Post-Op Care Instructions

Understand wound care, safe pain control, activity restrictions, follow-up, and symptoms that need urgent attention after orthopedic surgery.

Before You Go Home

Ask for written discharge instructions and a number to call after hours. Confirm follow-up appointments, medication instructions, and the help you will need at home.

Incision & Dressing Care

Wash your hands before touching a dressing. Follow your discharge plan for dressing changes and when to shower. Do not soak the incision in a bath, pool, or hot tub until cleared. Do not remove stitches, staples, glue, or closure strips yourself.

Pain Medicines

Use medicines only as prescribed or approved by your surgical team. Do not add over-the-counter pain relievers without checking for interactions or duplicate ingredients.

If prescribed an opioid, use the lowest prescribed dose needed for the shortest necessary time.
Do not combine opioids with alcohol or unapproved sedating medicines, and do not drive while impaired.
Contact the team if pain remains uncontrolled or side effects prevent eating, drinking, or following your recovery plan.

Movement & Blood-Clot Prevention

Follow your procedure-specific instructions for walking, weight bearing, slings, braces, and exercises. Take any prescribed clot-prevention medicine exactly as directed; do not start aspirin on your own.

When to Get Help

Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, collapse, or dangerously slow breathing. Do not wait for an office reply.

Seek prompt medical assessment for new calf pain or one-sided leg swelling.
Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, worsening redness, drainage, wound opening, or increasing pain.
Report new or worsening numbness, weakness, or a cold or discolored hand or foot urgently.

Follow-Up & Return to Activity

Keep the follow-up schedule provided at discharge. Ask your surgeon when driving, work, lifting, and exercise are safe for your specific operation.

Sources and further reading

General patient education. Your surgeon's and anesthesia team's personalized instructions take priority. Contact your care team if instructions are unclear or conflict.

Other Guides

What to Do After a Shoulder Dislocation Planning for Rotator Cuff Repair Recovery Preparing for Shoulder Surgery and Recovery Your First Orthopedic Visit