Start now. Take care of yourself. Preparing for wrist replacement begins a few weeks before the actual surgery. This is your time to put your health first, so your recovery from surgery can go as smoothly as possible.
How should I
prepare for surgery?
In the weeks ahead
Exercise under your doctor’s supervision.
Get a physical.
Get a dental checkup.
Stop smoking.
Lose weight if you’re overweight.
Closer to the surgery
Arrange a pre-surgery visit with your doctor.
Get lab tests that the doctor orders.
Complete health forms.
Prepare and freeze some meals to make it easier when you get home.
Choose and talk to a physical therapist to learn some important activities for after surgery.
Talk to your surgeon’s team about if or when to stop your routine medications.
The night before
Fast – nothing to eat or drink.
Bathe the surgical area with the antiseptic solution provided to you.
The
day
of surgery
Every hospital has its own procedures, but you may expect to follow this basic routine:
Arrive at the hospital at your appointment time and complete the registration and admission process.
Your care team will assess your vital signs (like blood pressure and temperature) and your general health.
You’ll change into a hospital gown and likely settle into a pre-surgery room.
Your anesthesiologist and operating room nurse will come in to talk with you, and the team will start the IV (intravenous) line that will be used to administer fluids and medication.
Your family can stay with you until the team wheels to the operating room where your orthopaedic surgeon and your surgical team will perform your wrist surgery.
After the surgery, you’ll be wheeled into a recovery room where your recovery team will monitor your vital signs until you’re ready for transport to your hospital room.
From there, the hospital floor nursing team will continue to monitor your vital signs and your incision site and dressing.
You may be surprised how quickly you’ll be evaluated by a physical therapist. The team will get you moving with special post-op activities. You’ll also be allowed to eat and drink as you can tolerate it.
Talk to your
doctor
Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks. Your surgeon can explain all of the possible complications of the surgery, as well as side effects, in greater detail.