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Going back to school after orthopaedic surgery

Most children are able to return to school after surgery and this is something we encourage to stop them from missing too much school time and minimise disruption to your child’s education.

To make sure your child has a smooth return to school we would advise you to speak to your child’s ‘form teacher’ as soon as you know your child has been placed on the waiting list for surgery. Below is a list of suggested questions for the surgeon.  The answers to these will help your school to decide what support your child may need when they ready to return to school.

Questions to ask the surgeon before your child’s orthopaedic surgery

  • How long will my child be in hospital?
  • Will my child have a plaster cast after surgery?
  • Will the cast be up to the knee or encase the whole leg? (Some casts especially for hip surgery, called hip spicas limit children to a fixed seating position. These cases should be discussed individually with the surgeon and health professional before surgery).
  • How long will the plaster cast have to be in place?
  • Will my child require any further support or protection after surgery?
  • How long will it be before my child is able to walk after surgery?
  • Will they be able to walk normally?
  • Will they only be able to weight bear on one leg?
  • Will they need a walking aid?
  • How long will these limitations on walking be for?
  • When is it acceptable medically for my child to return to school?
  • When is my child going to have to return to the outpatient clinic?
  • When can my child resume P.E.?
  • When can my child resume ‘contact sports’?

Discussion with your child’s school

Once you have the answers to these suggested questions you should discuss them with your child’s ‘form teacher’ or ‘head teacher’.

All schools have their own limitations and therefore the safe return to school can only be decided upon on an individual basis.

Useful contacts

Your consultant’s secretary 0114 271 7000 (hospital switchboard) and ask switch board for your orthopaedic consultant’s secretary.

The Hospital and Home Education Service Head of Sector on 0114 271 7226.

If you have any of the following professionals involved in your child’s care, contact them for help and advice:

  • Community physiotherapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • School nurse

At your child’s school you can contact the Special Educational Needs Co Ordination Officer (there should be a named teacher at your child’s school with this role).

You can also contact  the Special Education Needs Team on 0114 273 6394

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

 

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Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

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NHS

Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TH

United Kingdom

Switchboard: 0114 271 7000

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