or develop scratches, sores, infections or ulcers on the leg being operated on.

You will be provided with an admission pack with further details when booking surgery.
Admission forms need to be completed and forwarded to the hospital well ahead.
For major joint replacements and fusions, you will be seen by nurses at pre-admission clinic to go over the planned process.
There may be imaging or pathology tests to be completed
You may need to be seen by the anaesthetist or a general physician prior to surgery.
You will need to fast prior to surgery. No food or drinks for at least 6 hours prior. If admission is in the morning fast from midnight, if in the afternoon fast from 7am.
Bring admission paperwork and imaging with you to hospital.
You will also need sleepwear, clothes, toiletries, phone charger, books or similar to pass time.
Do not apply moisturiser to the operative limb on the day of surgery.

If you expect to need crutches, walking frame or knee scooter hire these prior and bring them to hospital.
Have someone organised to pick you up from hospital on the day of discharge.
Get a chair or stool for the shower if necessary.
Stock up on food, pre-prepare meals, use online shopping.
Think about clothing. If you are required to have a cast or boot on your foot-wide pants or a skirt that can be worn over it easily are helpful.
Have some simple medical items such as dressings, Panadol, and bandages at hand.