Question 1

Preparing For Surgery

Accepted Answer

Choose Your Recovery Helper
Make arrangements with a friend or family member who’s available to stay with you day and night for the first week after surgery. This person can help you with your daily activities as well as transportation.
 
Stop Smoking
Studies show that nicotine use inhibits bone fusion and delays healing, so entering into surgery nicotine-free promotes the best possible outcome. This is why our patients must stop using all nicotine-containing products for 4 weeks before surgery, and in addition your surgeon may require a urine nicotine test.

Question 2

After Surgery

Accepted Answer

Wearing a brace
You may need to wear a brace following your surgery. It’s important to wear this brace throughout the whole day, but it isn’t necessary while sleeping. 
 
Walking
Walking promotes healing by keeping healthy blood circulating. It also helps prevent blood clots, pneumonia, and constipation. Make it a priority to walk 1 mile every day after surgery, either all at once or broken up throughout the day. 
 
Travel
If you feel up to it, traveling on a plane is permitted 4 weeks after your surgery, and traveling as a passenger in a car is fine anytime after surgery. To decrease the risk of blood clots and stiffness, remember to take regular stretching and moving breaks for all trips over 1 hour. 
 
Returning to Work
Since work duties vary greatly between jobs and individuals, you and your surgeon will discuss a return-to-work plan that’s tailored to you. It’s important to return to activities slowly and gradually, paying attention to signs you may be pushing yourself too quickly (like fatigue and pain).

Post-Op Do’s and Don’ts

Do:
✔ Wear your brace at all times while out of bed
✔ Walk 1 mile every day
✔ Change positions often
✔ Limit sitting to 20 minutes at a time
✔ Keep incisions clean and dry
✔ Wear compression stockings until daily mile walks are consistent

Don’t:
✖ Lift anything over 5 pounds
✖ Bend or twist in repetitive ways
✖ Smoke
✖ Take anti-inflammatories until cleared with by surgeon

Please report any of these post-op concerns to your surgeon:

• Increased drainage from your incision
 • Increased leg pain or weakness
 • Increased swelling or redness around the incision site
 • Fever or chills
 • Nausea or vomiting
 • Prolonged constipation
 • Calf pain

ALERT: Chest pain or shortness of breath is considered a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention.

Call or Text: (970) 382-9500

Fax: (844) 828-9725

Surgical Treatments