Open Reduction With Internal Fixation of a Limb: What to Expect at Home

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.

Increase your activity as recommended by your doctor. Being active boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. It's usually okay to exercise other parts of your body as soon as you feel well enough.

Avoid putting weight on your repaired bone until your doctor says it is okay.

You will probably need to take 1 to 2 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.

Do not shower for 1 or 2 days after surgery. When you shower, keep your dressing and incisions dry. If you have a cast, tape a sheet of plastic to cover it so that it does not get wet. It may help to sit on a shower stool.

Do not take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your affected limb until your incision is healed. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

• If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

• If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:

• Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).

• Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.

If you do not have a cast, clean the incision 2 times a day after your doctor allows you to remove the bandage. Use only soap and water to clean the incision unless your doctor gives you different instructions. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.

Do exercises as instructed by your doctor or physical therapist. These exercises will help keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible while your bone is healing.

Wiggle your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg often. This helps reduce swelling and stiffness.

Prop up the injured arm or leg on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the first 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling and pain.

If you have a cast or splint:

• Keep it dry.

• If you have a removable splint, ask your doctor if it is okay to take it off to bathe. Your doctor may want you to keep it on as much as possible. Be careful not to put the splint on too tight.

• Do not stick objects such as pencils or coat hangers in your cast or splint to scratch your skin.

• Do not put powder into your cast or splint to relieve itchy skin.

• Never cut or alter your cast or splint.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have severe trouble breathing.

You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.

Your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg are cool, pale, or change color.

You have tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes.

You cannot move your fingers or toes.

Your cast or splint feels too tight.

The skin under your cast or splint is burning or stinging.

You have signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the incision.

• Pus draining from the incision.

• A fever.

You have drainage or a bad smell coming from the cast or splint.

You have signs of a blood clot, such as:

• Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.

• Swelling in the leg or groin.

• A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin color.

You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.

You are too sick to your stomach to drink any fluids.

You cannot keep down fluids.

You have any problems with your cast or splint.