Protein support
A structured protein-loading approach before surgery, continuing into the postoperative period.
Pre-operative nutrition support
Structured perioperative nutrition support for orthopaedic surgery
Orthonutracare is being developed as a practical nutrition protocol for patients preparing for surgery and entering early recovery, with an initial focus on orthopaedic care.
Why preparation matters
Surgery places real physiological demands on the body. In the lead-up to an operation, nutritional status, protein intake, muscle reserve, and general resilience may all influence how well a patient enters the perioperative period.
Orthonutracare is built around a simple idea: preparing for surgery should involve more than scheduling the operation. Nutrition should be part of that preparation.
The protocol
A focused perioperative approach
The concept is based on four core elements intended to support patients in the lead-up to surgery and through the early recovery period.
Creatine
Included as part of the overall strategy to support muscle energy reserve and recovery support around surgery.
Vitamin support
Designed to sit alongside a broader nutritional approach rather than replace it.
Carbohydrate strategy
A perioperative carbohydrate-loading element intended to support preparation immediately before surgery.
What is being developed
The current Orthonutracare concept is a sachet-based protocol designed for use before and after surgery. The plan is for two sachets daily, beginning one week before surgery and continuing for two weeks afterwards.
Each sachet is planned to contain approximately 30 g of protein, 2 g of creatine, and 500 mg of vitamin C, with vanilla, berry, and chocolate flavours proposed. The aim is to make perioperative nutrition support simple, practical, and easy for patients to follow.
For patients
Designed to be practical
The goal is to create a straightforward pathway that patients can use whether they are moving through private care or the public system.
It is intended to support patients preparing for surgery without unnecessary hype, complexity, or supplement-style marketing.
For clinicians
Designed to be clinically usable
Orthonutracare is intended to sit comfortably within real surgical practice: clear in purpose, measured in tone, and respectful of the broader clinical context.
It is being developed with an initial focus on hip and knee replacement, while remaining relevant to wider perioperative care over time.
About the wolf
Strength, endurance, beauty
The wolf remains central to Orthonutracare.
It represents strength under stress, endurance through challenge, and the deeper beauty of resilience and recovery. In this setting, those qualities are not about performance for its own sake. They are about preparing well, coming through surgery well, and returning to function with confidence.
Stay informed
Interested in the project?
Whether you are a patient, surgeon, GP, dietitian, nurse, or part of a broader orthopaedic team, you are welcome to register interest and follow the development of Orthonutracare.