FAQs
Pre-operative Frequently Asked Questions
Most daily medications can be continued, but some – like blood thinners and certain diabetes medications – may need to be stopped before surgery. Generally, aspirin is stopped the morning of surgery; Coumadin/Plavix are stopped 2 to 3 days prior, and GLP1 medications (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are stopped 10 days prior if possible.
Yes, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery.
Yes. You should not drive yourself after surgery or while taking pain medications. Arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home and to help you during the first few days.
Yes. Smoking and alcohol can affect healing and anesthesia safety. Stopping at least a few weeks before surgery can lower your risk of complications and help with wound and fracture healing during the post-operative period.
Post-Operative FAQs
Some pain is normal after surgery, especially during the first week. Pain should gradually improve. If your pain suddenly worsens or is not controlled with prescribed medication, contact your care team.
To minimize the amount of narcotic pain mediations prescribed to each of our patients, we utilize a multi-modal pathway for pain management. This means that several different medications, each affecting a different pain sensation pathway, will be prescribed. These include medications from various families of drugs: 1) a weak non-addictive opioid, and 2) an anti-inflammatory which helps reduce pain and swelling. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) may be taken as needed up to 4 grams (4000 mg) per day in addition to prescribed medications. A small amount of a stronger opioid for pain, that cannot be controlled with the above combination, will also be provided:
- Meloxicam 15 mg: take once daily. This medication helps with inflammation, swelling and pain.
- Tramadol 50 mg: take every 6 hours as needed for pain. This low-dose narcotic is an excellent pain reliever especially when used in conjunction with Meloxicam and Tylenol.
- Oxycodone 5 mg: will be prescribed and can be taken up to four times a day if the above protocol does not relieve symptoms of pain (breakthrough pain).
- Aspirin 81 mg daily: this is prescribed to prevent blood clots. Take daily until prescription is complete.
- Tylenol 500 mg: take 2 tablets up to four times a day. This is not prescribed but it is OK to take with the above medications.
DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prophylaxis is treatment to prevent blood clots. Aspirin has been proven to be as effective as other medications and is generally prescribed for 3 weeks after surgery in patients who are immobilized.
If you are in a splint or boot, it is ok to move your fingers and toes. This will help with swelling and decrease the risk of post-operative stiffness. Keeping your extremity elevated above the level of your heart for the first 24-48 hours will also be helpful for swelling and pain control. It is normal for your injury to continue to swell after surgery, especially if it has not been elevated during the day. Elevating at night should be helpful with this.
Using ice can also help with swelling. It should not be applied directly to the skin as it can cause burns. Ice can be used in 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off fashion.
Yes. It is also normal for bruising to get worse or move up/down the extremity after the surgery as your body deals with the swelling from the fracture/surgery.
You should not drive while taking narcotic pain medication or until you can safely control the vehicle with restriction. For leg surgery, this often means waiting for at least two months. For arm surgery, you may be able to drive sooner once you are safe and comfortable.
Stitches or staples are typically removed around 14 days after surgery at your first post-operative visit. Sometimes, dissolvable stitches are used which do not need removal.
Please keep your dressings clean and dry and leave them on until your clinic follow-up visit. Some minimal saturation of the dressing is OK. Please do not use any ointment under the dressing/bandage. Usually, you may be able to shower after a few days but cover the dressing/bandage with a bag (plastic) and let the team know if it accidentally gets wet.
You may shower on post-operative day 2 or 3, however, do not wet the wound/dressing. Cover the area with tape and plastic wrap and keep the wound dry at all times. Do not soak the knee/arm in water or go swimming in a pool, ocean or lake until advised by your doctor (minimum two weeks).
What signs of infection should I look for?
If you develop a fever (101.5 F), redness or drainage from the surgical incision, please call our office to arrange for an evaluation.
This depends on your injury, surgery type, and your job. Sedentary work may be possible within weeks, while heavy labor or sports may require months or recovery and physical therapy.
You should have a 2-week post-operative visit scheduled. If not, call the office at 512-485-0544. Any sutures or staples will be removed at that time.