Surgical Day Care - Home Care Instructions
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Brigham Foot and Ankle Center
Date:
Physician: Dr. Bluman - 617 983 7202
Diagnosis:
Procedure:
BWF Hosp. Emergency Dept.: 617 983 7141
Next office appointment:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Swelling - Swelling is expected after any surgery. Different degrees of swelling may be present depending
on a number of factors. You can minimize swelling by staying off your feet and keeping your foot and
ankle elevated. This is best accomplished by lying flat on your back with your hip and knee at 90°. By
doing this, the foot is above the level of your heart and swelling is minimized. Please see the illustrated
instruction sheet on elevation.
Pain - Everyone experiences some degree of pain after surgery. This pain is worse for some compared to
others. You will be given a prescription for pain medication before you leave the hospital. Please tell us if
you are allergic to any pain medications. If you had a nerve block, it is important to start taking the pain
medication as soon as you feel the anesthetic is wearing off.
Bleeding - Bleeding is not uncommon after surgery. You may notice slight oozing or spotting through
your bandages. If bleeding soaks through your dressings and starts dripping please call your surgeon’s
office.
WHAT TO DO AFTER SURGERY
1. Rest. Remain at home for 24 hours. You should either lay on a couch or in bed with the foot and ankle
elevated. Your foot must be elevated 1-2 feet higher than your heart level. Check the circulation of your
toes frequently.
2. Stay off the Operative Extremity. You will likely be required to be non-weight bearing on the
operative extremity. Your surgeon will tell you how much weight, if any you may place on the operative
extremity. Follow the specific weight-bearing instructions given to you by your surgeon.
3. Cooling (cryotherapy). of the operative extremity helps with swelling control and may provide some
pain relief. Small commercially available ice packs are not ideal. Your surgeon may recommend a
commercially available cooling device to aid in pain control and swelling reduction. We recommend
filling a large plastic bag with ice and propping the bag over the foot and ankle.
Cryotherapy is useful even why you have a splint on your foot and ankle. Cool your foot for 20 minutes
every hour while you are awake. Do not exceed this amount while your nerve block is still working. After
your nerve block wears off you can continue cryotherapy as long as you can tolerate. Do not ice your foot
continuously while you are asleep.
4. Take Pain Medication. If you are taking pain medication, you may develop some mild drowsiness or
nausea. If these become excessive, or if you develop dizziness or a rash, stop taking the medication and
call your surgeon's office. To prevent nausea have a small amount to eat prior to taking the medication.
5. Refrain from Activities in Which Decreased Alertness Might be a Hazard. Abstain from alcohol,
driving and operating machinery. You must be accompanied home by a responsible adult. You cannot
drive or drink alcohol while taking narcotic pain medications. Narcotic pain medications include
oxycodone, codeine, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, among others. You should not make important
decisions while on narcotics.
Signature of patient: _____________________________ Responsible Adult: ______________________
Nurse discharging patient: _____________________________________
Surgical Day Care - Home Care Instructions
Page 2 of 2
Brigham Foot and Ankle Center
6. Care for Your Cast/Splint.
Do not change the dressing or splint.
Your cast and or dressing must be kept clean and dry.
To keep the splint/cast dry bathing must be done with a plastic bag over your splint or dressing.
7. Call your physician if:
Your toes and or foot become pale, cool, and feel numb.
There is severe redness or swelling of your operative site.
You have severe pain, unrelieved by pain medication.
You have unusual discharge from your wound.
You have a temperature greater than 101.5°F
You are having difficulty urinating.
You have any concerns.
8. Do not smoke or take in any nicotine (i.e. no nicotine gum, no nicotine patches, no electronic
cigarettes, no chewing tobacco or snuff) You will take in nicotine just by being in the same room as
someone who is smoking. Have friends and family members smoke outside.
9. Additional instructions:
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Signature of patient: _____________________________ Responsible Adult: ______________________
Nurse discharging patient: _____________________________________