ACL POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR RICHARD STANLEY’S PATIENTS
NERVE BLOCK: If you received a nerve block, expect some numbness and weakness for 6-24 hours. When you feel it wearing off, start taking your pain medication to stay ahead of the pain rather than letting it get too severe and then trying to play catch up.
ACTIVITIES: Minimize activity; elevate your leg as much as possible preferably above the heart. This is crucial especially the first 48 hours as, this decrease swelling and pain.
CRYOCUFF/COOLING PAD: Leave the pad in place. Use the cooling pad for 2 hours on and 30 minutes off while you are awake. After the first dressing change, you may reapply the pad and use it for 30 minutes at a time after each exercise session or as needed for pain and swelling.
MEDICATIONS: I have given you a narcotic for pain. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
Do not take additional Tylenol with your prescription pain medicine—it already has Tylenol in it.
BANDAGES: Remove dressings and shower 3-4 days post op. There may be dried blood on the bandages, this is normal. Leave the steri-strips in place. After your shower, re-wrap the knee (not the entire leg) with only ½ of the ace wrap as it is very long. Your knee should feel supported and comfortably compressed. Re-apply the cooling pad as needed.
NO TUB BATHS, HOT TUBS OR SWIMMING UNTIL WE SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE.
CRUTCHES/IMMOBILIZER: Use crutches whenever you are on your feet until your first post-op office visit. Wear the immobilizer when walking and sleeping. Do not put weight on your leg.
WARNING SIGNS: If you have any of the following, call my office 541-754-1276
Or Cell phone- 1-248-884-0579
- Pain unrelieved by medication or worsening pain
- Nausea and vomiting you cannot control
- Fever over 100.0 after the first 48 hours
- Persistent drainage from the incisions (some spotting is normal on the bandage for the first 5 days.)
- Increasing redness around the incisions
- Calf pain or tenderness
FOLLOW-UP:
- Physical therapy will be prescribed when you come in for your first office visit.
- You need to see Dr. Stanley in two weeks.
- If you do not have this appointment, call Dr. Stanley’s office.
CALL DR. STANLEY’S OFFICE AT 541-754-1276 FOR QUESTIONS.
AFTER HOURS CALL ORTHOPEDICS AT 541-754-1150
