Go to the page content

Pattarakon lives in Thailand and has Haemophilia A

Preparing for Elective Orthopaedic Surgery (EOS)

What could my surgical journey look like?

Before surgery

A physical examination and assessment will be performed

You and your surgeon will decide if EOS is the right option

You will meet your healthcare team

Your healthcare team will determine the best approach to physical rehabilitation

Your team will develop your personalised plans for bleeding control, anasthesia, plan, management, and venous access

Your surgery date will be scheduled

During surgery

Your healthcare team will monitor your surgery to prevent bleeding

How long your surgery will take depends on the type of surgery you are having

After surgery is performed rehabilitation will begin

After surgery

After surgery, hemostatic treatment will be administered

Pain management will be given

Rehabilitation will start

Walk aids or compression stockings may be given

Length of hospital stay will be confirmed

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?

Surgeon

Discuss outcomes of your surgery, perform the surgery, discuss rehabilitation

Haemotologist

Bleeding and clot prevention plan, present during surgery, monitoring during and after surgery

Surgical nurse

Prepare you for surgery, support you before and after

Haemophilia nurse

Your consistent partner throughout the whole process

Your healthcare team will work together to ensure all aspects of your care are covered

Others

Perhaps a dentist, psychologist, pharmacist and/or social worker may be involved

Occupational therapist

Help you prepare your home for when you leave hospital

Physiotherapist

Plan your exercise for before and after surgery

Anaesthetist

Pain management during and after surgery, maintain anasthesia

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.

ACT EOS Planning tool

Download

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.

When is your next physiotherapy appointment booked for?

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

Do you need to book a dentist appointment?

Are you eating well?

Do you have any other health concerns?

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

Do you have any concerns about getting your home ready?

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

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

Related pages

Frequently asked questions

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.