Care after surgery means following your surgeon's instructions to protect the treated area, watching for signs of complications, and starting rehabilitation when your surgeon advises. This page gives the general picture, and the details of your own case are set by your surgeon.
Note: This information is general. Your surgeon's instructions come first, and if warning signs appear, contact the medical team or seek emergency care.
The First Days After Surgery
The medical team explains what to expect afterwards: the level of pain, how to look after the wound, how to protect the treated limb, and what you can and should avoid doing. Follow these instructions, as they are the foundation of recovery.
Every patient is different, and recovery time varies from person to person and is set by the surgeon after assessment.
General Care
- Keep the wound clean and dry in the way your surgeon explains.
- Use the brace, splint or protection recommended, and do not stop using it on your own.
- Raise the treated limb when sitting or resting, as advised.
- Take any medicines your doctor prescribes exactly as directed, and discuss side effects with them.
- Move as much as your surgeon allows, because complete rest is not always right.
- Attend follow-up visits, which let the surgeon check your progress.
Signs That Should Prompt You to Contact the Medical Team
- Fever or chills.
- Redness, warmth or increasing swelling around the wound.
- Discharge from the wound or an unusual smell.
- Severe pain that keeps growing and does not respond to the guidance you were given.
- Numbness, coldness or a change in colour of the limb.
- Pain or swelling in the leg or calf.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain. This is an emergency and needs urgent care.
Next Step: Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation plays an important part in regaining movement and strength. Read Rehabilitation to see how its stages are usually organised. For preparation beforehand, see Before Surgery. To contact the clinic, use the Book an Appointment / Contact Us page.