Preparing for Elective Orthopaedic Surgery (EOS)

What could my surgical journey look like?

What will my healthcare team look like?

Your haemophilia care centre team will likely be involved in all stages of the planning, execution, recovery and rehabilitation after surgery; but who are they?

Preparations for surgery

If you or a loved one has made the decision to go ahead with EOS then we want to help you with some pre-surgery preparations. You can find more detailed information the ACT EOS Planning tool.

Physiotherapy

Before surgery, your physiotherapist will teach you exercises to strengthen your body. These exercises will be personalised for you and the type of surgery you will be having. Sticking to your physiotherapy plan is crucial to getting the most out of your surgery.

Physical and dietary preparations

These simple steps may help you to get ready for surgery and recover more quickly. Before your operation you should:

Make sure any tooth or gum problems are fixed to reduce infection risk
Eat healthily – but do not diet unless advised
Cut down or quit smoking
Do not drink alcohol for at least 2 days before surgery – your healthcare team may recommend avoiding alcohol for some time afterwards, too
Tell your healthcare team if you get any infections the week before surgery – including a cold or fever

Preparing your home

Remove rugs/loose carpets and tidy cables so you do not trip over them
Rearrange furniture to create room for wheelchairs/walking frames
Consider installing a raised toilet/toilet seat and handrails, and putting a chair and grip bars in your bath/shower
Set up an area where you can spend most of your recovery, with a bed or armchair, and a table for drink/food/TV remote/ books/telephone/radio, and a bin nearby
Gather useful items such as a shoehorn, long-handled bath sponge and grabbing tool
Freeze some healthy meals and buy disposable cutlery and dishes
Apply for a temporary disabled parking permit

Informing your employer/ education institution about your surgery

Your healthcare team will guide you on how much time you need for rehabilitation after surgery
You will need to rest and perform your exercises during this time to achieve your planned outcomes
Your haemophilia nurse will be able to help you with getting a doctor’s certificate to show your employer/education institution
Your employer or educational institution will be able to support you before, during and after surgery, especially if they have plenty of information and know how to support and what to look out for

Click QR codes below to access downloadable sheets to help in your discussions with your employer/education institution. You can print off the sheets by visiting the web.

Find out more

If you would like further information or support on any of the points discussed on this page, please download the ACT EOS Planning tool.

Always discuss your individual surgery plan with your healthcare team first.

References

Hum D. Challenges Choices Decisions. Canadian Hemophilia Society;2010.
Escobar MA et al. Haemophilia. 2018;24:693-702
Stephensen D. Haemophilia. 2005;11 Suppl 1:26-29

What is Elective Orthopaedic Surgery (EOS)?

Explore the benefits and risks of EOS and learn about the different types of surgical procedures.

The surgical journey & aftercare

What to expect before, during and after surgery including support for rehabilitation and pain management.

Frequently asked questions

Read through some commonly asked questions surrounding Elective Orthopaedic Surgery (EOS).

This material is for educational and informative purposes only. It should not replace any advice or information provided by your haemophilia specialist and/or other healthcare professionals. Surgery in patients with haemophilia (with or without inhibitors) can carry specific risks that should be carefully assessed and discussed with your haemophilia specialist and multidisciplinary care team. Surgery in patients with haemophilia (with or without inhibitors) should always be done in consultation with a specialised haemophilia treatment centre.