What is the purpose of a preoperative orthopedic assessment?

The primary purpose of a preoperative orthopedic assessment is to evaluate the patient's overall health status. This comprehensive assessment focuses on identifying any medical conditions, risk factors, or contraindications that might impact the surgical procedure or the patient's recovery. By gathering vital information such as the patient's medical history, current medications, allergies, and physical examination findings, healthcare providers are better prepared to plan the surgery and ensure patient safety. Understanding the patient's health status helps in anticipating potential complications and tailoring postoperative care effectively, ultimately leading to improved surgical outcomes.

Scheduling the surgery date, administering pain medication, and performing post-operative checks are important aspects of the surgical process but do not directly relate to the primary goal of the preoperative assessment, which centers on assessing health readiness for surgery.