MD Dekker Alter IPOS
MD Dekker Alter IPOS
Diet
• Begin with clear liquids and light foods (Jello, soup, etc).
• Progress to your normal diet if you are not nauseated.
Wound Care
Activity
• When sleeping or resting, we recommend an inclined positions (recliner chair) with pillows behind the shoulder
or under the forearm for added support. This will allow for elevation of the extremity and better comfort.
• Do not engage in activities that increase pain and swelling in the extremity for the first 7-10 days after your
surgery.
• Avoid long periods of sitting (without your arm supported) or long distance travelling for 2 weeks.
• No driving until instructed by Dr. Dekker.
• You may return to sedentary work or school 3-4 days after surgery, if pain is tolerable.
Ice therapy
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Medications
• The specific medications you are prescribed will depend upon the surgery you receive.
Pain
• Pain medications should be taken as directed on the bottle starting the day of your surgery.
• You will be given ONE of the following:
• Oxycodone 5 mg – Take 1-2 tablets every 4 hours for pain relief
• Norco (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen) 10/325 mg – Take 1-2 tablets every 6 hours for pain relief. *You
can only take 4g of Tylenol per day (a total of 8 pills) in a 24 hour period. Do NOT take additional Tylenol
when taking this medication.
• Common side effects of narcotic pain medication include nausea, drowsiness and constipation. To decrease
these side effects take with food. If constipation occurs we recommend taking an over-the-counter laxative.
• You may supplement the narcotic pain medication with ibuprofen. *If you are taking a blood thinner such as
Coumadin (Warfarin), Lovenox, Xarelto, or have a history or ulcers you should NOT take this medication.
• Ibuprofen 200 mg – Take 2 tablets every 6 hours for pain relief.
Anti-nausea
• This medication should be taken if you experience nausea or vomiting. If you know you are sensitive to narcotics
please take 30 minutes prior to pain medication.
• Hydroxyzine 25 mg – Take 1 tablet by mouth every 6 hours as needed for nausea.
Antibiotic
• In addition to the intravenous antibiotics given to you before your surgery you MAY be given an oral antibiotic to
take at home to reduce the chance of a post-operative infection.
• Keflex 500 mg – Take 1 tablet by mouth 4 times a day for the duration prescribed.
• If you are allergic to penicillin, you will be given Clindamycin instead. Clindamycin 300 mg – Take 1
tablet a day for the duration prescribed.
Stool softener
• If you are experiencing or have a history of constipation take a stool softener such as Peri-colace, Colace or
Senekot starting the day after your surgery. You may stop taking this once you have regular bowel movements.
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Emergencies
Follow-up Care
• If you do not already have a post-operative appointment, please call (248) 650-2400 and schedule by asking for
appointment scheduling.
Prescription Refill
• 24 hour notice is require for prescription refills. Most pain medication prescriptions will have to be picked up in
our office during normal business hours.
• Rochester office: (248) 650-2400
• Shelby Township office: (586) 254-2777
• River District office: (810) 329-1250
Questions / Concerns
• Monday through Friday between 8 am - 5 pm please contact our office or surgical coordinator.
• Rochester office: (248) 650-2400
§ Katharyn Chernicky, Rochester Surgical Coordinator: Direct line (248) 659-0190, Fax (248) 659-
0795
• Shelby Township office: (586) 254-2777
§ Dee Green, Shelby Surgical Coordinator
• River District office: (810) 329-1250
§ Cindy Stefanski, River District Surgical Coordinator
• There is a 24 hour orthopedic nurse available in the event that you have questions, concerns or issues and
cannot get a hold of our office, please call (248) 601-8844
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