Guides

37 Do NOT let the shower water run too hot as this may make you feel a bit weak or dizzy. Please refrain from showering until you feel strong enough to stand for 10 minutes, unless using shower chair or shower bench. A sponge bath at the sink will suffice until you are ready for showering. Clean incision site per the instructions of your surgeon. When in the shower, do NOT scrub the incision site. Just use regular soap and let the water run down your body and rinse over the top of the incision. After the shower, gently pat the incision dry with a towel. DO NOT RUB or TOUCH your incision. If you have paper tape (Steri Strips) over your incision, they should start to fall off on their own in two weeks. Treat this tape like a scab and let it fall off on its own. If it starts to curl up at the ends, carefully snip the curled edges. If you have staples over your incision, the surgeon will remove them in 10- 14 days after surgery. Please call your surgeon if you have any questions regarding your staples. If there are any blisters from tape, small areas of the incision that are not well sealed over, or red pimply looking areas near the incision, do not get it wet. Call your surgeon and let him or her know. Never let pets smell or lick your wound. Contrary to old myths, animals do not have a natural antibiotic in their mouth. It is not advisable to sleep with your pets at night until your incision is healed. Do not apply lotions or creams on your incision. CALL Y OUR SURGEON IF YOU DEVEL OP ANY OF T HE F OLL OWIN G S IGNS O F P OSSIBLE INFECT ION: Warmth, redness, increased pain or increased swelling of the incision Redness around your incision that is getting larger An excessive amount of drainage from the incision Thick, green or foul-smelling discharge from the incision Separation of incision's edges Run a fever longer than a day YOU MAY NOTICE: The incision looks a little puffy and pink around the edges. This is normal inflammation and healing. Different types of dressing may be used to cover your incision. You will be instructed on how to care for your dressing. Bruising of your operative leg. This is normal and is a result of gravity and will resolve with time. Numbness along the outside of your operated knee is not uncommon. This is normal and may last up to 18 months. HOME DRES SING CHA NGE INSTRUCT IONS

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