Q. If I encounter any problems whom do I contact?
A. You will need to contact the hospital where your surgery was performed or the secretaries on 01283 566333 Ext 5234.
Q. Can I drive myself home after surgery?
A. After surgery - if you have had a general anaesthetic - you will not be able to drive home because you may still be affected by the anaesthetic. For knee surgery you may drive when you can stamp the floor without hesitation (up to six weeks). For shoulder surgery you may drive when you can twist a steering wheel with the operated arm.
Q. How much time will I need to take off work following surgery?
A. You should be prepared to take one or two weeks off work at least. Some shoulder surgery will need three months or more before a return to manual work. Please see specific operative information for more idea about this.
Q. When can I exercise and return to normal activities?
A. During the first two weeks, care needs to be taken to avoid stretching the healing scars.Once the stitches are removed then a gradual return to activity is recommended. The actual time taken depends on the type of surgery. Please see the section on procedures for more specific advice
Q. How soon can I fly after surgery?
A. This varies according to type of surgery.As a principle, the risk of a DVT(deep vein thrombosis)rises after major surgery and therefore we recommend that no long haul flights are taken within three months of joint replacement surgery.
You should be able to fly safely within three weeks of arthroscopic surgery
A. You will need to contact the hospital where your surgery was performed or the secretaries on 01283 566333 Ext 5234.
Q. Can I drive myself home after surgery?
A. After surgery - if you have had a general anaesthetic - you will not be able to drive home because you may still be affected by the anaesthetic. For knee surgery you may drive when you can stamp the floor without hesitation (up to six weeks). For shoulder surgery you may drive when you can twist a steering wheel with the operated arm.
Q. How much time will I need to take off work following surgery?
A. You should be prepared to take one or two weeks off work at least. Some shoulder surgery will need three months or more before a return to manual work. Please see specific operative information for more idea about this.
Q. When can I exercise and return to normal activities?
A. During the first two weeks, care needs to be taken to avoid stretching the healing scars.Once the stitches are removed then a gradual return to activity is recommended. The actual time taken depends on the type of surgery. Please see the section on procedures for more specific advice
Q. How soon can I fly after surgery?
A. This varies according to type of surgery.As a principle, the risk of a DVT(deep vein thrombosis)rises after major surgery and therefore we recommend that no long haul flights are taken within three months of joint replacement surgery.
You should be able to fly safely within three weeks of arthroscopic surgery
