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Home > Existing Patients > Postoperative Instructions > General Postoperative Instructions

General Postoperative Instructions

Medication

Only take the pain medication that Dr. Romeo has prescribed for you. You will be unable to receive more medication if you finish the pills too soon. A prescription for Reglan 10mg should be filled if you are experiencing nausea and vomiting after surgery. Your pain medication can also make you nauseated so take it with food.

Ice machines and bags of ice

Ice your shoulder or elbow 4-5 times a day for 20 minutes at a time. We recommend that you do this at least for the first 3 days.

Follow-up appointment

Call Dr. Romeo’s Clinical Secretary Andrea at 312-432-2342 today or tomorrow to schedule a follow up appointment for 7-10 days, or fill out the online appointment request form. During this visit you will have your sutures removed by Dr Romeo’s Physician Assistant. Dr Romeo will see you three to four weeks after that visit.

Therapy

Call your local hospital or PT clinic today or tomorrow for an appointment for physical therapy.

Dr. Romeo will decide based on your surgery when to start PT. If you are not sure, please call the office.

You can go to any clinic or hospital of your choice. Please take you PT instructions with you.

Slings and Braces

Please wear you sling or brace at all times until your follow up appointment with Dr. Romeo. Only remove your sling for PT, home exercises and bathing. To bathe under your surgical arm, lean forward from your waist and allow your arm to fall forward to wash under your arm. Do not lean to the side. You can put a washcloth under your arm for comfort if you choose. If you are wearing a Gunslinger brace, do not remove your brace.

Home Exercises 3-5 times a day

Take your arm out of your sling to move your elbow and wrist, but not your shoulder. Move your elbow up and down, move your wrist in a circular motion and make a fist 10-15 times each hour to help reduce swelling in your hand and arm.

Driving

Please do not drive for 4-6 weeks or as otherwise told by Dr Romeo. You should not drive while you are still on narcotics (Vicodin, OxyContin, etc).

Wound care

You can change your dressing in two (2) days. Remove the old bandage and you will see old blood and butterfly strips (Steri-strips). Leave the strips in place. DO NOT PUT any alcohol, lotions, or any other medications on your sutures. You can clean AROUND the area with a CLEAN washcloth and soap and water ONLY. Cover the area with a clean dressing (4X4) from the drug store.

When to call the Doctor

If you have a fever above 101.5, chills, sweats, excessive bleeding (example: you had to change the dressing twice), foul odor, excessive redness, excruciating pain, yellow or green discharge, or if you think you have an infection call 312-243-4244 ask to speak to Dr Romeo’s Physician Assistant. Evenings, nights and weekends, call 312-942-7277 and ask the operator to page the Orthopedic resident on call or go to your local emergency room.

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