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ANKLE FRACTURES

 

As with any surgery there are risks, these include infection, bleeding, numbness, and non-union (the bone does not heal).  You will have some swelling for six to nine months following surgery; this is normal.   We try hard to make your surgical experience as pleasant as possible and have found the following points helpful.

1. We use a re-circulating cold water unit called a “polar pack.”  Mark with Pacific Medical with contact you before the surgery and have you pick this us.  Please bring this with you to surgery as it will be applied during surgery. The polar pack helps greatly with decreasing swelling and decreasing pain.  Turn the polar pack off every two hours for 15 minutes to prevent your foot from becoming too cold. 
2. Elevation will help with pain and swelling.  You need to elevate your foot above your left shoulder constantly for the first 72 hours and then frequently the first 10-14 days. 
3. Please obtain crutches or a rollabout prior to your surgery as you will need these following surgery.  You will be non-weight bearing for the first 2-6 weeks following surgery, depending on the type of fracture and the surgery performed.  A list of suppliers is attached.
4. You will be in a post-op splint for 10-14 days following surgery and you need to be non-weight bearing during this time.  You will then be seen in the clinic for a follow-up appointment, x-rays will be obtained and sutures removed.  You will then be  placed in a CAM boot versus a short leg cast for another four weeks, depending on the surgery performed.  You will then have another appointment six weeks from surgery and x-rays will be obtained again.
5. In order to minimize pain after surgery, we generally use regional anesthesia, called a popliteal block, so that you have no pain for six to eighteen hours after surgery.  During this time your foot and ankle will be numb and will not support you.  In addition, it is important that you begin your pain pills before this block wears off as to get the pain medication in your system.  Generally we recommend you begin taking the pills the evening of surgery and then set your alarm clock the first night to wake up and take the pills, so that you stay on top of the pain.  Below is a list of commonly used medications and their dosages:

• Norco (hydrocodone/APAP) take 1 pill every 2 hours as  needed for pain
• Oxycodone take 1-3 pills every 2-3 hours as needed for pain
• Darvocet (propoxephene) take 1-2 every 4 hours as needed for pain
• Vistaril (hydroxyzine) take 1 pill every 4 hours as needed to minimize nausea
  and it also helps potentiate the pain medication
• Phenergan (promethazine) take 1  pill every 4 hours as needed if you
  develop nausea

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

If you have any questions or concerns, contact your physician's nurse at 323-2600.