A new analysis, conducted by Dr. Okoroha’s colleagues examined outcomes related to hip arthroscopy. Their research highlights an important takeaway, while new techniques continue to evolve, long-term data remains critical in determining the best approach. Here’s what they found.
https://arthroscopyjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/arj.70485
Clear postoperative instructions are an essential part of a successful recovery after orthopaedic surgery. Patients need to understand how to care for their incision, manage pain, take medications safely, follow activity restrictions, recognize potential complications, and begin physical therapy when appropriate.
However, written discharge instructions often contain complex medical language that can be difficult for patients to understand-especially immediately after surgery, when they may be tired, uncomfortable, or still experiencing the effects of anesthesia.
A recent study published in Arthroscopy examined whether artificial intelligence could help make orthopaedic discharge instructions clearer, easier to read, and more useful for patients.
Why Clear Postoperative Instructions Matter
Patients receive a significant amount of information before leaving a surgical facility. Even when instructions are explained verbally, remembering every detail can be challenging.
Confusing or overly complicated instructions may make it more difficult for patients to:
- Take medications correctly
- Follow weight-bearing and activity restrictions
- Properly care for their surgical incision
- Complete recommended exercises
- Recognize warning signs of a complication
- Know when and how to contact their surgical team
Written instructions provide patients and caregivers with information they can review throughout recovery. However, these materials are only helpful when patients can easily understand and act on them.
Patient education materials are generally recommended to be written at approximately a sixth-grade reading level. Unfortunately, many orthopaedic instructions are written at a substantially higher level.
How Researchers Used AI to Improve Instructions
Researchers collected orthopaedic discharge instructions from a large academic hospital between March and May 2025. They evaluated information covering several important areas of postoperative care, including:
- Activity restrictions
- Complications and follow-up care
- Medications and narcotic pain medication
- Pain management
- Physical therapy
- Wound care
The researchers then used ChatGPT-4 to rewrite portions of the instructions using structured prompts. The original and AI-revised materials were compared using validated measurements of readability, understandability, and actionability.
Understandability measures whether patients can process and explain the information. Actionability measures whether patients can identify what they are expected to do after reading it.
What Did the Study Find?
The researchers analyzed 52 sections taken from 12 different orthopaedic discharge instruction documents.
After the instructions were revised using artificial intelligence:
- The average reading level decreased from grade 9.8 to grade 7.5.
- Understandability improved from 63.6% to 87.9%.
- Actionability improved from 44.4% to 73.6%.
These improvements were statistically significant.
Wound-care instructions had the lowest reading level before and after AI revision. Instructions involving narcotics were initially among the most difficult to read, while medication and physical therapy instructions remained relatively complex following revision.
Although AI produced meaningful improvements, not every section reached the recommended sixth-grade reading level. This indicates that AI may be a helpful starting point, but additional editing and professional review may still be required.
What Does This Mean for Orthopaedic Patients?
The study demonstrates that artificial intelligence may help healthcare professionals communicate important postoperative information more clearly.
AI can assist with:
- Replacing complicated medical terms with plain language
- Shortening long or confusing sentences
- Organizing instructions into clear steps
- Emphasizing the actions patients need to take
- Making education materials more accessible to a wider range of patients
However, artificial intelligence should support—not replace—a surgeon’s clinical judgment. AI-generated instructions must always be carefully reviewed for accuracy before they are provided to patients. Medication dosages, activity restrictions, wound-care recommendations, and rehabilitation timelines must remain specific to the individual procedure and patient.
The study also did not measure whether the revised instructions directly reduced complications, readmissions, or postoperative phone calls. Additional research will be needed to determine whether improved written materials lead to better clinical outcomes.
The Future of Patient Education After Surgery
Artificial intelligence is often discussed in relation to imaging, diagnosis, and surgical planning. This study highlights another practical use: improving everyday communication between surgeons and patients.
Clearer instructions may help patients feel more confident and prepared during recovery. Written materials can also be combined with videos, illustrations, and direct guidance from the surgical team to reinforce important information.
Ultimately, postoperative education should give every patient a clear understanding of what to expect, what actions to take, and when to contact their healthcare provider.
If you are preparing for orthopaedic surgery, speak with your surgical team about your recovery plan and ask questions about any instructions you do not understand. Following procedure-specific guidance is an important part of protecting your recovery and achieving the best possible outcome.
We are committed to providing personalized care and innovative treatments to help patients return to peak performance safely and effectively.
Seeing patients in Dallas, Richardson, Frisco, and beyond, Dr. Okoroha provides specialized care focused on optimizing recovery, performance, and long-term joint health.
