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| Before Surgery Instructions: |
In the days leading up to your procedure, you'll need to arrange for a ride to and from the hospital, as well as help at home after returning from the hospital. Please do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing products, or anti-inflammatory drugs for one week before procedure, as these may affect healing after your operation. The medical staff may give you antibiotics to take before the procedure to help prevent infection. The night before, have a light dinner and do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
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| Prior to the procedure, you will be given anesthesia, plus catheters to monitor the blood pressure in your veins and arteries, as well as your urinary output. |
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| After Surgery Instructions: |
After the operation, you may receive fluids and pain medications by IV for the first one or two days, and then by mouth if necessary. Depending on your individual situation, you may wear an oxygen mask for ten to twelve hours following surgery. An epidural in your back to numb the surgical site and relieve pain will be left in place for three to five days after surgery; once this is removed, medication to relieve pain is given by mouth. |
Once you are home, use cold packs to decrease pain and swelling during the first few days after surgery. Use them for fifteen or twenty minutes per hour, as needed. After two days, you may use a heating pad or hot water bottle for fifteen or twenty minutes per hour. |
As you heal from the surgery, It is normal for your leg to remain swollen for two to three months. Do not drive for four to six weeks, or, if pain lasts longer then that, until you are pain free. To recover the normal strength in your leg, walk each day (as directed by your doctor), increasing the length of your walk slowly, each day, over time. |
Your doctor will prescribe physical therapy as well as other exercises to help heal and strengthen your leg. Gradually increase the amount of walking and of overall physical activity slowly each day. To aid the healing process, when you are not walking or doing exercises, keep your legs elevated, especially the leg on which surgery was performed, and place a pillow under your leg when sleeping. Shower as normal, using mild soap and water, but do not take baths until the surgical wound heals completely. When not showering, keep the surgical wound as dry as possible, but do not use talc or powder. To help prevent similar problems in the future, avoid fatty foods. Do not smoke, because smoking can jeopardize the success of your surgery. |
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