Diet & Nutrition for Orthopaedic Patients
Following a healthy diet is essential for the effectiveness of your rehabilitation plan following surgery. You must intake healthy foods to maintain the recovery process. Healthy nutrition also gives you the energy needed to perform physiotherapy.
If you have certain conditions, including obesity, kidney disease, and diabetes, your orthopaedic doctor will provide you with special post-operative and preoperative care instructions.
The Food Pyramid
The Food Pyramid is a visual guide to the proportions and types of food we must eat to maintain good health. The pyramid has five core food groups and indicates how much of them you need to consume to have a balanced diet.
You need adequate carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fats, and vitamins to ensure proper and quick healing in the recovery stage. An excellent way to maintain a balanced diet is to follow the Food Pyramid.
Increase
Eat more vegetables, fruits, and salads. You should try to consume up to seven servings per day.
Decrease
Reduce your intake of processed foods, sugars, high-fat foods, and fizzy drinks.
Size matters
The Food Pyramid provides a clear indication of the serving size for each core food group. When you're discharged from the hospital after surgery, you'll likely have resumed eating your regular diet.
If you're still recovering in post-operative care, you may need additional nutritional supplements.
Following surgery, many patients complain about constipation, which may be due to specific medication and lack of activity. You may be advised to take stool softeners or laxatives for a few weeks. Increasing your fibre and water intake will also help facilitate bowel movement.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are more prone to developing infections following surgery. To prevent this, make sure your blood sugar levels are low before and after the surgery. Your blood sugar levels must be 5.7 mmol/L, and your HBA1C levels should be below 5.6%.
Obesity
Another risk factor of developing infections is obesity. It can also cause aesthetic complications during surgery. Therefore, if your body mass index (BMI) is above 40, it is advised that you reduce it before undergoing surgery.
You should consult your general practitioner about the weight loss options that may work for your particular circumstances.