What is your experience with surgery aftercare?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 08:40:57 -0400

I just recently had compartment release surgery in my leg, and there only aftercare instructions I received was to leave the boot on until I shower on third day. Look for infection, and take these meds. Should I have received more instructions, was it my responsibility to ask? Should I say something to the doctor, my first appointment is on say 12 post op. I'm in the worst pain of my life

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 22 at 2018 9:31 AM

SPC David Willis — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:31:26 -0400

You can always call their office and ask for follow up instructions or ask if the pain should be this high. You may not hear back right away or you may hear back from the receptionist and not the doctor, but the advise will always be the doctors and should give you a good idea of what to do.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 22 at 2018 9:46 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:46:26 -0400

dang- a leader should lead- if the pain is greater than what they told you to expect, then get your 4th POC back to a Doctor.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Mar 22 at 2018 9:49 AM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:49:07 -0400

I am not even sure this would be an option where you are located, but to enhance healing, you may want to inquire about hyperbaric chamber treatments. They take you down to 1 or 2 atmos in 100% O2. I was involved in some testing in the late 80's and am now going through treatments for oral surgery.
Not sure on what pain meds they have prescribed, but please be careful with them and follow the Rx to the letter. Good luck and hope you recover quickly. I had something similar my first year as a CWO.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Mar 22 at 2018 10:00 AM

Maj Robert Thornton — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:00:47 -0400

In most of the Operating Rooms I worked in over my career, both civilian and military, it is normal to receive a call on day one or day two postop, if you went home the day of surgery. If you stayed in hospital, you would not expect that call. Regardless, if you feel something is not right, you have every right to either call the physicians office or show up there. If that is not an option for you, then you need either to head to urgent care or the Emergency Dept. Pain is a symptom, if it is more than what you feel it should be; you have said it is the worst you have ever had, then I would say you need to be proactive in your care.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 22 at 2018 10:02 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:02:38 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member - Some pain is expected, especially with this type of surgery. That being said, the pain management your MD prescribed should make it bearable. If it isn't, definitely contact him/her for other options. Be careful with opiate based medications as they have their own unique challenges. Be sure to contact your doc with any questions.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Mar 22 at 2018 10:23 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:23:43 -0400

Please contact your physician. Pain is a warning symptom and if it is truly horrible the likihood is something is wrong. Better to be overly cautious

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Mar 22 at 2018 11:10 AM

LTC Orlando Illi — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 11:10:15 -0400

Get thee to a Physician - ASAP

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 22 at 2018 1:06 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 13:06:08 -0400

If that's what they told you then that is probably all that you need to do. Now, the bonus part to this is, if you do everything that they told you and something does go wrong after the surgery, now they are open to a lawsuit... Unless you had the surgery at a military hospital while in the military... then you're screwed...