Wound Care
- Leave the dressing in place following surgery until your follow-up visit with the physician.
- Ice and elevation along with pain medicine are your keys to initial pain management.
- Ice for 20 minutes each hour over surgical site. DO NOT PLACE DIRECTLY ON SKIN.
- If you were given crutches upon discharge, use as directed.
Bracing
- If you are placed in a brace after surgery, it must be worn at all times (even sleep) until instructed otherwise by your therapist or physician.
Bathing
- The splint must stay clean and dry.
- Bathing recommendations if splint in place:
- Wrap splint with a durable trash bag and tape to skin above the level of the splint.
- Do not immerse splint in bath. Hold splint outside of the tub.
- Showers are not recommended.
- If the cast gets wet, dry the inside as much as possible with a hairdryer on COOL air setting. DO NOT USE HEAT.
Medications
- Norco 7.5/325mg (Hydrocodone/Tylenol). Take 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
- We recommend an over-the-counter stool softener (Colace) as directed while on narcotics to prevent constipation.
- Aspirin 81mg twice daily for 6 weeks to decrease the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).
- If at increased risk for DVT, you may be prescribed Aspirin 325 mg twice daily for 6 weeks.
- Zofran 4mg. Take 1 tab every 4 hours as needed for nausea.
Local Nerve Block
- You may have received an injection into your leg to numb the leg prior to surgery that should relieve much of your pain for about 8-12 hours but may NOT completely eliminate your pain.
- While your leg/foot is numb, do not place objects directly under your heel for support – this may cause pressure sores or infection.
Post-Op Office Appointment
- If the appointment was not arranged prior to surgery, please contact the office at (631) 298-4579.
Emergencies or Concerns
- Contact us at (631) 298-4579 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Pain worsens or does not go away after pain medication is taken.
- Redness or swelling in your thigh or calf that will not decrease.
- Difficulties moving your toes.
- Develop a fever greater than 100.4 degrees.
- Please note that refills on pain medication will not be approved during evenings or on weekends.