Flying after orthopaedic surgery
A patient's physical and psychological capacity to comfortably fly on a plane is affected by orthopaedic surgery.
You will experience challenges during airport transit, turbulence and comfortable sitting throughout the flight due to your surgery. Your tolerance to turbulence will be significantly affected by a fractured bone. BEFORE booking or boarding a flight, you should think about and understand the following aspects.
Flying after orthopaedic surgery
Generally, you should wait the following period before flying:
- 1-2 days post-keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery
- 1-2 days post-cast application. Please note, you will unlikely be unable to fly if you have plaster on both legs. For more information and advice, contact your airline or travel operator.
- 4-5 days after an open, simple surgery (including hand or wrist surgery)
- 14 days after open, complicated surgery (including shoulder joint replacement surgery)
- 14 days after surgery conducted to promote fracture (broken bone) stabilisation
- 3 months after total hip replacement (during the first 6 weeks post-operation, restrictions are in place to prevent hip dislocation. Aeroplane seats do not meet these precautionary requirements.)
Please note, your ability to sit comfortably in your plane seat and tolerate turbulence is impacted by having a broken bone or recent surgery. Consider these factors BEFORE booking or boarding a flight.
This page of advice has been created by Dr Brumby-Rendell as a generalised guide. Use this information as a reference only, and understand that your surgical result may be compromised if you fly too quickly post-surgery or with a bone fracture.
Flying after other medical procedures
Other medical conditions also have restrictions for flying.
Below is a general guide:
- Abdominal (tummy) surgery - wait 4-5 days or 10 days should the surgery be more complicated.
- Brain or neurosurgery - wait 6 weeks.
- Cataract or corneal laser surgery - wait 1-2 days or 10 days should the surgery be more complicated.
- Chest surgery (including coronary bypass graft) - wait 10 days, as long as you have not developed any complications.
- Colonoscopy - wait 1 day, as long as you have not developed any complications.
- Lung surgery - wait 3 months.
- Heart attack - wait 7-10 days, as long as you have not developed any complications.
- Heart failure - if an individual's condition is stable and they are utilising controlling treatment, they will generally be able to fly on a plane.
- Pacemaker - once stable, individuals with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) can fly on a plane.
- Retinal detachment - wait 6 weeks.
- Carpal Tunnel
Things to check before you fly
Ask Dr Brumby-Rendell for individual information regarding your ability to fly if you have undergone a major surgery BEFORE you book a flight.
Airline - There are unique regulations regarding flying eligibility for each airline. Before you fly, check these requirements with your airline, especially if you have undergone a complex surgery. You should also check the hand luggage restrictions. You will be allowed to sit in an emergency seat on all airlines; however, you may need to purchase an extra or upgraded seat if you are unable to sit in the standard seat (i.e., if you are unable to bend your knee or are wearing a large sling).
Individual airlines provide more information regarding flying post-surgery:
Additional information regarding flying after surgery can be found through individual airlines:
Air New Zealand
Alliance Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Jetstar Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Rex Regional Express
Sharp Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Tiger Air / Scoot
A small, additional fee will be required by Dr Brumby-Rendell to complete clearance for flying paperwork, as this is not included in your routine care.
General advice - Before you fly
- Ensure you pack in advance.
- The night before your trip, sleep well.
- On the plane, wear comfortable, loose clothing.
- Understand hand luggage regulations in the aircraft.
- Pack games, books and toys in your hand luggage if you have children to provide entertainment throughout the journey.
- Purchase travel sickness medication from your pharmacist before your flight if you are prone to travel sickness or are consuming medicines with nauseating side effects.
- Visit your GP before travelling if you believe you have a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) development. You may be advised to wear compression stockings throughout your journey or take blood-thinning medication.
- Ensure you can get to the airport. Book necessary bus or train tickets, or pay for car parking. Remember to check the travel news on the day of your flight to ensure you arrive on time.
General advice - During your flight
Stay hydrated throughout your flight, but avoid caffeinated drinks (including coffee, tea or cola) and alcohol, as these contribute to thirst.
If you require glasses, wear these as opposed to contact lenses. This is because the aircraft cabin's air is dry and can lead to eye irritation.
If you are able, move around in the cabin. This is because sitting can increase the risk of developing deep venous thrombosis (DVT), so it is recommended that you perform simple exercises throughout the trip. When able, walk around the cabin, straighten and bend your legs, and press your feet into the floor when sitting. Do not consume sleeping pills, as this leads to you not moving for a long duration.
When you board the plane, make your watch display the new time zone to decrease the effects of jet lag. Also try to sleep for some of the flight.
Travelling with your medicines
After checking regulations, you should carry your medicine, with your prescription, in your hand luggage.
All medical equipment (including syringes and needles) should be carried in correctly labelled, original packaging.Â
It is a good idea to pack spare medication and an additional prescription in your hold luggage to account for losing your first supply. Make sure your medicine does not expire during your visit.
Many medications have temperature requirements, such as in a fridge or room temperature (below 25ºC). If you are travelling to a country that commonly has warm weather, discuss how to store your medication with your pharmacist. To keep your medication at the correct temperature, you may utilise:
- A thermos flask
- An insulated pouch
- A cool bag
- An ice pack
Controlled medicines
The Misuse of Drugs legislation controls the use of some prescribed medication.
These medicines are often referred to as controlled drugs, and additional legal controls apply to these medicines relating to supply, safekeeping, and import/export. Controlled medication examples include:
- Strong painkillers (i.e. oxycodone)
- Anti-anxiety medication (i.e. bendodiazepines)
Taking controlled medicines abroad
If you require prescribed controlled medicines, they should be carried:
- Within correctly labelled, original packaging
- In hand luggage (so long as airline regulations permit)
A letter from your GP providing the following information should also be taken if you are visiting another country for a period greater than 6 weeks:
- Your name and address
- Your date of birth
- Your departure and return dates
- Your planned travel itinerary
The controlled medicines in which you are taking should also be listed, along with the:
- Required dosage
- Amount in which you are carrying
Some medication, including the contraceptive pill, is usually not prescribed for more than 3 months at a time. If patients are staying in a country for longer than this period, they will usually have to purchase more medicine overseas. This will be decided by your GP, as dictated by your specific condition and required medication.
Understand that your GP Clinic may require additional fees to provide a letter, as this is not a required practice under the Department of Health.
Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
You have an increased risk of DVT development if you fly after undergoing a recent surgery, specifically one treating the knees or hips.
DVT refers to a blood clot in one of your body's deep veins, usually within the legs.
You may also have increased DVT development risks if you:
- Have previously had DVT
- Have previously had blood clots
- Have a family history of blood clotting
- Are obese or overweight
- Are pregnant
Please note that even if you are listed as at moderate-to-high risk of developing travel-related DVT, the absolute risk is low.
It is important that you discuss your travel plans with your GP if you have a high risk of DVT development. It may be advised that you delay your journey.
DVT development can be reduced in risk through various measures, including drinking lots of water and walking around the cabin.