Read the surgical consent carefully; review the website material; There is no guarantee with any surgery; patient compliance with the surgeons recommendations and understanding the risks, options and benefits is essential; 


​Post-Operative Instructions General information; each patient is unique and has individual instructions
  • These instructions are available on my website www.messieh.com and must be reviewed by each patient before your surgery. It is also included as part of your pre-operative education. Family members are encouraged to review this material and visit with the patient at the hospital and clinic visits. check my office for your specific information for each patient
 
  • You are encouraged to call my office at 352-243-6899 at any time if you have any questions. 
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MEDICATIONS: READ THE PACKAGE INSERT OF ALL MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING
  • The hospital doctor will review with you the medications to take prior to discharge home. The hospital doctor will also discuss any new medical problems that may develop after surgery and instruct you and communicate with your family physician follow up and a treatment plan.
  • Oxycodone:  Pain pill to be taken every 6 hours after surgery as needed; you will be weaned off of this medication in the first 14 days after surgery. If there is a true allergy to Codeine, a substitute will be made (Tramadol)

  • TUMS;. Take 1 tablet daily, in the morning, to protect your stomach. 
  • After discussion of the risks and benefits of blood clot prophylaxis,Lovenox may be used. If you have had a previous blood clot or their is a family history of blood clots, please remember to  inform our office.
  • Aspirin 325 mg is to be taken twice daily for 4 weeks after surgery to thin your blood a little bit to help against blood clots. Under some circumstances. you may be given Coumadin or Lovenox. Please confirm with the physician if a different blood thinner has been selected for you weighing the risks and options for your individual case.
  • If you are not taking a blood thinner after surgery, please contact the office immediately. 
  • Read the package insert of any blood thinners that you are taking. 
  • Please contact us, your family physician and your cardiologist if you are concerned about your blood thinner.
   In Home physical therapy: The hospital case manager, will contact you prior to discharge to set up therapy in your home. You will be given the name and contact information 

​Physical therapy is performed for knee patients; no physical therapists are sent to your home for shoulder or hip patients unless case by case basis. 
  • Therapy will start the day after you leave the hospital. If this does not happen, you need to contact my office at 352-243-6899
  • In home therapy will be set up for at least 3 times a week until you are ready to progress to outpatient therapy. This may last  to 3 weeks after surgery.
Outpatient physical therapy
  • You are responsible for setting up your outpatient physical therapy visits. This can be discussed on your post op visit
  • You should progress yourself into outpatient physical therapy as soon as you meet one of the following criteria:
    • You have met your goals at home and are discharged from home physical therapy by your therapist
    • You are no longer home bound
Ways to Decrease Bruising and Swelling; elevate your leg above the level of your heart often
    • WEEK 1: 
      We want you to be up and moving but do this in moderation. We recommend you rest the first 5-7 days after surgery. DO NOT OVERDO IT. Increased activity means increased swelling. By decreasing the swelling early you will recover quicker. We recommend small bouts of activity throughout the day. Get up and walk around the house a little bit every hour to hour and a half that you are awake.; elevate your ankle above the level of your heart often
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      Call the office at 352-243-6899 to make your first post op visit within 1 week after surgery. 

    • When can I shower or bathe? 
      Keep the dressing dry by covering it with Press N Seal. The dressing will be changed on the 1st post op visit. 

    • How long do I have to wear the stockings?
      You should wear them for two weeks. Wear them during the day and not at night. If the stockings are uncomfortable or difficult to apply, elevate the leg more often. 

When to call Dr. Messieh’s office:
  • Fever above 101.5 consistently
  • Increased drainage or swelling. You should contact the office if you have a large amount of drainage that has saturated through your clothing, if the drainage is yellowish/cloudy or if you are running a consistent temperature of 101.5, or if you have a new onset of pain that is not controlled by your pain medications. These symptoms do not mean that you are infected, but are symptoms we should be notified of.
  • Pain not controlled by pain medication
  • Inability to bear weight on your operative leg
  • Severe insomnia
  • Swelling in foot or calf that is accompanied by coolness or decreased sensation in foot
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • If there is any questions about your care or medications to be taken to prevent blood clots
  • The same Discharge Instruction sheet will be given to you preoperatively as well as postoperatively to review.
  • Be prepared that after hip or knee surgery, your leg may feel longer. This may require a shoe lift.
Your hip or shoulder bandage