Post-Operative Care

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• Total Hip Post
• Knee Arthroscopy Post
• Total Knee Post
• Arthroscopy Post

General Post Operative Instructions - PRINT

The following instructions are general guidelines for your post operative care. If you do not understand them, or have any questions about them, please call the office. The best time to call is on regular business days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Additionally, calling in the morning is better than waiting until the end of the day. However, if you have an urgent need at some other time it is possible to reach us through our answering service by calling (610-792-2870).

While you can expect some pain and swelling of the operated extremity and some slight bleeding, none of these should ever be excessive. You should call if:

• Pain is not relieved by medication – it does though take about one hour after taking pills for them to have an effect.
• Temperature of 101 degrees or higher persists – especially if there is associated redness or white drainage from the incisions.
• If you are concerned about any aspect of your problem, it is better the address a question early than to have it develop later into something significant.

If you do not have a post operation return office visit, please schedule one by calling the office:

Phoenixville (610) 935-1120
Pottstown (610) 323-3747


TOTAL HIP POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - PRINT

Please:

1. Read "General Post Operative Instructions" found on the patient education page of this web site.
2. Call office upon your return to home for:
   
   1. Scheduling of a post operation office visit.
   2. Instructions regarding anticoagulation medications (blood thinners).
   3. A physical therapy prescription.
   4. Pain medication prescription.
   5. X-ray script if insured by Keystone Insurance.
   
   You must continue total hip precautions, that is:
   
   
   1. Do not flex operated leg at hip above 90 degrees.
   2. Do not bend operated let at hip to reach for objects on the floor or to tie shoes.
   3. Do not cross legs.
   4. Do not drive for at least six weeks unless directed otherwise.
   
   You may shower but do not immerse incision.
   
   Continue to use a cane or walker until instructed to discontinue.
   
   Please notify us if you have nay increased pain or swelling, especially in the calf area.
   
   If you have any questions, please call the office.
   Phoenixville: (610) 935-1120 Pottstown: (610) 323-3743

KNEE ARTHROSCOPY POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - PRINT

Today you should:

1. Rest with your leg elevated on one pillow- it is best to be entirely recumbent; i.e. flat in bed or on a coach- lying in a recliner chair does not count.
2. Apply ice to your leg as needed.
3. Start range of motion exercises.
4. Take medications as prescribed (see instructions below).
5. Notify us if any increased pain, cramping or swelling in calf.

Today you may bear weight on the operated leg as tolerated. You may wish to use crutches or a can until you feel stable without them.

Tomorrow and for the next 5 to 7 days:

1. Remove dressing, you may cover incisions with band aids.
2. You may shower. Do not soak knee as in a bath tub. Make sure incisions are completely dry before covering.
3. Continue intermittent elevation of leg, twice a day for about one half hour at a time.
4. Do range of motion exercises 2 to 3 times a day.
5. Do straight leg lift exercises, 10 repetitions once a day.
6. Continue to take medications as prescribed.
7. Use ice on knee as needed.
   
   Medications

1. Aspirin-one 324 mg. tablet a day for on month- enteric coated is fine. If you can not take aspirin or are on a blood thinner, please notify us.
2. Pain medications as prescribed.
   

TOTAL KNEE POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - PRINT
Please:

1. Read "General Post Operative Instructions" found on the patient education page of this web site.
2. Call office upon your return to home for:
   
   
   1. Scheduling of a post operation office visit.
   2. Instructions regarding anticoagulation medications (blood thinners).
   3. A physical therapy prescription.
   4. Pain medication prescription.
   5. X-ray script if insured by Keystone Insurance.

You may:

1. Shower but not immerse incisions.
2. Walk as tolerated using a cane or a walker as instructed

You should lie flat in bed or sofa (not a lounge chair) to elevate legs for 30 minutes daily.
If you have any questions, please call the office:

Phoenixville: (610) 935-1120
Pottstown: (610) 323-3743

SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS - PRINT

1. Use sling at all times, unless directed otherwise by your surgeon.
2. You may use ice on your shoulder ( a ziplock type bag is ideal) as much as tolerable during the first four hours after surgery.
3. Keep your dressing clean and dry. You may remove you dressing/bandages on the day after surgery. After that point, you may shower over the incisions, but DO NOT submerge your shoulder in standing water.
4. Take pain medicine as per directions on the bottle
   • In order to use your pain medication effectively, be sure to take your first dosage when your pain surfaces.
   • Waiting until the pain is severe or prolonged makes it more difficult to achieve good pain control with your medication.
5. If you have not already arranged a follow up appointment, please call the office as soon as possible to make an appointment to be seen in five or seven days. The telephone number for appointments is (610) 935-1120, Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
6. If problems or questions arise, please contact us at the above number, during working hours if possible. If you feel the latter is urgent, please indicate this to the staff member who answers your call.

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