Surgery Instructions

• Plan to rest for the first 24 hours after surgery. 
• Wiggle toes up and down to help prevent blood clots.

• Weightbearing as instructed per Dr. Roland.  
• If you have a soft dressing on your foot, it is recommended to partial weight-bear on the heel only.  
• If you have a hard splint on your foot and leg, you must remain non-weightbearing.
• No barefoot walking after surgery.
• Recommend no more than 5 to 10 minutes per hour of activity within the first 2 weeks of surgery.

• Do not remove your operative dressings until your follow-up appointment with Dr. Roland.  
• Do not shower or bathe your operative limb until directed to do so by the surgeon.  
• Do not soak, shower, submerge, or allow the operative dressings to get wet. 
• A cast cover/shower bag can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy to help keep your extremity dry after surgery.

• Gradually resume your regular diet as tolerated.
• A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates is recommended.

• No driving for 24 hours post-surgery due to the anesthetic or anytime you are on pain medication.  
• Never drive while wearing a boot, splint, or cast.
• If the operative limb is used for driving, discuss this at your follow-up appointment.  

• The medication which was used to put you to sleep will be acting in your body for the next 24 hours, so you might feel a little sleepy.  This feeling will slowly wear off.  For the first 24 hours, you should not: 
  • Drive a car, operate machinery, or power tools.  
  • Drink any alcoholic drinks (even beer).  
  • Make any important decisions, sign any important or legal papers.

• Take pain medication as directed.  
• Narcotic pain medications can cause constipation. You may take an over-the-counter stool softener or laxative if needed.  
• Take antibiotic (if ordered) as directed. May cause upset stomach.  You may take a probiotic or yogurt daily.  
• Postop nausea can be common.  Take anti-nausea medication as directed (if ordered).
• Take aspirin 81 mg once per day for 14 days to help prevent blood clots if history or increased risk for blood clots.
• It is very important to properly dispose of unused narcotic medications.  Please contact your local pharmacy or visit www.dea.gov/takebackday for further instructions.    

You may return to work/school at your physicians’ discretion.

• Ice therapy to be used to control swelling.  
• Place an ice pack behind the operative knee for 30 minutes per hour, repeat every 2-4 hours.  
• Do not place ice directly on the bandage or directly on skin.  
• Do not remove the dressing, do not get the dressing wet.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or injuring yourself, get help right away.  

• Call 911
• Call a suicide hotline to speak to a counselor 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE.

Please call the office for any of the following: 

• Fever greater than 101 °F 
• Chills 
• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Increased redness or swelling on operative leg
• Questions or any other problems please call the office at 865-686-8486. 

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