Patient Guide: How to Prepare for Surgery

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For example, much of the preparation for a successful procedure starts before the day of surgery, say orthopaedic foot and ankle specialists. Medical testing should be done prior to surgery, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, to confirm your health is good enough for surgery.

For some patients, medications must be stopped. Drugs such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can increase bleeding during surgery. Some over-the-counter medicine and herbal supplements may also have to be stopped.

In addition, patients who smoke should stop before any foot or ankle surgery. Smoking before or after surgery can increase the risk of complications and slow healing time, so your orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist will encourage you to stop smoking well before surgery. Your surgeon or your primary doctor can offer advice and resources for how to quit.

Other tips in the series include a guide to what to bring to the hospital the day of your surgery, discussion of who you will meet from the surgical team, and what to expect when you are home and recovering. To learn more about how to prepare before surgery and how to manage the day of and immediately after, consult the new three-part series on How to Prepare for Orthopaedic Foot or Ankle Surgery at FootCareMD.org. FootCareMD.org, the patient education site of the AOFAS, offers comprehensive articles on foot and ankle conditions and their treatments.

About Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons are medical doctors (MD and DO) who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment, both surgical and nonsurgical, of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the foot and ankle. Their education and training consists of four years of medical school, five years of post-graduate residency and often a fellowship year of specialized surgical training. These specialists treat patients of all ages and perform reconstructive surgery for deformities and arthritis, treat sports injuries, and manage foot and ankle trauma.

About the AOFAS
As the professional organization of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons, the AOFAS supports the specialty and other healthcare providers through evidence-based and best-practice education and research. The Society provides leadership in foot and ankle surgery, serving as a resource for government and industry as well as the national and international healthcare communities, and promotes preventive foot and ankle care.

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Related Links

http://www.aofas.org