Due to the sedation you have received, we recommend the following:
- Have a responsible adult drive you home and remain with you overnight
- Rest on the day of surgery
- Dizziness is not an unusual side effect the first day
For the 24 hours after surgery – DO NOT:
- Drive a vehicle or operate hazardous machinery, power tools, or appliances
- Make personal or business decisions or sign legal documents
- Ingest alcohol, tranquilizers, or sleeping pills
Diet: Regular diet and advanced as tolerated
Prescriptions: Medications are typically provided 1-3 days before surgery date
- Please take medication as directed. Take your pain medication with food to avoid nausea
- Do not drive a motor vehicle or drink alcohol while you are taking a narcotic pain medication
- Start medication prior to numbing block wearing off
Numbing Block: Numbness may last 8-24 hours; Please start pain medication prior to block wearing off
Ice behind the knee of the operative extremity or over the surgical site for 20 minutes every hour
Elevate the operative extremity at or above the level of the heart as much as possible
Weightbearing: Please follow weightbearing instructions as they are important for the recovery
- Please keep cast, splint, boot, or postoperative shoe in place unless directed otherwise
Bandage: Keep bandage clean, dry, and intact; DO NOT change or remove bandage
- You may shower starting tomorrow, but be sure to keep bandage/splint clean, dry, and intact
- Use a cast cover for bathing as needed which can be found on Amazon or local drug store
- If bandage gets damp, use a hair dryer to dry the bandage
- If the bandage is soaked, beyond repair, or falls off, please call the clinic
DVT Prevention: Perform daily range of motion exercises as instructed at the ankle/knee/hip. Start any medication for blood clots as directed.
Follow-up: You are to have a follow-up appointment 7-14 days from surgery. If an appointment has not been scheduled, please call the clinic to schedule your appointment at your earliest convenience.
Keys to recovery:
- Minimize activity
- Dry, clean bandages
- Range of motion exercises
- Ice and elevation to for swelling and pain
- Using prescribed medication as directed
- Maintain follow up appointments
WARNING SIGNS: Please call with any of the following:
- Increasing drainage on the bandage
- Prolonged or worse numbness
- Abnormal skin color or temperature
- Uncontrolled pain on current medications
- Fever over 100.0 after the first 48 hours
- Redness, swelling, streaking, or pus
Please call our office at 541-754-1276 or 541-754-1150 (after hours) if you have any questions or concerns.
