TOTAL JOINT SURGERY PRE-OP SHOPPING LIST

RE-HYDRATION ELECTROLYTE DRINKS:

PEDIOLYTE VS HEB ELECTROLYTE VS GATORADE ETC.  Helpful for dehydration that occurs with surgery and with fasting prior to surgery.

 

 

 

A “FANCY BANDAID” (4″x10″ Island Border Dressing) covers the incision for 7 days.  Patients should purchase 1 or 2 of these dressings to use at home if the first one becomes 50% saturated, or use gauze and medical paper tape.

 

 

Press ‘n’ Seal Seran Wrap is used to cover this “waterproof” bandage during showers to prevent any moisture from getting on the incision.

 

 

 

Hibiclens soap (chlorhexidine gluconate) is used in your shower on the incision (NOT WHOLE BODY) when the dressing comes off on Day 7.  Stop using when scab gone.

 

 

 

Flexible ice packs or Ice machines with a bladder are commonly used by patients.  They are not covered by insurance and need to be purchased online.  Use for the first 2 weeks as much as possible, and at least daily after 2 weeks.  There are many icing “protocols” ie 20 minutes on 20 minutes off, etc.  These protocols exist to avoid freezer burn to the skin.  As long as there is a wash cloth/dressing barrier, freezer burn should not be a concern.

 

 

 

 

SCAR MANAGEMENT: (after scab gone)

 

 

KNEES ONLY:

FUZZY WALE COMPRESSION STOCKINGS are used for 14 days (OR LONGER IF SWELLING) to decrease

swelling of the foot and ankle when patients are awake – they can be removed at nighttime. They are not covered by insurance and need to be purchased online.  www.compressiondynamics.com

 

 

 

 

EDEMA/SWELLING MEDICATION/SUPPLEMENT:  DIOSMIN daily for 6-8 weeks postop. (RECOMMENDED IF YOU HAVE VARICOSE VEINS/SPYDER VEINS/ANKLE OR FOOT SWELLING/VASCULAR DISEASE) – BUY ONLINE HERE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

KNEE ADHESION/SCAR MEDICATION/SUPPLEMENT:  L-Alanyl L-Glutamine daily for 6-8 weeks postop. (RECOMMENDED IF YOU ARE A SCAR FORMER) – BUY ONLINE HERE)