From OR to Full Recovery: Why Orthopedic Innovation Must Extend Beyond the Surgical Table

By Dr. Mark Klaassen, Orthopedic Surgeon, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Notre Dame, & Author of Bone Voyage: Following One Surgeon on the Journey of a Lifetime

Orthopedic surgery has come a long way. Advancements in surgical technique, implant technology, and perioperative protocols have made procedures more precise and outcomes more predictable. But true innovation in orthopedics doesn’t begin and end in the OR.

It happens when research, technology, and patient-centered care converge—before surgery, during recovery, and well beyond the point of discharge.

As both a practicing surgeon and professor, I’ve seen how the thoughtful integration of traditional orthopedic principles with noninvasive, supportive therapies can dramatically improve outcomes. This perspective is grounded in clinical insight and personal experience. When I underwent bilateral knee replacement a little over a year ago, I was walking within hours and recovered without the use of narcotic pain medication. That wasn’t a matter of luck. It was the result of a proactive, evidence-based recovery plan.

What happens before surgery matters.

A successful recovery begins long before the first incision is made.

• Nutrition: A protein-rich diet supports tissue repair and muscle preservation. It’s like training for a marathon, protein before carbohydrates, on the day of, and protein after surgery. Vitamins C and D, calcium, iron, and zinc play key roles in wound healing and bone health. Hydration and anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as omega-3s, can also contribute; however, supplementation should always be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
• Prehabilitation: Targeted physical therapy strengthens muscles, improves flexibility, and prepares patients to use assistive devices. These steps reduce the risk of complications and support faster post-op recovery.
• Home preparation: Setting up a safe and functional environment—clearing walkways, installing grab bars, and organizing essentials—can make a significant difference during the initial weeks of recovery. A stationary bike is also a great asset for regaining your motion. 
• Mental readiness: Educating patients on the surgical process, managing expectations, and establishing a support network contribute to emotional preparedness and resilience.

What happens after surgery counts just as much.

Discharge is not the finish line—it’s a critical transition.

• Rehab and follow-up: Ongoing physical therapy, guided movement, and regular check-ins are essential to track progress and adjust care.
• Supportive tools: Ice, compression, elevation, and pacing activity with step count instruction help manage inflammation, swelling, and discomfort. The key to these tools is to diminish swelling. 
• Daily habits: Quality nutrition, adequate sleep, and goal-setting all contribute to physical and mental recovery.

Recovery doesn’t stop when rehab ends.

Long-term outcomes are shaped by habits and support systems that extend well beyond the immediate postoperative period.

• Maintain mobility: Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling help maintain joint health.
• Keep strengthening: Continued focus on core and lower body strength supports long-term independence and injury prevention.
• Manage inflammation: A healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight reduce joint stress.
• Stay connected: Ongoing education, follow-up care, and monitoring new treatment options empower patients to stay engaged in their recovery.

Technology and tools that support healing

One such option is photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), which utilizes specific, tissue-penetrating, invisible wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair at the cellular level. What was once considered experimental, PBMT has matured into a clinically validated, data-backed tool in the orthopedic recovery landscape.

After researching thousands of studies on PBMT, Dr. Scott Sigman brought FDA-cleared laser technology into his practice. He founded the company OrthoLazer to offer communities a safer, drug-free path to pain relief and recovery. As an orthopedic surgeon, he saw the increasing need for non-opioid pain management solutions that support functional recovery. 

This month, a new national headquarters and Orthopedic Wellness Center will open in Warsaw, Indiana, with a focus on bringing innovative recovery strategies like PBMT into broader clinical use. The center, affiliated with OrthoLazer, will serve as a resource for patients and providers interested in exploring how noninvasive modalities can be incorporated into modern orthopedic care.

A message to future providers

At the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University School of Medicine – Orthopedics, I encourage my students and residents to adopt a broader perspective on healing. Surgery may be a pivotal event, but recovery is an evolving process. True healing is dynamic, personalized, and sustained by the tools and habits we equip patients with. We can facilitate a more pleasant experience in joint arthroplasty and musculoskeletal surgery by using multimodal therapies like photobiomodulation (PBMT). 

If our goal is to help people return to what matters most—pickleball, walking their dog, golfing with friends, playing with grandkids—then we must commit to the whole arc of recovery: from education to evidence-based innovation to long-term care.