Wound Management Instructions
Surgical wound care instructions for patients of Dr. Franky Davis after orthopedic treatment or surgery.
Surgical Wound Management
These instructions are provided to help patients care for surgical wounds, dressings, and bandages after orthopedic care. Please follow any specific instructions given by Dr. Davis or the clinical team.
Dressings/Bandages
If you have a dressing or bandage that has become saturated with blood, try placing additional gauze on it and wrapping it tighter. Also elevate the body part above the level of your heart, if you are able. If the bleeding continues, call the office.
Dressings and bandages should be changed daily. Unless otherwise advised, do not use any cleaning solution or place antibiotic cream on the wound. If you have staples, use a non-adherent dressing or bandage on top of them to avoid the fabric of the dressing getting caught in the staples.
Significant change in your pain, fever over 101.5°F, red streaks, increased temperature of the area, or drainage that has an odor and is not blood-colored may require immediate attention. Call the office for direction or seek medical treatment at an emergency room or urgent care facility.
Wound Care: Open Wounds
- We do not recommend repeated cleaning of the acute surgical incision with wound cleansers.
- We do not recommend application of antibiotic ointment to the acute surgical incision prior to three days after surgery.
- Surgical incisions that are dry and closed can be left uncovered.
- Surgical incisions that are draining, oozing, or not completely closed should remain covered by a sterile dressing.
- Open wounds should be kept covered with a sterile dressing.
- Dressing changes should be performed at least daily, or sooner if the bandage has become saturated.
- Significant change in your pain, fever over 101.5°F, red streaks, increased temperature of the area, or drainage that has an odor and is not blood-colored may require immediate attention. Call the office for direction or seek medical treatment at an emergency room or urgent care facility.
Wound Care: Knee and Shoulder Arthroscopy
- We do not recommend repeated cleaning of the acute surgical incision with wound cleansers.
- We do not recommend application of antibiotic ointment to the acute surgical incision prior to three days after surgery.
- Your incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures that are under the skin.
- There are also steri-strips placed over the incision to help keep the incision closed.
- You can remove the steri-strips after 5 days if they remain.
- If they fall off before 5 days, use a band-aid to cover the incision.
When to Call the Office
Call the office if you notice bleeding that does not improve with added gauze, tighter wrapping, and elevation, or if you develop a fever over 101.5°F, red streaks, increased warmth around the wound, unusual drainage, drainage with an odor, or a significant change in pain. If symptoms need immediate attention, seek care at an emergency room or urgent care facility.
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