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Open Reduction With Internal Fixation of a Limb: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

Your broken bone (fracture) was put into position and stabilized. You can expect some pain and swelling around the cut (incision) the doctor made. This should get better within a few days after your surgery. But it is normal to have some pain for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and mild pain for up to 6 weeks after surgery.

How soon you can return to work and your normal routine depends on your job and how long it takes the bone to heal. For example, if you have a fractured leg and you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. But if your job requires you to walk or stand a lot, you will need to wait until your fracture has healed before you go back to work.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
Increase your activity as recommended by your doctor. Being active boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. It's usually okay to exercise other parts of your body as soon as you feel well enough.
Avoid putting weight on your repaired bone until your doctor says it is okay.
You will probably need to take 1 to 2 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
Do not shower for 1 or 2 days after surgery. When you shower, keep your dressing and incisions dry. If you have a cast, tape a sheet of plastic to cover it so that it does not get wet. It may help to sit on a shower stool.
Do not take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your affected limb until your incision is healed. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Diet

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
- Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
- Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.
If you do not have a cast, clean the incision two times a day after your doctor allows you to remove the bandage. Use only soap and water to clean the incision unless your doctor gives you different instructions. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.

Exercise

Do exercises as instructed by your doctor or physiotherapist. These exercises will help keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible while your bone is healing.
Wiggle your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg often. This helps reduce swelling and stiffness.

Ice and elevation

Prop up the injured arm or leg on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the first 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling and pain.

Other instructions

If you have a cast or splint:
- Keep it dry.
- If you have a removable splint, ask your doctor if it is okay to take it off to bathe. Your doctor may want you to keep it on as much as possible. Be careful not to put the splint back on too tight.
- Do not stick objects such as pencils or coat hangers in your cast or splint to scratch your skin.
- Do not put powder into your cast or splint to relieve itchy skin.
- Never cut or alter your cast or splint.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You have severe trouble breathing.
You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
Your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg are cool, pale, or change colour.
You have tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes.
You cannot move your fingers or toes.
Your cast or splint feels too tight.
The skin under your cast or splint is burning or stinging.
You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
You have drainage or a bad smell coming from the cast or splint.
You have signs of a blood clot, such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A colour change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin colour.
You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.
You are too sick to your stomach to drink any fluids.
You cannot keep down fluids.

Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You have any problems with your cast or splint.

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.