HARDWARE REMOVAL POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

General Anesthesia:

If you were put to sleep for your surgery and are not staying in the hospital, you should have someone at home to assist you for at least the first 24 hours. You may feel drowsy or fatigued throughout the day.
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or return to work for at least 24 hours following anesthesia.

Diet:

Start with clear liquids and gradually return to your regular diet as tolerated.

Pain Control:

Take your prescribed pain medication as directed and with food to reduce stomach upset.
Apply ice to the surgical area and elevate your leg (“toes above the nose”) to help manage swelling and discomfort.
If you received a nerve block, do not leave ice on the area for more than 15 minutes at a time. Follow all instructions from the anesthesia department regarding your nerve block.

Wound Care:

For the first few days, keep your leg elevated (“toes above the nose”) to reduce swelling. Ice may also be used intermittently.
You may remove your dressing after 5 days, then cover the wounds with Band-Aids or small dressings. If steri-strips (small white or tan paper strips) are present, do not remove them—they will fall off on their own.

You may shower, but do not soak your leg in water (no baths, hot tubs, or swimming) until your stitches are removed.

If you choose to keep the dressing on longer than 5 days, keep it dry. You can cover your leg with a garbage bag sealed at the top with tape, or rest your leg on the edge of the tub during bathing.
Reusable waterproof cast covers are also available at most retail pharmacies.

Activity:

Rest quietly on the day of surgery.
Starting two days after surgery, you may gradually increase your weight-bearing as tolerated.
Avoid any twisting or high-impact activities (e.g., tennis, basketball, baseball, skiing) for 6 weeks.
Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, or swimming are generally safe, but check with your surgeon during follow-up if you are unsure.

Call Our Office If You Experience:

• A wet or soaked splint, cast, or dressing

• Swelling in the foot, ankle, or calf that doesn’t improve with elevation

• Increased numbness or tingling in your foot

• Calf pain that is tender and warm to the touch

• Fever over 101°F or chills

• Increased pain, with or without activity

• Redness, warmth, or drainage at the incision site

• The incision begins to open or separate

Who to Call:

• During office hours: Call (949) 722-7038

• After hours or weekends: Call (949) 722-5035 to reach the on-call nurse or physician

Your Follow-Up Appointment:

Schedule your post-operative appointment 10 to 14 days after surgery with Dr. Nicholas Wegner.