Nutritional Prehabilitation in the Orthopaedic Trauma Patient

Abstract

Nutrition is a modifiable factor which should be optimized in the surgical patient. Peri-operative programs, such as “Strong for Surgery”, identify patients with protein malnutrition and provide resources for adequate feeding in the peri-operative period. The Orthopaedic Trauma patient benefits from this approach to encourage surgical wound healing, avoidance of septic complication, uneventful bone union, and successful rehabilitation. Acute Orthopaedic injuries requiring prompt intervention should be assessed for protein malnutrition and receive supplementation when necessary postoperatively. Patients with peri-articular fracture managed staged or for post-traumatic cases, nutrition should be assessed preoperatively and addressed prior to definitive surgical reconstruction.