Healing After Orthopaedic Surgery: Supporting Recovery with Good Nutrition
At Agile Ortho, we recognise that recovery continues long after an operation is complete. Alongside wound care, physiotherapy and follow-up appointments, nutrition plays an important role in helping your body heal.
We see Rebound Nutrition as a useful option for nutritional support around surgery, particularly when patients find it difficult to ingest the adequate amino acids which support cellular repair. Rebound Nutrition’s focus on surgical recovery makes it relevant to the conversations we have with patients preparing for orthopaedic procedures and helping them recover quicker.
Why nutrition matters after surgery
Whether you have had a joint replacement, fracture surgery or a shoulder procedure, your body needs nourishment to repair tissue and support recovery.
Moving less does not mean your body has stopped working hard. Healing requires energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Yet nausea, discomfort and a reduced appetite can make eating well more difficult during the early stages of recovery.
Good nutrition supports wound healing and helps maintain muscle strength. Preparing meals before your operation and arranging help with shopping can make eating well easier when you return home.
Supporting tissue repair and muscle strength
Protein provides building blocks for tissue repair and muscle maintenance. This is particularly relevant after orthopaedic surgery, when you may be using an affected limb less while gradually rebuilding strength.
A patients diet should include protein sources such as eggs, yoghurt, fish, chicken, beans, lentils or tofu throughout your day. If your appetite is small, try smaller meals and snacks instead of relying on three large meals.
Fruit, vegetables, carbohydrate foods and appropriate fluids also contribute to a balanced recovery diet. Your surgeon or dietitian can help you adapt your intake to your procedure and individual health needs. Read more about nutrition around orthopaedic surgery.
Additional support with Rebound Nutrition
For patients who need additional nutritional support, Rebound Nutrition’s RECOVER provides an amino acid drink containing vitamins and minerals, developed for use around surgery. It is a practical option to discuss with your healthcare team when planning nutrition during recovery.
Rebound’s range also includes THRIVE, a bone health formulation, and RESTORE, a joint support supplement. Each has a different focus, so choosing a product should depend on your nutritional needs, medicines and treatment plan.
Supplements complement a balanced diet and prescribed rehabilitation. While adequate nutrition supports healing, the benefits of individual nutrients should not be taken as proof that a particular product will speed up recovery for every patient.
Build nutrition into your recovery plan
Before your operation, stock up on simple meals and arrange help with food preparation if you expect your mobility to be limited. After surgery, let your healthcare team know if you are struggling to eat, losing weight unintentionally or regularly missing meals.
Discuss supplements with your surgeon, pharmacist or dietitian before starting them, particularly if you take prescription medicines. Always follow your surgical team’s fasting instructions, and only use pre-operative drinks with their approval.
At Agile Ortho, we encourage patients to consider nutrition as part of their wider recovery plan. Together with appropriate rehabilitation and clinical care, eating well helps provide the resources your body needs as you work towards greater strength, mobility and confidence..
