REST AND ICING: In order to prevent pain and swelling, do not do anything strenuous the first 48 hours. Elevate your leg above your heart as much as possible. Use your cold therapy unit, taking breaks every 2 hours. Leave the machine running throughout the night. Keep enough ice in your freezer as you do not want to run out of ice in the middle of the night.
BANDAGES: Keep brace, ace-wrap and cold therapy pad on until seen in the office in one week. No tub baths, hot tubs or swimming until you are told it is ok to do so.
CRUTCHES: Non-weight bearing until Dr. Evans tells you otherwise. Use your crutches as instructed.
MEDICATIONS: You were given narcotic pain medication. Either Norco (aka Vicodin or hydrocodone) or Oxycodone (aka Percocet if it contains Tylenol). Follow the instructions on the bottle. Nausea may be prevented by taking the medicine with food.
□ Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen (Advil) are very useful to lessen swelling and pain,
It decreases your need for narcotic medications. If you are able to take Ibuprofen, take 600 mg
Ibuprofen (3 tabs) every 8 hours if normally you are allowed these medications.
□ Take Acetaminophen (Tylenol or APAP) 1000mg (2 extra strength tabs) every 6 hours.
□ Do not take additional Acetaminophen (Tylenol) if your narcotic pain medicine already has it.
The maximum dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for short term postoperative period should not exceed 4000 mg per 24 hours.
WARNING SIGNS: If you have any of the following, call the office 541-754-1276.
• 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:
• You need to see Dr. Evans in about 1 week.
• If you do not have this appointment, call the office.
CALL THE ORTHOPEDICS OFFICE AT 541-754-1276 FOR QUESTIONS.
AFTER HOURS CALL ORTHOPEDICS AT 541-754-1150
