You have just undergone a procedure in the operating room. It is our wish that your postoperative recovery be as quick and comfortable as possible.  Please carefully review the following items that are important in your recovery.

• If not already scheduled, please call our office (205-838-3090) to make a follow-up appointment 10-14 days after surgery. It is best to call the day after surgery to make the appointment.

• Most procedures require a course of physical or occupational therapy. You will be contacted by our therapy department to schedule this.

• In general, the dressing that you have on your extremity should remain on until follow up. Please keep the dressing clean and dry to minimize the risk of surgical site complications. If you bleed through a dressing, please do not remove this. You may reinforce it with an ACE bandage, being sure not to wrap this too tight. (Note: If you had a carpal tunnel release or trigger finger release, you can remove the dressing at 5 days and place a bandaid over the incision. You can shower and allow water to run over the incision at that time.)

• After any operation, a certain degree of pain is to be expected.  You have been given a prescription for pain medicine which will relieve most of your pain but may not relieve all the pain.  Pain medicine may make you drowsy, so please curtail your activities appropriately.  Do not drive while taking pain medicine.  You may also take Advil to help with pain and inflammation.

• When you go home, please keep your operative arm elevated as much as possible (above the level of your heart.)  If you do this, your swelling and pain will be diminished.

• Please let us know if you experience any post-op fevers (temp >101 F), chills,

sweats, increased drainage from surgical site, or red streaks on extremity.

• If you feel that you have a surgical emergency postoperatively that requires immediate attention, please call the office. If this event occurs after regular office hours, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.