FITNESS FOR SURGERY

Hi Patrick,

I’ve been to see the hip consultant and I have surgery arranged for 4 months time. I’ve been told to try to improve my fitness before the surgery so it’s successful. The surgeon didn’t really tell me why this is. Do you know any more about why this would be and what I can do to increase my fitness without damaging my hip further? Thanks in advance.

Serena, Fermoy

Hi Serena,

Thank you for your query. This is a great point and one I’d be delighted to discuss in detail.

Firstly, it is important to be of good overall health and have the strongest possible immune system before and after any surgery in order to minimise the risk of infection.

Regarding fitness, the type of fitness we refer to is not that of an athlete or sportsperson but rather a combination of how fit your cardiac, pulmonary and metabolic systems are. If these systems fall below the necessary standard, you will be at a greater risk of suffering complications. Such complications can result in slower recovery times and generally poorer outcomes.

So, it is vitally important to have an optimal exercise routine along with a nutrition plan to maximise your overall health and fitness. Unfortunately, it would be too difficult for me to give you specific exercise advice without having assessed your hip beforehand. We have recently invested in a new, state of the art testing system called PNOE which offers incredibly accurate information regarding each of these systems. From our assessments, we will be able to develop a specific, tailored preoperative exercise regimen that will improve your fitness scores and will help you to:

• Reduce your risk of post-operative complications

• Improve your cardiac and lung health

• Prepare your muscles for the rigours of the surgery and afterwards

• Reduce your recovery times

• Improve your overall recovery

• Quickly return to work, normal activities or sport So if you would like to see where your fitness levels are at and how to improve them before surgery please let us know. Our staff are here to help. Thanks, Patrick