James Cowan Md
Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

POSTOPERATIVE CONCERNS

It is common to have some pain, swelling, and bruising in the area where you had surgery. These will improve with time. It is also common to have an elevated temperature during the first 48 hours after surgery. You are always welcome to call your surgeon with any questions or concerns, but specific reasons to call may include:​

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• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Fever >101.5° F

• Chills or sweats

• Excessive or poorly-controlled pain despite taking pain medication as instructed

• Excessive nausea, vomiting, or inability to eat

• Excessive bleeding or drainage for your surgical incision(s)​​

• Excessive or spreading redness around your surgical incision(s)

• Color change or redness in your wrist or hand

• If you are still unable to move your extremity 24 hours after your nerve block or 24 hours after the medication in your pain catheter has run out

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