Proper care for your surgical incisions after joint replacement surgery is a critical part of your post-surgical care and will undoubtedly go a long way in ensuring a positive surgical outcome. Proper maintenance may limit scarring,help you avoid pain or discomfort, and lower the risk of infection problems.Here are some helpful tips for caring for your incision.
After a joint replacement surgery, you will have an incision that is 4-6 inches long where your joint has been replaced. Immediately following the surgery, your incision will be covered with a postoperative dressing. Rather than looking away, watching what the surgeon (or nurse) does is a great way to learn the correct bandage change procedure.The surgical team will remove the bandage and replace it as needed if there is any incision drainage. Your surgical incision will stay covered and clean for the duration of your hospital stay.
Upon your discharge from the hospital, your team will make sure you can walk independently with an assistive device, can step up and downstairs, exhibit control over your pain, vital signs and labs remain stable, and physical therapy services, if required,have been set up for you. You will be given prescriptions for all your new medications as well as detailed discharge instructions.
The surgical dressing needs to remain in place for one week.
During this time, you may:
- Shower with a watertight dressing in place, but no baths.
- When showering, let soap and water run over your incision,but do not apply any lotions, creams, or powders to the incision.
- When you get out of the shower, gently pat the incision with a clean towel. Do not leave the incision wet.
- Inspect the area every day and watch for signs of infection such as yellow or green discharge and redness, hardness, or increasing warmth of the surrounding skin.
Dr. DiPaolo will discuss wound instructions with you and your family before you are discharged and allow you time to ask any questions you may have. Please call Dr.DiPaolo if any of these signs occur or if the dressing comes off before seven days.
Dr. Daneca DiPaolo is a highly-skilled, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and hand specialist located in Grenada, Mississippi. She offers the newest orthopedic techniques, and she provides quality, compassionate, state-of-the-art orthopedic care. For all appointments and inquiries, please call (662) 227-7794 or visit our website @ www.drdipaolo.com.
