More than 2000 surgical procedures are performed at the Orthopaedic Department Szeged University. These can involve all non traumatic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our modern orthopaedic department uses prostheses of well-known manufacturers, we also perform arthroscopy and smaller surgeries of the hand and the foot.

Our most common surgical procedures are:

• total hip replacement
• total knee replacement
• knee arthroscopy
• forefoot deformity corrections (bunion, hammer-toe etc.)
• hand surgeries
• spinesurgeries for adults
• hip and other bone correction surgeries in childhood
• clubfoot correction
• scoliosis correction
• limb lengthening
• other procedures involving bones, joints and soft tissues of limbs

Information

Most of the surgical procedures are held in general anesthesia or – in case of lower limb procedures – in spinal anesthesia. Laboratory examinations and ECG should be taken 1 to 4 weeks before the surgery. Other examinations (such as blood type, virus screening, chest X-ray etc.) may be necessary depending on the circumstances. 1 to 2 weeks before the operation (1 to 2 days for day-case surgeries) the findings of these tests should be taken to the anesthetist assigned for the surgery. These appointments are booked for you beforehand.
In case the procedure requires only local anesthesia, usually no tests are necessary before the surgery. If even so, you will be informed at the booking procedure.

Patients are given an ambulant sheet containing the date of the surgery and other impotant data (eg. what to take to the hospital). Some medications (especially the group called NSAID) should not be taken in the last week before the surgery. Your family doctor should advise you which are these and what are the substitutes.

For major procedures – such as total hip or knee replacements, spinal surgeries -, you should arrive to the hospital one day before. You can eat and take your medications as usual. It is advised to take a few doses of your medications with you. Smaller procedures require attendance only in the morning of the surgery. You should not eat that day, and take medications only if that is totally necessary, only with a little water. If the surgery is held in the morning, you may be asked to attend the hospital in the evening before. If so, you will be informed in time.

Information on the stay in the hospital

Your most important and vital medications are supplied for yoou by the hospital Non prime necessity medication (eg. vitamins) are not necessarily supplied for you. Certainly, painkillers are given for you after the surgery.
Food is supplied 3 times a day by the hospital. You can have your own food as well, and can eat it whenever you want to. The day of the surgery is an exception – no food and drinks should be on the day of the operation, and 6 hours after it.

Cleaning of your bed is done by the personnel, you will be given sleeping clothing.

Please think about that whatever may disturb you, it may disturb others. Visitors should come only during visiting hours. Radio, portable mini tv, mobile phones are allowed but should kept quiet, so you do not disturb other patients.

Free WiFi is available at the Orthopaedic Clinic – ask the personnel for the password.

Information on leaving the hospital

Discharge is determined by your physician. Typically you can leave hospital after 5 to 10 days in case of prostheses, 1 to 2 days in case of forefoot and hand correction surgeries, 1 to 2 days after arthroscopy.
You can leave on the same day in case of day-case surgeries, usually in the afternoon or evening, but it can be only 1 to 2 hours if only local anesthesia was applied. You are asked to stay for the night only if there is a serious reason.

After discharge, you will be given a final report containing all the important data on the surgical procedure. The document may contain suggestions for further therapy (eg. physiotherapy), but further actions may have to be taken by your family doctor – for example we cannot send you directly to another rehabilitation institute.

In case further treatment, eg. physiotherapy is adviced, this will be included in the final report. Patients from the Orthopaedic Department cannot be sent to a physiotherapic institute directly – this will be arranged by your family doctor.

Information on the days after the surgery

Your surgery may go along with a few disturbancies. Pain is inevitable. Painkillers given by the doctors may differ from patient to patient. It is imortant that you inform your doctor about the extent of the pain you feel, so that the best painkilling method can be chosen for you.
Painkillers for home can be prescribed by your hospital doctor and also by your family doctor.

The bandage on your surgery wound is not water resistant, you should keep it clean and dry. Wet or bloody bandages should be replaced as soon as possible.

Many times the wound gets swollen, and even bleeding. This is only temorary, but goes along with pain. This type of pain can be relieved by ice-therapy: put ice (or frosen vegetable packs) into a towel, and push it to the affected part of your body for 15-20 minutes. You can repeat the process every 2-3 hours.

Loading ability of the joint (limb) can differ from surgery to surgery. Your final report will contain information on this.

Stiches are removed at the Orthopaedic Department. At this occasion you also recieve information on how the joint should be loaded, when you can return to work etc. After removal of stiches, little water is not harmful for the wound (you can take a shower) but bathing or going swimming is not proposed for about a week.

After most of the surgeries, so called anticoagulant medication is given for the patients preventing thrombosis to develop. In some cases it is given as a pill, in some cases it is an injection. The injection can be given by yourself after you are thought how to use it. A strip or compression stockings should be used along with this medication.

When you are at home, and feel sudden pain, hotness, or reddened skin, you should go back to the hospital immediately to prevent further adverse reactions. These symptoms suggest inflammation, which can be treated easier at an early stage, while later even another surgery may be necessary.

Information on convalescence after surgery

Total hip replacement

3 to 6 months are required for total recovery. However, light physical activity (eg. driving a vehicle) can be done 6 to 8 weeks after the operation. After total recovery, there are no limitations in everyday activities, even light sport activities can be practised.

Knee arthroscopy

Total recovery requires 3 to 4 weeks, but the knee can be lightly used after a few days. Sporting activities can be started 6 weeks after the procedure.

Unicondylar knee replacement

Total recovery is 2 to 3 months, but lighter activities (eg. driving) are possible 6 weeks after the surgery.

Total knee replacement

3-6 months are required for total recovery, until tissues detached during the surgery are totally regenerated. Under ideal conditions, lighter physical activities – such as driving a vehicle – are allowed 6-8 weeks after the surgery. After total recovery, no limitations in physical activities are necessary.

Corrections on the great toe (bunion) and surgery for stiff great toe (hallux rigidus)

Total recovery is 1-3 months depending on the type of surgery, but it is possible to return to work after 2-6 weeks. It is advisable to clarify these facts with the doctor before surgery.

Hammer (mallet)-toe correction

Total recovery is 2 to 4 weeks depending on the type of the procedure, but the patient can return to work in a few days (it is very important to keep the wound clean and dry!).