Getting fit for surgery

How can I get in the best condition before knee surgery?

Going through major surgery is like running a marathon. There are a number of things you can do to give yourself the best chance of a good recovery with minimal complications.

•Nutrition

A good diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as proteins can help wound healing and also gives you energy to recover from your surgery, meaning you get home and back to normal life sooner. 

•Physical fitness

Exercise and any form of  physical activity you do will mean your body is as fit as possible before the surgery.It might be difficult to exercise due to the problem which requires surgery,  but try to find ways of introducing some form of exercise into your life. Even 15 minutes of walking or on an exercise bike is much better than not exercising at all.

•Losing weight

Increased size makes the anaesthetic and surgery more difficult with a higher risk of having heart or breathing problems during or after the operation. There is also a greater chance of bleeding, wound infection and developing blood clots in the leg. It is important to try to lose weight before your operation to reduce these risks.

•Smoking

Stopping smoking 4 weeks before your operation helps your wounds to heal but also lowers your risk of breathing and heart problems around the time of your operation. Even stopping smoking up to 3 days before surgery allows more oxygen to be transported in the blood stream. 

•Cutting down on alcohol

If you drink more than the recommended daily average (2 units for women and 3 units for men) you are at increased risk of complications around the time of your operation. Alcohol withdrawal, dehydration, infection, heart problems or bleeding. 

If you need help with any of these speak to your doctor for more advice.