Suggestions for dietary adjustment after bone plate fixation

After bone plate fixation, fracture healing and soft tissue repair require adequate nutritional support. Reasonable dietary adjustment can promote the formation of callus, enhance immunity and reduce complications. The following are the core suggestions for dietary adjustment after bone plate fixation, which need to be adjusted in combination with the individual conditions of the patient (such as age, underlying diseases, and surgical site).

First, nutritional requirements for fracture healing

The fracture healing process is divided into the inflammatory stage (0-7 days), the repair stage (2-6 weeks), and the remodeling stage (several months). The nutritional requirements vary at different stages, but overall, it is necessary to ensure adequate intake of protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, and trace elements.

Second, the core principles of dietary adjustment

A high-protein diet promotes tissue repair

Protein sources: Prioritize high-quality protein (such as lean meat, fish, eggs, soy products, and dairy products). The recommended daily intake is 1.2-1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight (for example, a 60-kilogram patient needs 72-90 grams of protein daily).

Case: One cup of milk (about 8 grams of protein) + one egg (about 7 grams of protein) +100 grams of fish (about 18 grams of protein) can meet some of the needs.

Calcium and vitamin D work together to enhance bone repair

Calcium intake: The recommended daily intake is 1000-1200 milligrams, which can be supplemented through milk (300 milligrams per 250 milliliters), tofu (about 250 milligrams per 100 grams), and dark green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli and Chinese kale).

Vitamin D intake: 600-800 international units (IU) per day. It can be supplemented by sun exposure (15-30 minutes daily) or by consuming egg yolks and deep-sea fish (such as salmon). If there is insufficient sunlight, you can take vitamin D supplements as prescribed by your doctor.

Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis

Sources of vitamin C: The recommended daily intake is 75-90 milligrams. It can be supplemented through citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, green peppers, broccoli, etc. Vitamin C helps in the formation of collagen and accelerates the formation of callus.

Trace elements cannot be ignored

Zinc: It participates in bone metabolism and can be supplemented through lean meat, seafood and nuts.

Magnesium: Promotes calcium absorption and can be supplemented through whole grains, green leafy vegetables and nuts.

Copper: It exists in small amounts in shellfish and nuts and helps form bone matrix.

Adequate water and dietary fiber

Water intake: 1500-2000 milliliters per day to promote the excretion of metabolic waste.

Dietary fiber: It can be supplemented through whole grains, vegetables and fruits to prevent constipation (a common complication among patients who have been bedridden for a long time).

Third, phased suggestions for dietary adjustment

Early postoperative period (0-2 weeks) : Light and easily digestible, avoid flatulence

Recommended foods: Porridge (such as millet porridge, vegetable porridge), steamed egg custard, fish puree, tofu pudding, fruit juice (avoid overly acidic citrus fruits).

Taboos: Spicy, greasy and high-sugar foods (such as chili peppers, fried foods, desserts), to avoid overburdening the gastrointestinal tract or triggering inflammatory reactions.

Mid-postoperative period (2-6 weeks) : Increase nutritional density to promote callus formation

Recommended food:

Protein: Steamed fish, stewed pork ribs (with excess oil removed), shrimp, soy products.

Calcium and vitamin D: Milk, yogurt, cheese, dark green leafy vegetable salad (blanched and then mixed cold).

Vitamin C: Stir-fried shredded pork with kiwi juice, oranges and green peppers.

Note: Avoid excessive calcium supplementation (such as more than 2000 milligrams per day), as it may cause constipation or kidney stones.

Postoperative period (more than 6 weeks) : Maintain a balanced diet and gradually restore physical strength

Recommended foods: Whole grains (such as oats, brown rice), lean meat, deep-sea fish, nuts, fruit platters.

Objective: To meet comprehensive nutritional needs through a diverse diet and store energy for returning to daily life.

Fourth, dietary adjustments for special groups

Elderly patients

Common problems: Weakened digestive function and decreased calcium absorption rate.

Suggestion: Choose easily digestible proteins (such as tofu and fish), take vitamin D supplements, and eat small, frequent meals in small portions.

Diabetic patients

Common problems: Fluctuations in blood sugar affect wound healing.

Suggestion: Control the total amount of carbohydrates (such as one fiber-sized staple food per meal), choose low-GI foods (such as oats and buckwheat), and avoid fruits with high sugar content (such as lychees and longans).

Patients with renal insufficiency

Common problem: A high-protein diet increases the burden on the kidneys.

Suggestion: Adjust your protein intake under the guidance of a doctor and give priority to choosing high-quality low-protein foods (such as eggs and milk).

Fifth, Misunderstandings and Precautions in dietary adjustment

Misconception 1: Blindly supplementing calcium

Analysis: Excessive calcium supplementation (such as more than 2000 milligrams per day) may lead to constipation, kidney stones, and even interfere with the absorption of other minerals.

It is recommended to mainly supplement calcium through natural foods. If necessary, take calcium supplements under the guidance of a doctor.

Misconception 2: Relying on bone broth for calcium supplementation

Analysis: The calcium content in bone broth is extremely low (only 2-4 milligrams per 100 milliliters), and it has a high fat content, which may cause an increase in blood lipids.

Suggestion: Replace bone broth with high-calcium foods such as milk and tofu.

Misconception 3: Completely vegetarian

Analysis: Vegetarians are prone to deficiencies in protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D and zinc, which can affect fracture healing.

It is recommended that vegetarians supplement their nutrition through soy products, nuts, and fortified foods (such as vitamin B12-fortified soy milk).

Precautions

Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake: Smoking inhibits bone formation, while alcohol interferes with calcium absorption. Both should be strictly restricted.

Avoid overeating: Postoperative weight gain may increase the burden on the joints, so it is necessary to control the total energy intake.

Sixth, auxiliary measures for dietary adjustment

Personalized nutritional assessment

After the operation, a personalized diet plan can be formulated based on the patient’s weight, metabolic rate and inflammatory indicators through a consultation in the nutrition department.

Use of nutritional supplements

If the intake of food is insufficient (such as poor appetite and weak digestive function), protein powder, multivitamins, calcium supplements and other supplements can be used under the guidance of a doctor.

Family support

Family members need to learn the skills of balanced nutrition, avoid excessive nourishment (such as stewing chicken soup or turtle soup every day), and pay attention to a balanced diet.