Preparing for Surgery Medical Fitness & Home Readiness
Patients who arrive medically optimized—with cardiac fitness, stable blood sugar, dental clearance, and home safety prepared—experience smoother recovery, lower infection risks, and early mobility.
Hospital OT
Class-100 Modular Laminar
Hygiene Standard
NABH Protocol
Care Model
Multidisciplinary Team
Three Pillars of Pre-Operative Preparation
Thorough preparation covers three vital areas: ensuring your heart, lungs, and blood parameters are thoroughly evaluated; adjusting ongoing medications safely under medical supervision; and arranging your home environment so that returning from the hospital is comfortable and hazard-free. Patients who enter surgery with strong quadriceps, controlled blood sugar, and clear home support recover measurably better.
Essential Tests Before Surgery
Every planned orthopaedic procedure at Shiv Orthopaedic Hospital is preceded by a standardized pre-anaesthetic evaluation:
Comprehensive Blood Work & Clotting Profile
HaematologyComplete blood count (CBC) to screen for hidden anaemia or subclinical infection; renal function tests (creatinine, electrolytes); blood sugar and HbA1c; blood grouping with cross-match; and coagulation profile (PT/INR).
Cardiovascular Evaluation & ECG
CardiologyA 12-lead ECG and 2D Echocardiography evaluated by a physician and cardiologist to confirm cardiac safety, functional exercise tolerance, and hemodynamic stability during surgery.
Chest Radiograph (X-Ray)
PulmonologyEvaluates lung clarity, breathing volume, and respiratory history to ensure smooth, safe administration and reversal of spinal or general anaesthesia.
Urine Routine & Culture Screening
Infection PreventionAn untreated, asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream and seed a newly placed implant. Urine is thoroughly screened and treated beforehand.
Dental & Oral Health Check
Oral ClearanceDental cavities, root infections, or severe gingivitis harbor bacteria that can travel haematogenously to a foreign prosthetic surface. Dental clearance is mandatory prior to elective arthroplasty.
Robotic 3D Templating & Alignment Scans
Surgical PlanningCalibrated digital X-rays and sub-millimeter CT scans for the MISSO Robotic surgery suite. These map your specific anatomical joint kinematics to determine optimal implant size and alignment angle before touching the joint.
Medication Management: What to Pause & Continue
Bring all your actual medicine strips or bottles. Never discontinue or adjust prescription medicines on your own without our anaesthetist's explicit guidance.
Blood Thinners & Antiplatelets
Medications like Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Ecosprin, Deplatt), Warfarin, or modern DOACs (Apixaban, Rivaroxaban) require an exact discontinuation and bridging schedule to avoid bleeding complications. We give you written date-wise instructions.
Diabetes Medications & Insulin
Oral hypoglycemics (such as Metformin) and insulin dosages need structured modification during fasting hours on the day before and morning of surgery to prevent hypoglycemia while keeping blood sugars tightly controlled.
Hypertension (Blood Pressure) Tablets
Most cardiac and blood pressure tablets are continued with a small sip of water on the morning of surgery as directed by our anaesthetist. Certain ACE-inhibitors or diuretics may be held on the day of surgery.
Painkillers & Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Drugs such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Diclofenac are typically stopped 5 to 7 days before surgery because they impair platelet function and increase intraoperative bleeding risk.
Ayurvedic, Herbal & Indigenous Preparations
Herbal powders, garlic supplements, ginkgo biloba, and unverified herbal medicines must be stopped 2 weeks before surgery, as several plant extracts alter blood clotting and interact with anaesthetic agents.
Changes You Can Make That Genuinely Matter
Actions you take in the weeks leading up to surgery directly impact the quality and speed of your recovery:
Stop Tobacco & Smoking
The single most effective action within your control. Tobacco severely impairs capillary blood flow, slows bone-implant osseointegration, and increases surgical wound infections. Even 2-3 weeks of abstinence makes a measurable difference.
Strict Diabetes Control
Elevated blood glucose (HbA1c > 8.0%) suppresses immune defense and significantly correlates with surgical site infection. Maintaining stable sugars ensures rapid wound closure.
Pre-habilitation Muscle Exercise
Muscle mass built before surgery is strength you do not have to struggle to rebuild afterwards. Doing guided quadriceps isometrics and ankle pumps beforehand speeds next-day ambulation.
Correct Underlying Anaemia
Low haemoglobin makes post-operative mobility exhausting and increases the likelihood of needing a blood transfusion. Iron optimization in preceding weeks restores vitality.
Healthy Weight Optimization
Every single kilogram of body weight is multiplied into 3 to 4 kilograms of mechanical force across the knee joint during walking. Gradual weight reduction eases joint stress.
Resolve Dental & Skin Issues
Complete all dental fillings, scale cleaning, or treatment of ingrown toenails and skin infections well beforehand so no microbial source exists in the body.
Preparing Your Home for Easy Recovery
Small modifications made before you go to the hospital prevent falls and make daily routines simple:
The Day Before & The Day of Surgery
Fasting Guidelines (Nil by Mouth)
Strict fasting is non-negotiable for safe anaesthesia. Typically, no solid food for 6 hours and no clear fluids for 2 hours before the scheduled time. Follow the exact hours given by our nursing staff; surgery must be postponed otherwise.
Skin Cleansing (No Shaving!)
Take a shower using the antiseptic body wash prescribed. Do NOT shave, wax, or razor the surgical area yourself at home. Razor micro-nicks invite bacterial colonization. Hair removal is performed with sterile electric clippers in the OT.
What to Leave at Home
Leave all gold jewelry, bangles, rings, and expensive electronics at home. Remove all nail polish and mehndi from hands and feet so digital pulse oximetry sensors can monitor oxygen levels accurately.
What to Bring on Admission
Bring your complete file of original scans, blood reports, list of medicines, Aadhaar card, Ayushman/Maa card or insurance e-card, loose comfortable front-open clothing, and flat, non-skid walking shoes.
Surgery Scheduled? Ask Us Anything
Our clinical nursing team and insurance coordinators are available to clarify fasting instructions, cashless mediclaim pre-authorization, or pre-admission formalities.