28 | CMH-OHSU Health Orthopedic Clinic Recovering at home Caring for the area around your surgery (the “incision”) • Keep your incision clean and dry. If it gets wet, pat it dry; do not rub. • You may shower when there is no drainage from your incision. • Leave your bandage intact until your post-operative appointment. Call the clinic if you notice drainage. • If you have steri-strips (white strips across your incision), leave them in place. They will fall off on their own. ; Do not put any creams or ointments on your incision. ; Do not wear tight clothing that rubs on your incision. ; Do not take tub baths. Do not soak the incision in water — this includes swimming or using hot tubs. Prevent blood clots Blood clots are more likely after having surgery. Signs of a blood clot include: Pain in extremity (commonly in the calf), at rest, with exercise or when compressed. Weakness, numbness, burning, tingling sensation, swelling or loss of sensation. Noticeable cooling, increased warmth or changing color of extremity. Chest pain or shortness of breath. Swelling. After your surgery: • When sitting, prop up the arm or leg that was operated on. • Use a pillow between your legs when lying on your side. • Do ankle pumps. • Do not sit longer than 30 minutes without changing positions. ; Avoid long car rides. If necessary, get out and walk a few minutes for every 30-45 minutes in the car. ; Do not sit with your legs or ankles crossed. ; Do not wear constrictive stockings (e.g. knee-highs, ankle socks) or tight-fitting clothes. Wear surgical stockings when provided (TED hose).
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