A surgical
procedure has just been performed. The amount of pain and swelling vary
from patient to patient, therefore, please follow the following instructions:
1. Returning
home from surgery:
a) Sit sideways
in back seat of the car with surgical foot elevated.
b) Have your prescription(s) filled immediately.
2. Remain
quiet and off your feet for the first 24 hours. Place a pillow under
the calf of your leg so the surgical foot is elevated.
3. Place
an ice bag over the front and inside of your ankle or use the ice therapy
unit as directed. This should only be necessary for the first 24 hours
after surgery.
4. DO NOT
use hot water bags or electric heating pads on your foot.
5. Keep
operative area completely dry. If the bandage accidently gets wet, dry
immediately with an absorbant towel and call this office.
6. Your
bandages may become somewhat bloody, should this occur do not become
alarmed. However, if there is persistent bleeding, call the doctor at
once.
7. Throbbing
can be helped by keeping the foot elevated and puttting ice on the ankle.
If the throbbing persists and the pain medication does not help the
throbbing, call this office.
8. Nausea
and lightheadedness sometimes occurs due to medication. If this happens,
please call this office.
9. Follow
a light diet, plenty of liquids and abstain from the use of alcoholic
beverages while taking medications.
10. Bend
knee and rotate foot and ankle at least 5 minutes during each hour after
surgery for 24-36 hours while you are awake.
11. Limit
walking to no longer than 15 minutes out of every hour. Stay off you
feet as much as possible. Wear your cut-out surgical shoe when walking
if the shoe is dispensed to you. DO NOT TAKE ANY STEPS WITHOUT THE SHOE.
12. Should
you bump or otherwise injure your foot or the surgical site in any way,
notify this office immediately.
13. Check
your temperature every 8 hours. If temperature goes over 100 degrees
Fahrenheit, call the doctor.
14. Should
you incure any other problems not discussed in these instructions, please
phone immediately the following phone numbers until you reach the doctor
or a member of the office staff.
Office:
217-223-3668