Patient Info
Post-Operative Care (General)
You should have made your follow up visits when you schedule your surgery.
Have a family member fill your prescription for pain medication prior to your
return home.
Initial Discharge Instructions for Patients
- You will be given intravenous, epidural or popliteal nerve block
medication if you are admitted to the hospital. This will be used to treat
pain in the first 24 hours following surgery.
- You will be also given a prescription for Vicodin. Vicodin is also a
pain relieving medication, and you should start the Vicodin 3-4 days after
surgery. Vicodin is less strong that Percocet, and you should discontinue
Percocet when you start your Vicodin. You do not need to use the Vistaril
when you are on Vicodin.
- It is important that you take these medications when you get home;
again, Percocet and Vistaril initially. Even if you have no pain, it is
important that you take these medications initially as the pain is being
numbed by the epidural or popliteal block, which will wear off after 12-24
hours. It is important that you have medication on board to take care of
this break-through pain.
- You will be discharged from the Hospital with a walker or crutches and a
physical therapist will instruct you in how to use either of these.
- It is important that you keep your dressings clean and dry. The initial
dressing will be removed at 10-14 days following your day of surgery. At
this point, if the sutures are ready, they too will be removed. Should your
dressing become wet, you must not use a hair dryer to dry it, but must call
the resident-on-call or Dr. Kennedy to make an immediate appointment to have
the dressing changed. If you are taking a shower, you must use a commercial
cast protector. We have found that these are not always waterproof and so,
therefore, we recommend that two be used every time you shower. It is useful
to have a shower bench prior to surgery since you should not be
weight-bearing in the shower. We recommend, certainly, for the initial two
week period that you take a sponge bath rather than a shower with its risk
of a fall.
The Necessary Rest Period Post-operatively
Accept that this is a Time to Heal - The word Heal comes from the old
English word haelan meaning ‘to make whole and well’. Some common synonyms for
heal are ‘restore, repair, renew, revivify, regenerate, rejuvenate mend, pull
through, improve or get better.’ While these are all very obvious points, in
glossing over them, we can easily overlook the inherent responsibility in the
word heal which is actually a verb. Verbs imply ‘action,’ even if that action is
‘passive.’ We’re not suggesting that you “DO” healing or “WORK” yourself into a
‘healed’ condition. We are however, recommending that you prepare your body and
tend to it post operatively with proper rest nutrition and physical therapy. Eat
well, rest well, drink plenty of water; avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes.
What to Expect Afterward - Your body’s bone and tissue have been moved by
the surgery procedure. At one end of the spectrum this in and of itself will
produce atypical sensations and at the other end of the spectrum, there is post
op pain. You will have pain medication to manage any initial discomfort.
Pain Management - The medication will take care of the pain and will most
likely make you drowsy.
Rest - Give yourself carte blanche permission to relax and abstain from the
regular rhythms of your life - Rest. Sleep. As with “heal”, Rest and Sleep are
verbs and to engage with them effectively you need to participate. How? The
medication should help. But if you find it difficult to rest, you can aid the
process by simply giving yourself permission. For the days immediately following
your surgery, let go of ANY AND ALL expectations to complete tasks or projects
or work. Rest defined means – to gently abstain from stimulation, movement,
activity, stress and worry. As you rest, the body can focus all of its innate
intelligence and energy on the surgical site. While recovery may seem like a
long time, when you realize the scope of what is being done and the opportunity
our renewed ability offers us for optimal health and wellness, it is time
well-spent.
General aches and pains – Some people experience a generalized soreness
or aching muscles, which is often the consequence of being sedentary. On one
hand, this demonstrates how movement and exercise support your body’s basic
needs for increased levels of oxygen. Stiffness or generalized muscle aches are
the result of in-activity. You can assist your body by adopting a gentle routine
of slow stretching and movement – to the NON-effected areas of the body. This
will facilitate the body in releasing excess fluids as well as prompt the body
to release any toxins normally released during exercise or movement.
Start with some slow / gentle movements of the non effected parts of your body.
Gently roll your head; move your shoulders, arms, and hands. Condition
permitting, gently twist your torso just enough to loosen up the muscles of the
abdominal cavity. Drink plenty of water; this will help your healing in many
ways – from flushing the system to providing the metabolic support for joint
lubrication. Eat oxygen rich foods – leafy greens, fruits, veggies.
Utilize alternative healing modalities - Simple logic - if YOU are not
moving very much, employ a modality that assist your body in circulating its
fluids and meeting its goals and needs for circulation. Blood is responsible for
oxygenating you tissue. Normal activities of daily living – (walking, making the
bed, ascending / descending the stairs), all these simple activities normally
assist us in maintaining a good metabolic process. When you’re not weight-baring
and not moving as much, you’ll expedite your recovery by taking the help of
Healing disciplines that promote good circulation of your body’s oxygenated
blood for you. Massage of the back, neck, arms and torso is acceptable. Massage
circulates the body’s lymph drainage and helps the body to detoxify. Acupuncture
opens up essential channels of energy that get blocked by any one of a number of
things – trauma, inactivity, toxicity, and stress to name a few.
DO NOT MASSAGE THE LEGS – If you opt to have massage, avoid massaging
either or both legs until you have clearance from your doctor.
Rehabilitation
It is absolutely true that in nearly every case, a period of absolute rest
and passivity is required, but that period is fairly short. Each patient is an
individual with his and her own history and there are general trends in recovery
that can be referenced as basic barometers.
As we mentioned earlier your body has been sedentary - working at a slower
metabolic pace. As you start to work with the physical therapist you may feel a
bit weaker than prior to surgery. The Physical therapist is working from the
doctor’s prescription for your care, and should be able to gauge your ability to
progress. Work steadily and pace yourself. True Healing occurs when periods of
work and rest are proportionately balanced.
Expect miracles but by all means work within what is reasonable for your age,
weight, overall health and place in the timeline of your recovery. Do not
OVER-DO anything. You are the only one who can assess your progress. Dialogue
with the physical therapist.
Come for your follow up visits. In this way Dr. Kennedy and his associates can
assess your progress and recommend any adjustments you may need.
Keep an eye on your attitude. Pain is a barometer. It can indicate whether
you’re doing to much or to little. At best it tells you when you’re doing ‘too
much too soon.’ An athlete can tell you that he / she works consciously with
pain; it informs their training. Too much would leave them fatigued. Too little
and they’ll never build the stamina needed to win.
A good attitude will expedite your recovery. If you find you’re un-able to
maintain a positive state, seek the support you need from family, friends and if
need be – by a professional. The body is inextricably connected to your
emotional and mental states. If negative feelings go “un-checked” they can
magnify the normal aches and pains that are typical in the recovery process. It
is not a reflection on you if you feel frustrated. Most people experience
varying degrees of frustration at some point in life. You simply need to counter
the feeling with a positive action. Otherwise you may compromise the rate of
your recovery.
In summary - Some Very Basic Principles for Recovery
- Prepare
- Rest
- Hydration - Drink Water
- Oxygenation - Breathe Deeply
- Circulation - when the time is right - move as per Dr. Kennedy's
Directions
We wish you the very best for a healthy recovery!!!
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