General Instructions:
- You will be given instructions on your post-operative weight-bearing status before surgery
- Crutches (King Soopers or Walgreens)
- Knee Scooter
- Purchase:
- Local Goodwill or Craigslist - varies
- Amazon.com - $109-$399
- Walmart.com - $100-$299
- Rocky Mountain Medical Supply for Medicaid - $150 (requires a prescription)
- Rent:
- Kneescooterusa.com - $40-$60/month
- Neighbor or Friend
- Total Orthopedics - $5/day or $150/month (requires a prescription)
- If you were placed in a splint after surgery, do NOT remove the dressing (it may loosen the ACE bandage if it is too tight)
- Use a shower bag to keep dressing dry (Walgreens)
- Elevate lower extremity on 2-3 pillows
- Ice packs at the surgical site or behind the knee (30 min on and 30 min off)
- Handicap Paperwork
- Driving: No one should operate a motor vehicle while taking narcotic medications and/or while in a splint or orthotic device such as a boot or post-operative shoe. Please limit car driving until you are off narcotics for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Physical therapy: The decision to prescribe physical therapy and when to start these activities is made on a case-by-case basis. This will be discussed with you on your first postoperative visit.
Medications
- NO anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, for 6 Weeks post-surgery (Tylenol is OK)
- Day of surgery home medications per the surgery center
Prescribed Medications:
Pain medication
- Pain after surgery is to be expected!
- You will likely receive a nerve block at the surgery center prior to your procedure; this will be used to help control your initial pain in the first 12-24 hours in an attempt to make you more comfortable. Initiate pain medication the evening following surgery and should be taken as indicated below:
- Oxycodone 5 mg every four hours as needed for pain
- Tylenol 1,000 mg every eight hours as needed for pain
- Gabapentin 300mg once before bedtime to help with nerve-related pain and pain while sleeping
- Zofran 4mg every eight hours as needed for nausea
- Take pain medication with food to help prevent nausea/vomiting.
- Narcotic pain medications and anesthesia can cause constipation. We have provided you a prescription for the below medication which should be taken as indicated:
- Senna 8.6 mg twice per day for constipation when you are taking narcotic pain medication.
- If constipation does not improve, contact your primary care provider.
Anticoagulant Therapy
- Please take Aspirin 81 mg once daily for 3 weeks to help prevent the risk of blood clot after surgery. You should start Aspirin the day after surgery.
Antibiotic
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic, please initiate 6 hours after surgery and take the medication as indicated on the prescription bottle. Take until finished, no refills needed.
Vitamins
- If you are not already taking, please begin taking the following vitamins to help with overall bone health:
- Calcium 1,000-1,200 mg per day
- Vitamin D 800-1,000 IU per day
- One-a-day multivitamin one per day
Follow-up Appointment:
- You will follow up in approximately two weeks for your first post-operative visit at which time we will remove your sutures and discuss your post-operative plan
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AT (720) 848-3668