What is the primary focus of pre-operative care in orthopedic surgery?

The primary focus of pre-operative care in orthopedic surgery is to ensure the patient is prepared physically and emotionally. This preparation is essential as it significantly impacts both the surgical outcome and the patient's overall experience. Pre-operative care involves a comprehensive assessment of the patient's medical history, physical condition, and psychological readiness for surgery.

This stage provides an opportunity to educate the patient about the procedure, manage expectations, and address any fears or anxieties they may have. Through a thorough pre-operative evaluation, healthcare professionals can also optimize the patient's physical health by identifying any underlying conditions that could complicate surgery or recovery. This preparation helps in facilitating a smoother surgical experience and paves the way for a more effective rehabilitation phase afterward.

The other options represent important components of the overall surgical process but are not the primary focus of pre-operative care. Prescribing pain relief medications is typically part of post-operative management, performing the surgical procedure is the surgeon's responsibility during the operation, and providing post-surgical rehabilitation instructions falls under post-operative care, not pre-operative.