Dr. Jeffrey Wilde, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Division Head, Section of Lower Extremity Reconstruction
Scripps Clinic/Scripps Clinic Medical Group
Post-Operative Care Instructions
🩹 Incision Care
- Remove hospital bandage 24 hours after you get home if not already done
- Leave the incision open to air unless instructed otherwise
- The incision will be closed with dissolvable sutures and covered with a Mepilex dressing
- It's OK to remove the Mepilex dressing once you are home from the hospital
- Remove steri-strips after 2 weeks
⚠️ If Incision Has Drainage or Openings
- Use clean, dry, sterile gauze to cover your incision
- Cover with a clean ace wrap bandage
- Contact our office via phone call or MyScripps Portal Message for further assessment
On occasion staples will be used on patients with fragile skin or severe adhesive allergies.
🚿 Bathing Instructions
We recommend using a shower for bathing. A shower stall with a low entry step is recommended but not required. You may use a high stool in the shower if there is space to sit on.
First 7 Days After Surgery:
- Keep incision covered in the shower
- Use a water-proof bandage, Saran wrap or Glad press-n-seal
After 7 Days:
- You may shower like normal and get the incision wet
- Do not soak or submerge your incision under water (bathtub, jacuzzi, swimming) until you have seen Dr. Wilde for follow up
🧊 Icing Protocol
- Ice your hip at least 5-10 times/day for 20 minutes at a time
- Especially following activity such as physical therapy
- Wrap ice pack in a thin towel or pillowcase so ice pack is not directly on your skin
- You may use anything cold: ice, frozen veggie bags, gel packs etc.
Activity Guidelines
😴 Rest Periods
- Gradually increase your activity weekly
- Short, frequent walks are recommended
- Focus on range of motion
- Limit sitting to 30-60 minute intervals over the next 4-6 weeks
- Sit with your legs elevated in a well-supported chair
🚶♂️ Weight-bearing
- You may put as much weight as is comfortable on your operative leg with activity
- Use your front-wheeled walker until you feel safe and steady on your feet
- You may transition to a cane after discontinuing the walker if you find it helpful
🏃♂️ Physical Therapy
You will receive physical therapy following surgery: Home health PT, Luna PT or outpatient PT based on what your insurance covers.
- Luna PT: They will call you prior to surgery to set up sessions. If you haven't heard from Luna, call (619) 966-3822
- Home health PT: Arranged by hospital case managers prior to discharge
- Home health schedule: About 2-3 days per week for about 2-4 weeks
- Outpatient PT: Continue for another 3-4 weeks after graduating from home health
🏃♀️ Impact Loading & Activities
- Low-impact activities such as walking can begin once you're home
- Stationary bike at low resistance usually OK at 3-4 weeks if you can safely get on/off
- Swimming usually OK around 4-5 weeks once the incision is completely healed
- Golfing, hiking, and dancing can usually resume around 8-12 weeks post-op
- Avoid high-impact activities (tennis, running) to lower risk of early implant loosening
🚗 Driving
The timeframe to return to driving is different for everyone.
- You may drive when you are no longer taking narcotics and no longer using the walker
- While traveling as a passenger for the first 4-5 weeks, get out of the car at least hourly and take a short walk
📞 Contact Information
Dr. Jeffrey Wilde, MD
10666 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 554-7993
Fax: (858) 554-6321