Nutrition Before and After Orthopedic Surgery

Food is essential to fuel your body—and what you eat becomes even more important if you need to have orthopedic surgery.

“Recovery takes significant energy,” says Olivia Morgan, RD, a Mass General Brigham registered dietitian and sports nutrition expert. “Optimizing your nutrition before and after an orthopedic surgery can help you heal and recover more quickly.”

Morgan shares more tips below on optimal meal timing and what foods to focus on pre- and post-orthopedic surgery to get back on track.

Nutrition for surgery recovery

Your body needs energy to recover from orthopedic surgery, whether it’s a joint replacement for your hip or knee, or treatment for an injury, such as a muscle sprain or strain, bone fracture, or an overuse injury. What you do to prepare for surgery, as well as after, helps ensure a smooth recovery.

Food provides energy that helps your body heal after the operation. “Focus on eating consistently and getting nutrient-dense meals throughout your pre- and post-surgery period,” Morgan says.

She also recommends that you:

• Eat breakfast within 90 minutes of waking up.
• Space out meals and snacks every 3 to 4 hours. This regulates your blood sugar and helps with muscle maintenance.
• Include a carbohydrate and protein source in every meal and snack.

What to eat after surgery to heal faster

A registered dietitian can work with you to develop personalized nutrition recommendations for before and after surgery. They give recommendations based on your specific injury and treatment, as well as your individual past medical history. If you’re an athlete, a dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition may also take into account your specific athletic goals.

Certain nutrients and types of food may help your body recover more quickly after orthopedic surgery, including:

Protein

Protein helps build and maintain muscle normally, but it also helps with tissue healing and repair after surgery. Morgan recommends aiming for at least 15 to 20 grams of protein per meal or snack to help your body recover. Twenty grams of animal protein is about the size of your palm or a deck of cards.

It’s normal to have a small appetite in the first few days after surgery. You may want to try plain foods that are high in protein first, like eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, or chicken.

Other examples of protein sources include:

• Beans
• Lentils
• Dairy products
• Meat, fish, and other poultry
• Nuts and seeds
• Soy (tofu)
• Quinoa

Anti-inflammatory foods

Reducing inflammation is an important part of the healing process. Certain foods can help naturally lower inflammation while you’re recovering from an injury or surgery.

Anti-inflammatory foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables that are naturally darker in color, like cherries, dark leafy greens, and dark berries.
• Foods rich in omega-3, a fatty acid that lowers inflammation. Examples include fatty fish like salmon or tuna, avocado, flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

Foods rich in antioxidants

Antioxidant-rich foods are another way to help reduce inflammation before and after surgery. They also fight cell damage to help with recovery. Specific foods rich in antioxidants include:

• Citrus fruits, like oranges and clementines
• Berries, like blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries
• Mango
• Tomatoes, carrots, or bell pepper
• Dark leafy greens
• Nuts
• Olive oil

Foods rich in calcium

Morgan recommends eating 3 calcium-rich foods every day to maximize your bone health and promote healing. This might include:

• Dairy products, like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese
• Broccoli and other dark leafy greens
• Fortified grains
• Dairy alternatives, like soy milk

Vitamins and supplements post orthopedic surgery

It’s important to get enough micronutrients while you’re preparing for and recovering from orthopedic surgery. Taking a daily multivitamin with at least 1,000 to 2,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D can help meet those needs. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, another important part of recovery.

Morgan recommends using caution with other dietary supplements and discussing any changes with your medical team. “Supplements aren’t regulated like food or medications,” she explains. “But if you need to, choose supplements that are third-party verified. These bottles have an icon from the BSCG, Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport, or USP.”

Work with a registered dietitian on a pre- and post-surgery diet for healing

Preparing for and recovering from surgery can be a stressful experience. You may feel ready to heal and get back to daily life as quickly as possible. Working with a registered dietitian before and after orthopedic surgery can help optimize your nutrition for a smoother recovery. They can also make recommendations to help fuel your body before and after physical therapy.

“The food you eat is a powerful tool in your recovery journey,” Morgan says. “A registered dietitian can work with you to develop a plan based on your unique nutritional needs and goals.”