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Planning for Surgery
Post-Operative Home Instructions
TUBERCLE OSTEOTOMY SURGERY
The following instructions are a guide for the care of your knee until you see your physician around 7-14 days after surgery. Please call the office at 352-326-8115 to make an appointment. When you call, mention that you have already had your surgery. The most important concerns during the first week involve decreasing swelling and improving range of motion.
- ICE: If a cryo cuff was provided for you, use it as often as you can over a 24-hour period for the next 8-10 days. Keep a gauze pad, washcloth, or ace wrap between your skin and the cooling unit. Use it a minimum of 8 hours a day. If you have problems with the unit call the manufacturer at the number provided on the unit or call the office during normal business hours. You may remove the cryo cup when not using it. If you do not have a cryo cuff, you can use ice bags/packs for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours during waking hours.
- ELEVATION: Keep your leg elevated whenever possible. During the first week after surgery, you should try to minimize walking to help keep the swelling down. When sitting or laying down, try to elevate your knee above the level of your waist. Place pillows or rolls underneath your heel, never directly under your knee. If you place pillows under your knee, it will remain in a bent position and make it exceedingly difficult to straighten.
- DRESSING: Starting three days after surgery, change the bandage on your knee daily using clean, dry gauze bandages and tape. If you also had arthroscopic surgery, then you can place band-aids on the incisions. The bandages will likely be wet and bloody; this is normal, as the knee is filled with water during the surgery and it leaks out for 1-2 days after surgery. Do not remove the steri-strip tapes, which are applied directly to your skin.
- BATHING: You should keep your incisions dry (no shower or baths). Starting three days after the surgical date, you may shower but baths and hot tubs are prohibited until authorized by surgeon. To keep your wounds/dressing dry, snugly wrap the knee with plastic wrap and secure with tape.
- BRACE: You may wear your brace/immobilizer outside of your clothes but you should wear it at all times except in the shower. Your brace should be in the full extension locked position for ambulation. You may release the hinges to allow motion while you are sitting or doing your therapy. If you have a cryo cuff, it should be worn under the brace/immobilizer.
- CRUTCHES: Use your crutches at all times for ambulation during the first two weeks. You may place your foot down for balance purposes only, unless instructed otherwise.
- MOTION EXERCISES: Starting the day after surgery, you can release the hinges on the brace several times a day to work on range of motion. Perform the exercises as demonstrated by your physical therapist. Also, consider icing your knee after doing your exercises.
- MEDICATION: You will have a prescription for pain medication to take home with you. Use the pills as directed to allow you to begin moving your knee. All patients on pain medication should take a stool softener. Any requests for prescription refills must be made during normal business hours. No refills will be authorized after hours.
- FOLLOW-UP: You should have an appointment to see the surgeon approximately 7-14 days after surgery.
- PHYSICAL THERAPY: You will be given a prescription for physical therapy. Please make an appointment with the therapist to start your therapy as soon as possible, usually up to 7 days after surgery.
**NOTICE: If you develop any signs of infection, such as temperature over 101.5° F, drainage from your wound, or increased redness and swelling, you should contact the office immediately at 352-326-8115.
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