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Femur Orif

The patient had surgery to repair a broken femur bone. They were given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners to prevent constipation from the pain meds. Dressings will be changed in the hospital and then daily sterile dressings applied. The patient should not bear weight, keep the leg elevated, and use crutches until approved by the surgeon. Exercises and blood thinners are recommended to prevent blood clots. The patient should follow up with their surgeon in 10-14 days and call if they experience fever, increased pain or swelling, numbness, or other complications.

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19 views

Femur Orif

The patient had surgery to repair a broken femur bone. They were given prescriptions for pain medication and stool softeners to prevent constipation from the pain meds. Dressings will be changed in the hospital and then daily sterile dressings applied. The patient should not bear weight, keep the leg elevated, and use crutches until approved by the surgeon. Exercises and blood thinners are recommended to prevent blood clots. The patient should follow up with their surgeon in 10-14 days and call if they experience fever, increased pain or swelling, numbness, or other complications.

Uploaded by

94playerone
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Post-Operative Instructions

Procedure: Femur Open Reduction and Internal


Fixation

Ø Pain Medication: You will be given a prescription for pain medication to be taken after
surgery. This should be filled and ready for use when you return home from the surgery
center/hospital. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery or participate in activities that
require concentration while taking narcotic pain medications such as Percocet, Oxycodone,
Ultram, Norco, Vicodin or Tylenol with Codeine. You should take an over the counter stool
softener while taking narcotic pain medications to prevent constipation.  

Ø Dressings: Dressing generally changed in the hospital on post-operative day 2-3 then daily
sterile dry dressings are applied to the surgical areas. Sutures will be removed at your first
post-op visit. Do not get the incisions wet until you have bee seen by your surgeon and given
approval for showering. You will not be able to soak the incisions for 1 month.  
 
Ø ICE: Apply ice to surgical area in a waterproof bag for 30 minutes each hour you are awake.
Do not get the incision wet.  
 
Ø Activity & Crutches: Use crutches/walker at all times. You should not bear weight on the
operative leg at any time. Do not engage in prolonged periods of standing or walking over the
first 7-10 days following surgery. Elevate the operative leg to chest level whenever possible to
decrease swelling.  

Ø DVT (blood clot) prevention:

1. Perform range of motion exercises for right and left ankle to exercise calf muscles.
Do ten reps every hour minimum while awake. If placed in a splint, do not take splint
off and only perform exercises with uninjured leg.
2. You may be placed on an anti-coagulant (blood thinner) such as Lovenox or
Coumadin depending on your surgeon’s preference. If not, beginning the day of
surgery, take one regular (325mg) aspirin daily for 30 days unless not allowed for
other medical reasons. Clear this with your family doctor before starting the aspirin.
3. You should not do any flying for two weeks following surgery
 
Ø Post-Operative Appointment: Please make a post-operative appointment 10-14 days following
surgery.  
 
Ø Prescription Refill Protocol:  You MUST give your physician 48 hours notice for any
medication refill. Many medications require a written prescription and cannot be called into a
pharmacy. Prescriptions will not be filled over the weekend.
Ø When to call your surgeon:
o Complications after surgery are fortunately very rare. Call the office if you have any
of the following symptoms:
§ Persistent fever >101, chills
§ Increasing pain at the surgical site
§ Increased swelling/pain in the calf
§ New onset numbness or tingling
§ Hives or new rashes
§ Shortness of breath of chest pain
§ Persistent nausea/vomiting
§ Drainage from your incision lasting >5 days
 

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