Questions to Ask Your Care Team Before Orthopaedic Surgery
Bring this checklist to pre-op visits. Check off items as you discuss them with your child’s surgeon, pediatrician, and anesthesia team.
Child’s name: ______________________________ Surgery type/date: _____________________
Surgeon: _________________________________ Hospital: _____________________________
1) Goals & decision making
■ What problem is this surgery trying to fix (pain, function, positioning, hygiene, hip stability, scoliosis, walking)?
■ What happens if we wait or don’t do surgery now?
■ What are the realistic benefits for my child specifically?
■ What are the biggest risks for my child specifically?
■ How will we measure success (comfort, participation, mobility, caregiving)?
2) Medical history & planning
■ Are there any medical issues that increase anesthesia or surgical risk for my child?
■ Are there medication allergies or reactions to tape/adhesives/latex we should plan for?
■ Who should complete the pre-op physical exam (pediatrician, complex care team)?
3) Anesthesia & pain control
■ Will an anesthesiologist experienced with CP be involved?
■ What is the plan to reduce aspiration risk (reflux meds, suctioning, induction plan)?
■ What is the plan for pain control (nerve block/epidural/catheter + non-opioid meds)?
■ How will you limit opioids to protect breathing?
■ Is ICU admission possible after surgery? What would trigger that?
4) Seizures / neurology (if applicable)
■ Do we need neurology clearance before surgery?
■ What is the plan to keep seizure medicines on schedule while fasting?
■ What is the rescue plan if my child has a seizure around surgery?
■ Are any seizure medicines increasing bleeding risk or causing other concerns?
5) Breathing / lungs (if applicable)
■ Does my child need pulmonary or ENT evaluation (snoring/sleep apnea/aspiration history)?
■ How will you manage secretions and airway clearance after surgery?
■ If my child uses CPAP/ventilator or has a trach: what is the post-op respiratory plan and discharge plan?
6) Feeding / GI / nutrition
■ Is my child’s nutrition strong enough for healing? Should we check nutrition labs?
■ If my child has a G-tube: how does that affect surgery risk and feeding plan after surgery?
■ What is the constipation prevention plan before and after surgery?
7) Blood loss, IV access, and clot risk
■ How much blood loss is expected? Will blood counts/platelets be checked pre-op?
■ Will blood-saving steps be used (TXA, cell saver)?
■ Is my child likely to have difficult IV access? Do we need extra time or special planning?
■ Does my child need DVT prevention? What signs should we watch for?
8) Skin, wound care, and infection prevention
■ Will the team check skin before surgery for breakdown near the surgical area?
■ How will pressure sores be prevented during recovery (turning schedule, mattress/cushions)?
■ What wound care instructions should we follow at home and what signs of infection should we watch for?
9) Equipment, therapy, and discharge
■ What equipment will we need at home (wheelchair, bed, commode/toilet chair, braces/orthotics)?
■ What is the therapy plan (PT/OT) and when does it start?
■ Who do we call with urgent concerns after discharge and what symptoms require immediate care?
Reference:
Chambers HG, et al. Preoperative Evaluation of the Child With Cerebral Palsy. JPOSNA (2026).
