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Day 1
On your first day you will arrive at the hospital admitting office around 6:00 am to 6:30 a.m. where you will register. They will then take you to the Pre-Operative holding area where you will be prepared for surgery. A nurse will take your health history and start an IV. You will be given some medication to relax you. At the appropriate time you will be taken to the Operating Room where your surgery will be performed. If you are comfortable in the late afternoon or evening of your surgery the nurses will get you up in a chair. Don’t worry, this is not as gruesome as it sounds, most patients have very little pain and tolerate this very well.
Day 2
On this day both the nurses and the physical therapists will get you up in a chair several times. The physical therapist will also start training you to walk using a walker or crutches. You will typically go for several walks on this day.
Day 3
Patients usually begin this day by having their postoperative dressing changed and at this time we remove the drainage tube as well as the Foley catheter that is draining your bladder. You will spend more time with the physical therapist and he/she will teach you how to ambulate on level surfaces and up and down stairs. The hospital nurses on this day will also start teaching either you or your spouse how to administer the injection of the low molecular weight Heparin which is used to prevent blood clots. Usually the occupational therapist will work with you, showing you how to put on socks and do those things that you usually take for granted; activities of daily living.
Day 4
On this day you will continue with your physical therapy and with ambulation, walking with your assistive device and practicing stairs. By this day most people are feeling very good and it is very common for patients to leave the hospital on this day.
Additional Information
Recovering at Home
Wound Care
Pain Control
Rehabilitation Program
More Questions or Concerns?
Return Appointments
Reminders
Recovering at Home
* Always follow the directions given by your doctor.
* Eat what appeals to you, remembering that your digestive system will be sluggish after anesthesia. It is best to stay on a simple diet, increasing to your normal diet as you can tolerate. If vomiting is persistent, contact your physician.
* Taking deep breaths and coughing helps to minimize the possible risk of pneumonia. To reduce the discomfort coughing may cause, try holding a pillow snuggly over the surgical area.
* Please feel free to call the office or hospital with questions, concerns or problems.
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Wound Care
* Keep your wound and bandage clean and dry. Change and remove bandage as instructed.
* Your wound should not come in contact with water. Change any bandage immediately if it becomes wet or bloody.
* When showering, it is recommended to sit on a chair in the shower, keeping the bandaged area out of the direct water spray.
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Pain Control
* Applying ice for the first 24-48 hours after surgery will reduce pain and welling.
* Elevating the incision above heart level as much as possible will also reduce pain and swelling.
* Elevate your arm or leg after exercises and always at night with your knee above heart level.
* Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not drink alcohol when you are taking this medication. Take medication 30 minutes before exercises.
* Eventually pain subsides and Tylenol should control your pain.
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Rehabilitation Program
A physical therapist will instruct you on crutch ambulation, range of motion, and strengthening exercises. Continuing these exercises after your surgery is important to maintain range of motion, reduce scar tissue and strengthen weakened muscles. Your physician will specify when you should begin an exercise program to gain motion and/or to strengthen muscles.
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More Questions or Concerns?
We understand that surgery can be frightening and confusing with so many special instructions. If you would like to have a tour of the surgery department or a chance to talk with a nurse about your upcoming surgery, please feel free to call Dr. Stachniw's office to set up an appointment. The tour and visit can be extremely helpful. Family members are also welcome.
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Return Appointments
Follow-up visits are necessary for your doctor to chart progress, change bandages, check for any complications and evaluate your rehabilitation progress. You will need to set up an appointment 6 weeks after the surgery as well as 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after.
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Reminders
Contact Midwest Orthopedic Services if any of the following occur:
* Swelling, tingling, pain or numbness in your toes, which is not normally related to the surgery.
* Drainage that is foul smelling, green or yellow, or drainage where there was none before.
* Chills or temperature above 101.3F or if greater than 100.4 F for 24 hours.
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