Post-Operative Information

What should i expect and plan for the evening after surgery?

  • - Plan on having a friend or family member drive you home from the surgery center. Make sure you have the afternoon and evening free of social and work obligations.
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  • - Pain medication injected into the site of surgery will wear off roughly 12 hours following the surgery. Plan on getting your pain prescription filled to have with you when you arrive home.
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  • - Most patients will require pain medication beginning the evening after the surgery.
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  • - Ice the site of surgery to help decrease swelling and discomfort.
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Post-op Medications:

  • - Patients with lower extremity surgery should take one aspirin per day for 14 days following the surgery to help reduce the risk of blood clots unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Gill.
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  • - Patients may take 1-2 tablets of their pain medication every 4-6 hours as needed for pain with a maximum of 12 pills per day.
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  • - Begin to wean yourself off of the pain medication as soon as possible.
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  • - Do NOT drive or operate any machinery while taking medications.
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  • - When taking vicodin or percocet, do not take any additional Tylenol or other Acetaminophen containing products.
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  • - Patients may experience side effects from their pain medication including nausea, drowsiness, and constipation. Patients may be prescribed Colace to help with constipation and vistaril to help with nausea.
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  • - For any additional questions please contact Sheryl Hassett at 781-251-3535 or [email protected].

 

Wound care / swelling:

  • - Maintain your post-operative bandages for 24 hours following the surgery in order to protect the incision site.
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  • - Some bleeding and swelling during this time is often normal. Apply additional dressings to the incision site if needed after 24 hours. If bandages become too tight due to swelling, simply loosen the bandage to decrease discomfort.
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  • - Begin icing immediately after surgery and use the ice machine every 2 hours to help decrease swelling and inflammation.
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  • - Patients with lower extremity surgery patients should wear TEDS stockings (compression stockings) on both legs until their first post-operative visit.
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  • - Steristrips should be kept on the incision site until your first post-op appointment.
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  • - In order to decrease the risk of infection, keep the incision site clean and dry. Patients may shower after 48 hours, let the water flow over the incision, and apply a clean and dry bandage afterwards. Patients may remove their brace in the shower.
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  • - Incision sites should not be immersed in water (ie pool, lake, or bath) until after your first post-op visit.
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  • - For any additional questions please contact Sheryl Hassett at 781-251-3535 or [email protected].

 

post-op activity

  • - Please refer to the rehabilitation protocol specific to your surgery found on this page- http://www.bostonsportsmedicine.com/patients/rehabilitation-protocols.html
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  • - Patients with lower extremity surgery should elevate the leg to chest height to help reduce swelling.
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  • - Refer to your surgery protocol to determine your weight-bearing status.
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  • - Do not participate in any activities or movements that increase pain or discomfort until you review with Dr. Gill or Brian at your first post-op visit.
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  • - For any additional questions please contact Sheryl Hassett at 781-251-3535 or [email protected].
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