Caregiver’s guide: 6 tips for orthopaedic surgery recovery

Recovering from orthopaedic surgery is a process, and an important one at that.

“In a way, surgery is the easy part; it’s usually an hour or two, you are asleep, and we’ll do an excellent job fixing the joint or body part in question,” said Endeavor Health orthopaedic surgeon Nicholas Frisch, MD. The work that goes into recovery is as important as the surgery — if not more, he added.

“The recovery will take anywhere from a month to three months, to six months or a year depending on the procedure. It’s a dedicated effort from you, your physical therapist and often a family member or trusted caregiver,” said Dr. Frisch.

Having a trusted family member or friend to help with recovery from orthopaedic surgery can be invaluable. What specific support can caregivers provide to ensure a smooth and successful recovery for their loved ones?

6 tips for caregivers

As a caregiver, you play a vital role in helping your loved one recover from surgery. Follow these tips:

1. Attend appointments. Your presence can help your loved one deal with what can feel like an overwhelming amount of information and patient education. “It’s helpful to have the primary caregiver at the appointments, as the more people who hear all the information the better,” said Dr. Frisch. “The preop appointment can also be a good time to make sure that everybody is on the same page in terms of postsurgical restrictions and recovery plans.”
2. Know what to expect. Setting expectations is important for both your loved one and you. “The first few days after a major surgery like a knee replacement or rotator cuff repair can be rough,” said Dr. Frisch. “Offering encouragement and positivity and reminding patients that it’s going to get better, day by day, week by week, is key.”
3. Point out small gains. Highlight the small gains your loved one makes throughout the recovery. Reminders that their condition likely got worse and worse for a while before surgery, and now they are moving in a positive direction toward a better future, can be very helpful.
4. Support practical needs and logistics. This is especially true in the first few days to a week after surgery, when pain levels are higher and your loved one needs help with even basic tasks. Also, many major operations mean no driving for a period of up to six weeks, so you may need to help with errands and bring your loved one to follow-up appointments and physical therapy.
5. Assist with pain management. You can help your loved one stay on track and follow the prescribed schedule for pain medicine, especially in the time period right after surgery when they may still be coming off of anesthesia and could have trouble remembering or following instructions. Dr. Frisch and his colleagues try to minimize use of narcotics, preferring to prescribe a mixture of other medications designed to help with pain and manage inflammation and swelling.
6. Encourage your loved one to keep moving. It’s important to make sure your loved one is up and moving around and not remaining in bed despite being in pain. “For surgeries like joint replacement we want you moving as soon as possible,” said Dr. Frisch. “Moving is key to faster, better recoveries. Patients who move early and regularly do better overall with less swelling, less risk of blood clots, and a better mental attitude.” Also, encourage your loved one to begin physical therapy as early as prescribed.

Keep in mind, as you support your loved one through their recovery, it’s not uncommon to lose sight of your own needs. Caregiver burnout is real, so make sure you are prioritizing your own health, too.

Family members who are concerned about taking time off work to help with a partner or adult parent’s surgical recovery may be entitled to FMLA time off, and the physician’s office can be a good resource for the process, added Dr. Frisch.