Regardless if you’re an employee, student or parent, it’s safe to assume that you have to accomplish several responsibilities during the day. Disregarding any of these responsibilities can result in stress and inconvenience not only to you, but to the people around you. However, as you age, you might not have the same strength to continue accomplishing all of these responsibilities—and your bone health might be one of the reasons why. As you start to age, your bones will begin to deteriorate, which is why you might need to undergo orthopaedic surgery.
Orthopaedic surgeons are professionals in the healthcare industry who are devoted to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Regardless of your location, you’ll be able to easily access these professionals—you can even find some once you click here. If you’re having surgery soon, don’t forget to first ask your orthopaedic surgeon the following questions:
1) Are there any alternatives to the surgery I’m going to have?
Since you already have an upcoming procedure, the surgeon might have already assessed your medical condition, considered different factors, and came up with an appropriate surgery for you. This surgery might already be explained to you weeks before. However, it never hurts to ask if there are any alternatives and why the surgeon choose a particular surgery. The information you can get from this question enables you to look at your medical condition from a broader perspective, enabling you to weigh the pros and cons of each surgery.
2) How do I manage postoperative pain?
After undergoing surgery with your orthopaedic surgeon, expect that your joint or muscle pain will be relieved. After all, this is probably the reason why you’ve decided to pay for the surgery in the first place. However, keep in mind that this surgery isn’t magic; expect that you will still experience postoperative pain. To relieve the discomfort or pain after a surgery, ask the surgeon what amount of pain is normal and when you should seek professional help. You should also inquire if there are any medicines to take after the surgery.
3) How long am I required to stay at the hospital after the surgery?
You can’t immediately go to school or work no matter how minor your surgery is. More often than not, you’ll have to spend several days in the hospital after your surgery. This is something that you should ask your surgeon. You should know how many days or weeks you should stay in the hospital after the procedure so you can make the necessary plans and adjustments. Knowing this timeline is crucial, especially if you have a full-time job or kids to take care of.
4) When can I resume my daily activities?
As mentioned, you will always have a set of daily activities to accomplish. If you have been following this routine for decades, you might want to get back on track as soon as possible even after having surgery. But no matter how tempting it can be, you should always wait for your surgeon’s go signal before you return to your daily activities. You should never decide on your own as this can have adverse effects on your surgery and even to your life in the long run.
5) What kind of activities can I participate in after the surgery?
Most people don’t want to spend the entire day staying in bed. This is especially true for people who are used to have a busy and hectic daily schedule. If you’re one of them, ask your surgeon if there are any activities that you can do after the surgery. Are you allowed to jog or walk? Are you allowed to play certain sports? Aside from combating boredom, these activities can also help in your recovery.
6) Will my insurance cover the cost of the surgery?
Money is an important factor to consider before you undergo surgery. You’d usually have to save money for a long time in order to afford the surgery. If you don’t want to be covered in debt, ask if your insurance will cover the cost of the surgery. If yes, inquire the exact amount of the coverage. Asking this question will make it easier for you to be financially prepared for the surgery.
Take Time To Ask
There are a lot of orthopaedic surgeons who are operating in the world today. However, this accessibility shouldn’t be your only consideration before undergoing surgery. If you want the surgery to run as smoothly as possible, ask the questions stated in this article. This information can help you properly set your expectations about the surgery and determine if the orthopaedic surgeon is a perfect fit for your needs and budget.
