BC Foot and Ankle Template

PAIN MANAGEMENT

What kind of pain medication will I be prescribed?

The local anesthesia you were given at the time of your surgery will wear off after 12 hours. As the local anesthesia wears off you will become more aware of your pain. To manage the pain, your doctor may prescribe any of the following medications:

Motrin: Is an anti-inflammatory drug that will help control swelling and pain. Take 2 Motrin capsules a day (every 12 hours) for 2 weeks. Side effects include stomach pain. Do not take if you have a history of stomach bleeding.

Plain Tylenol OR Tylenol 3 as needed for pain.

Tylenol Plain: 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours while awake.

Tylenol 3 (with codeine): 1-2 tablets before bed. Side effects include nausea, dizziness and constipation (Colace will help prevent constipation).

Oxycodone: 1-2 tablets every 3 hours as needed for pain.

I have taken my pain medication, but I still feel a lot of pain. What should I do?

ELEVATE YOUR FOOT WELL ABOVE THE LEVEL OF YOUR HEART.

Swelling: During the first few days after you get home, your foot will swell more when you have it below heart level.

To prevent swelling:

Keep your foot up on the back seat in the car when going home.
Spend the first few days at home in bed or on the couch or chair with your foot up 6 inches above your heart. It is very difficult to get your foot above the level of your heart while you are sitting in a chair. Lie down and support your foot well above your heart.
If you live a distance away, consider spending a few days in town in a hotel or with friends or family before going back home.
Avoid catching the pins (if you have them) on clothing or bedding.

IF PAIN STILL PERSISTS, LOOSEN THE BOOT AND WOUND DRESSING.

IF THIS FAILS TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE PAIN, OR IF NUMBNESS WORSENS OR BLEEDING INCREASES, CALL YOUR SURGEON'S OFFICE. IF THE OFFICE IS CLOSED TELEPHONE THE ON-CALL ORTHOPAEDIST AT ST. PAUL'S HOSPITAL OR ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL. IF YOUR LEG IS IN A CAST, GO TO YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY WARD FOR ASSESSMENT.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF:

Swelling continues to increase, despite the foot being elevated.
Pain worsens in spite of taking pain medicine.
Your temperature goes up for more than 4 hours.
You develop chest pains.
You develop numbness in your surgical foot.
Occasionally too much swelling can occur and this will affect the nerves in your foot. If your foot remains very sore, or you develop numbness in your toes, even after keeping it up, contact your doctor or go to Emergency.

Continue on to other Postoperative pages: General Information, Scar Tissue and Physiotherapy.