Postoperative Care

Postoperative Instructions

Apart from the specific instructions given to you depending on the type of surgery you have undergone, the basic general instructions that you should follow after your surgery are as follows:

• Take pain relieving and other medications as advised. Pain relieving medication should be taken with food. After the first 48 hours of surgery, take the pain medication only when needed.
• Do not drink alcohol, drive a vehicle, operate any machinery or sign a legal document for the first 24 hours after the surgery as the effects of the sedative and/or the anaesthesia administered during the surgery may last for the first 24 hours of the surgery.
• Use ice packs to control swelling. However, make sure that the ice bag does not leak into the dressing. Ice packs can be used liberally for the first 48 hours and even later, if required.
• Follow the specific restriction of activity, as advised. Remember that it is easier to prevent developing pain rather than managing it once it has already developed. Rest for a few days after the surgery and keep the operated extremity elevated, above the level of your heart, to control swelling.
• Keep the dressing clean and dry to promote wound healing.
• Try to begin physical therapy a day or two after the surgery. Exercises in the first week are usually aimed at regaining joint motion. Strengthening exercises are initiated later. Regular exercises are critical for a successful outcome.
• Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated drinks.
• Schedule your follow-up appointment with your doctor as advised.

Please consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Increased drainage from the incision
• Increased redness around the operated area
• Increased swelling that does not decrease with ice and elevation
• Foul odour
• Fever greater than 101°F
• Coldness, numbness or blanched white or bluish colour of the fingers or toes
• Sudden calf pain or shortness of breath
• Chest pain

• Knee
• Shoulder
• Hip
• Elbow
• Miscellaneous

Knee

• ACL Reconstruction Post-Operative Instructions
• ACL Reconstruction with Meniscus Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• ACL Reconstruction with OATS Post-Operative Instructions
• Ankle Fracture ORIF Post-Operative Instructions
• Bear Implant Patient Post-Operative Instructions
• Distal Femur Core Decompression Post-Operative Instructions
• Endoscopic Fasciotomy Post-Operative Instructions
• High Tibial or Distal Femoral Osteotomy Post-Operative Instructions
• High Tibial Osteotomy or Distal Femoral Osteotomy Post-Operative Instructions
• Knee Arthroscopy Post-Operative Instructions
• Knee Arthroscopy with Microfracture
• MCL Reconstruction Post-Operative Instructions
• Meniscus Repair Guidelines
• Meniscal Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Meniscal Root Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• MPFL Reconstruction Post-Operative Instructions
• Patellar/Quadriceps Tendon Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Tibial Tubercle ORIF Post-Operative Instructions
• Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Post-Operative Instructions

Shoulder

• AC Joint Reconstruction Post-Operative Instructions
• Clavicle ORIF Post-Operative Instructions
• Distal Clavicle Excision Post-Operative Instructions
• Open Biceps Tenodesis Post-Operative Instructions
• Pectoralis Major Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Rotator Cuff Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Shoulder Arthroscopy Without Repair Post-Operative Instructions (DCE, biceps)
• Shoulder Anterior/Posterior Labral Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Shoulder Bankart Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Shoulder Posterior Labral Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Shoulder SLAP Repair Post-Operative Instructions

Hip

• Hip Abductor Tendon Repair
• Hip Arthroscopy Labral Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Hip Arthroscopy Without Labral Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Proximal Hamstring Repair Post-Operative Instructions

Elbow

• Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

Miscellaneous

• Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI) Post-Operative Instructions
• Meniscal Repair Post-Operative Instructions
• Osteochondral Autograft Transfer (OATS) Post-Operative Instructions
• Latarjet-Bristow Post-Operative Instructions
• Open Reduction Internal Fixation Jones Fracture Post-Operative Instructions
• Subchondroplasty Post-Operative Instructions

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