Shoulder

• After shoulder surgery:​

• Take your prescribed pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed.

• Engage in regular, gentle exercises as recommended. I you were given a shoulder brace or sling, unhook the strap around your neck as soon as you sit down. This will keep pressure off your neck. Frequently move your elbow in your hand to prevent them from getting stiff. 

• Use your brace as instructed.  Typically you will need to wear your brace when you are sleeping or if you are up and active. In most circumstances you will not have to wear when you're sitting down. Make sure you clarify this with your surgeon.

• Keep the surgical incision clean and dry and follow any specific wound care instructions provided by your surgeon.

• On the fourth day after your surgery, you may take brief showers. Get in and get wet and turn off the water. Soap up, rinse, and get out the shower. Do not remove the glue that covers your incisions. When you get out, wipe your shoulder down with 70% rubbing alcohol.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly. Your follow-up appointment should be roughly 2 weeks after surgery.

• If you experience unusual pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 423 – 353 – 1070

Knee

• After a knee replacement:

• adhere to the prescribed pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed.

• The Engage in regular, gentle exercises recommended by your physical therapist to improve flexibility and strength in the knee joint.

• Use assistive devices, such as crutches or a walker, as needed to ensure stability and prevent falls.

• Keep the surgical incision clean and dry, following any specific wound care instructions provided by your surgeon.

• You may take brief showers. Get in and get wet and turn off the water. Soap up, rinse, and get out the shower. Your big silver Band-Aid make it wet but do not let it become loose.

• Wear your compression socks every day for six weeks. You may take them off at night to rinse them in the sink to clean them. Let them air dry. Do not wash them in the washer and dryer or they will lose their elasticity.

• Use your bending machine (constant passive motion ,CPM) if your insurance permitted you to have one. Started at 60° on the third day after surgery. Advance it 10° every 15 minutes to 90° for the first three days. On the fourth day advance it to 120°. You should do this in the morning, afternoon, and evening. For a total of three sessions.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly. Your follow-up appointment should be roughly 2 weeks after surgery.

• Gradually resume daily activities, avoiding high-impact or strenuous exercises.

• Avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Otherwise, you will experience significant swelling.

• If you experience unusual pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 423 – 353 – 1070

• After knee arthroscopy:

• adhere to the prescribed pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed.

• The Engage in regular, gentle exercises recommended by your physical therapist to improve flexibility and strength in the knee joint.

• Use assistive devices, such as crutches or a walker, as needed to ensure stability and prevent falls.

• Keep the surgical incision clean and dry, following any specific wound care instructions provided by your surgeon.

• You may take brief showers. Get in and get wet and turn off the water. Soap up, rinse, and get out the shower. Your big silver Band-Aid make it wet but do not let it become loose.

• Wear your compression socks every day for six weeks. You may take them off at night to rinse them in the sink to clean them. Let them air dry. Do not wash them in the washer and dryer or they will lose their elasticity.

• Use your bending machine (constant passive motion ,CPM) if your insurance permitted you to have one. Started at 60° on the third day after surgery. Advance it 10° every 15 minutes to 90° for the first three days. On the fourth day advance it to 120°. You should do this in the morning, afternoon, and evening. For a total of three sessions.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly. Your follow-up appointment should be roughly 2 weeks after surgery.

• Gradually resume daily activities, avoiding high-impact or strenuous exercises.

• Avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Otherwise, you will experience significant swelling.

• If you experience unusual pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 423 – 353 – 1070

Hip

• After a hip replacement:

• adhere to the prescribed pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed.

• The Engage in regular, gentle exercises recommended by your physical therapist.

• Use assistive devices, such as crutches or a walker, as needed to ensure stability and prevent falls.

• Keep the surgical incision clean and dry, following any specific wound care instructions provided by your surgeon.

• Wear your compression socks every day for six weeks. You may take them off at night to rinse them in the sink to clean them. Let them air dry. Do not wash them in the washer and dryer or they will lose their elasticity.

• You may take brief showers. Get in, get wet and turn off the water. Soap up, rinse, and get out the shower. Your shower should not last longer than three minutes. Your big silver Band-Aid make it wet but do not let it become loose.

• Avoid reclining chairs.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly. Your follow-up appointment should be roughly 2 weeks after surgery.

• Gradually resume daily activities, avoiding high-impact or strenuous exercises.

• Avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Otherwise, you will experience significant swelling.

• If you experience unusual pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 423 – 353 – 1070

Fractures

• After surgery for a broken bone:

• adhere to the prescribed pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed.

• Use assistive devices, such as crutches or a walker, as needed to ensure stability and prevent falls. Use your sling for your arm.

• Keep the surgical incision clean and dry, following any specific wound care instructions provided by your surgeon. Do not remove the splint.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly. Your follow-up appointment should be roughly 2 weeks after surgery. 

• If you had surgery on your leg, Avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Otherwise, you will experience significant swelling.

• If you had surgery on your upper extremity, avoid allowing your arm to hang down. Otherwise, you will experience significant swelling. 

• Do not remove the dressing. Keep the surgical incision clean and dry, following any specific wound care instructions provided by your surgeon.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly. Your follow-up appointment should be roughly 2 weeks after surgery.

• Elevate the involved extremity above your heart to reduce swelling.

• If you experience unusual pain, swelling, or signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 423 – 353 – 1070​