Joshua Metzl, MD, Foot and Ankle Specialist, Instagram   Appointments:

Englewood  (303) 694-3333

 

After Your Surgery

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
          • Call 208-408-1888
        • 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 (may loosen the ACE bandage if 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 clots 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 (303) 694-3333

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