PRE SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS

• A pre-operative history and physical will be scheduled for you. Please prepare any questions or concerns you may have so they may be addressed during this visit.
• You will be given your pain medication prescription, post-operative office appointment and physical therapy prescription.
• Please be sure to set your phycial therapy appointments with our receptionist during this visit. You must see our phyical therapy receptionists even if you will not be doing therapy in our office. If your insurance does not allow you to have therapy here, we will assist you in finding a facilitiy.
• You may want to consider purchasing waterproof (not water-resistant) band-aids prior to surgery. This will allow you to shower after surgery.

POST SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS

• You should focus on a bland diet due to mild nausea that may follow the anesthesia. This diet may include sandwiches, soup, salads, and bananas. Avoid spicy of acidic foods.
• Drink water or sports drinks. No sodas.
• Pain medication should be taken, one to two tablets every six hours as needed for pain. If you received a block, begin pain medication before bed, before block wears off.
• The first day after surgery you may remove the bandages and place waterproof band-aids over the incision when showering. You may shower only after you ensure the band-aids are firmly sealed around the incision. Once you finish showering you may remove the waterproof band-aids and replace them with regular band-aids. You want to ensure the incisions get air and remain clean and dry.
• You will begin physical therapy 1-2 days after surgery. Please make sure your appointment is made prior to surgery.
• If you have any questions, you may call us the next business day, i.e. Monday if the surgery was on a Friday.
• Please use your sling/crutches/walker until your first therapy appointment.
• Knee Scopes: If no repair, weight bearing as tolerated. All knee scopes should start ankle pumps.
• Shoulder Scopes: Move elbow and wrist,  use squeeze ball.
• Elbow Scopes: Start gentle range of motion

POST OPERATIVE VISITS

• Your appointment with the Physician Assistant will be the day after surgery if you are going to physical therapy in another facility, i.e. Monday if the surgery was on Friday.
• If you are going to physical therapy in our facility, then your appointment with the Physician Assistant will be scheduled for 7-10 days after your surgery and you sutures will be removed.
• In certain situations, an x-ray may be taken.
• Your follow-up visit with Dr. Gelb will be approximately 2 weeks after the sutures have been removed.

HOW TO USE CRUTCHES, CANES AND WALKERS

If you ever break a bone in your leg or foot, have a surgical procedure on your lower limb, or suffer a stroke, you may need to use crutches, a cane, or a walker. In the beginning, everything you do may seem difficult. But, with a few tips and some practice, you will gain confidence and learn to use your walking aid safely.

General Guidelines

• Remove scatter rugs, electrical cords, spills, and anything else that may cause you to fall.
• In the bathroom, use nonslip bath mats, grab bars, a raised toilet seat, and a shower tub seat.
• Simplify your household to keep the items you need handy and everything else out of the way.
• Use a backpack, fanny pack, apron, or briefcase to help you carry things around.

Click Here for instructions on using crutches, canes and walkers

CARE OF CASTS AND SPLINTS

Splints and casts support and protect injured bones and soft tissue, reducing pain, swelling, and muscle spasm. In some cases, splints and casts are applied following surgery.

Splints or “half-casts” provide less support than casts. However, splints can be adjusted to accommodate swelling from injuries easier than enclosed casts. Your doctor will decide which type of support will be best for you.

Click Here for instructions on the care of casts and splints