- SPECIALIST ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON | MELBOURNE, VIC | ALBURY, NSW | MORNINGTON, VIC |
- 03 9421 6133
- Melbourne & Mornington VIC |
- Albury, NSW
Recovering from Surgery
Your step-by-step guide to healing after your procedure with Dr Jason Hockings
The recovery period is a vital part of your surgical journey and how you care for yourself in the days, weeks, and months after surgery plays a big role in your comfort, healing, and long-term results.
This guide explains what to expect and the practical steps you can take to support your recovery.
Immediately after surgery
Following your procedure, you will be taken to the recovery area where the nursing team will monitor you closely as the effects of the anaesthetic wear off. Pain relief will be started early to keep you as comfortable as possible. You may have:
- A dressing over your surgical site
- An ice pack or cooling device to help reduce swelling
- Special stockings or compression devices to help prevent blood clots
- Your arm or leg supported in a sling or brace if required
If your procedure was performed as day surgery, you will be discharged once you are comfortable, mobile (if safe to do so), and have clear instructions for home care. For inpatient procedures, your hospital stay will usually range from 1–5 days, depending on the surgery type.
Pain management
Good pain control is an important part of your recovery. It allows you to move, exercise, and rest more comfortably, all of which are essential for regaining function and preventing complications.
Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA)
For many orthopaedic procedures, Dr Jason Hockings uses Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA) during surgery. This involves injecting a combination of long-acting local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory medication, and other agents directly into the tissues around your surgical site.
- Potential Benefits: LIA can significantly reduce pain in the first 24–48 hours, lower the need for strong narcotic painkillers, and help you start moving sooner.
- How it works with your recovery: Because pain is better controlled early, you can begin physiotherapy exercises and walking (if appropriate) within hours of surgery.
Multimodal pain relief
In addition to LIA, Dr Hockings uses a multimodal pain management approach, which may include:
- Regular anti-inflammatory medication (if safe for you)
- Paracetamol taken at scheduled times
- Stronger pain medication (opioids) for breakthrough pain
- Nerve blocks for some procedures, which can provide targeted numbness to the surgical area for a set period after surgery
At home
- Take your medication as directed, it works best when taken regularly rather than waiting for pain to become severe
- Use ice therapy or a cooling device as instructed to help reduce swelling and discomfort
- Let your care team know if your pain is not well controlled so adjustments can be made quickly
By combining LIA, scheduled medications, and non-drug measures, pain can usually be kept to a manageable level, allowing you to focus on your rehabilitation and return to daily activities sooner.
Wound care and dressings
Your surgical dressing helps protect the wound and promote healing. You will receive instructions on:
- When and how to change the dressing (if required)
- When you can shower or bathe
- Signs of infection to watch for, such as redness, swelling, increasing pain, discharge, or fever
If you have dissolvable stitches, they will break down naturally over time. If stitches or staples need removal, this will be arranged at a follow-up appointment.
Mobility and physiotherapy
Early movement is an important part of your recovery. It helps reduce the risk of complications such as blood clots, prevents stiffness, and begins the process of regaining strength, balance, and flexibility.
Your physiotherapy plan will be tailored to your specific procedure and overall health. It may begin:
- On the same day or within 24 hours after many orthopaedic surgeries
- With gentle, guided movements before progressing to more active exercises
- Using mobility aids (e.g. crutches, walker, or sling) to protect your surgical site while you heal
Physiotherapy in hospital
A hospital-based physiotherapist will usually see you soon after surgery to:
- Help you get out of bed safely
- Teach you the correct way to use mobility aids
- Begin early exercises to maintain joint movement and muscle activation
- Provide education on safe movement techniques for home
Outpatient physiotherapy after discharge
Once you leave hospital, ongoing physiotherapy is essential to continue improving your strength, range of motion, and function. This may be arranged:
- At a local physiotherapy clinic
- Through home visits if mobility is limited
- As part of a structured outpatient rehabilitation program
Rehabilitation centres
Some patients may benefit from a short stay in a rehabilitation centre after surgery. These can be:
- In-hospital rehab units – where you remain in the hospital setting but focus on intensive therapy
- External rehabilitation facilities – either live-in programs or day programs you attend several times a week
These centres provide a multidisciplinary approach with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and other specialists working together to support your recovery.
Tip: Follow your physiotherapist’s instructions closely, attend all scheduled sessions, and keep up with your home exercise program. Consistency is key to achieving the best long-term outcome from your surgery.
Activity and daily living
Returning to daily activities will depend on your type of surgery and rate of healing.
- Avoid heavy lifting, twisting, or strenuous activity until cleared by Dr Hockings
- Gradually increase your walking and general movement
- Ask for help with tasks like shopping, cleaning, or caring for pets in the early recovery phase
Nutrition and hydration
Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals helps your body repair itself. Staying well-hydrated is also important for healing, maintaining energy, and preventing constipation, a common side effect of pain medication and reduced mobility after surgery.
Your care team will monitor your bowel function during your hospital stay. In most cases, you will need to have a bowel movement before you can be discharged. This is important because:
- It confirms your digestive system is functioning normally after anaesthesia and pain medication
- It reduces the risk of discomfort, bloating, and complications such as severe constipation or bowel obstruction at home
- It ensures you can manage your bowels safely and comfortably before leaving the hospital environment
If needed, you may be given stool softeners, mild laxatives, or dietary adjustments to help stimulate bowel function before discharge. Drinking plenty of water, eating fibre-rich foods (if permitted), and walking short distances in the ward can also help get your bowels moving again.
Follow-up appointments
Regular reviews with Dr Hockings are an important part of your recovery. These appointments allow your progress to be monitored, your wound to be checked, and your rehabilitation plan to be updated as you improve.
When to contact the clinic urgently
Call Dr Hockings’ rooms or seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Fever or chills
- Increasing pain not relieved by medication
- Redness, swelling, or discharge at the surgical site
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Numbness, tingling, or sudden weakness in your limb
Long-term recovery
Full recovery can take weeks to months depending on your surgery type. Improvements in strength, mobility, and comfort often continue for up to a year after orthopaedic procedures. Staying committed to your rehabilitation program is key to achieving the best possible outcome.
If you’re experiencing ongoing pain, stiffness, or reduced movement that is affecting your daily activities or quality of life, a thorough orthopaedic assessment can help determine the cause and guide the most appropriate treatment options for your situation.