Ruptured Tendon Repair

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Risks

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

Before You Go

• Prior to the operation, you will need to stop eating or drinking anything (even water). Your doctor will tell you exactly when this will become necessary.
• If you take pills, swallow them with only a sip of water on the day of surgery.
• A few days before the operation, your doctor will probably tell you to stop taking over-the-counter pain killers such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
• If you have a splint or cast, take care of it exactly as the doctor tells you to.
• If you are going to be put to sleep during surgery, an anesthesiologist (AN-is-THEE-se-OL-o-gist) may give you a call the night before surgery.
• If you are going home after the surgery, have someone come with you or pick you up afterwards. Do not plan on driving yourself home.

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Your Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• Oxygen: May be given to you during your surgery. You may need it as you wake up from your surgery, as well.
• Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-ih-ter). It is placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a machine to determine the amount of oxygen in your blood.
• Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow and sent to a laboratory for testing.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an electrocardiograph (e-LEK-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched to make sure your body is handling the surgery well. It will also be watched for signs of injury or damage during surgery.
• Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart is used to check their condition before surgery.
• ET Tube: During surgery, a tube may be inserted through your mouth or nose and into your windpipe. This tube will protect the windpipe during surgery and allow your doctor to give you the oxygen you need. The ET tube may leave you with a sore throat after the operation.
• Medicines:
  • Prior to surgery you may be given medicine to make you sleepy just before being taken to the operating room. Your splint or cast may be taken off and the area cleaned with special liquid.
  • Antibiotics may be given by IV, in a shot, or by mouth to prevent an infection from the surgery.
  • Pain medicine may be given in your IV, as a shot, or by mouth. If the pain does not go away or comes back, tell a doctor right away.
• Splint/Cast: After the operation, your doctor may put a cast or splint on the injury to protect it and keep it from moving while it heals.
• Crutches: If you have a leg injury, you may need to walk with the aid of crutches for a while. Make sure you learn how to use them the right way. If you lean on your armpits, you may damage some of the nerves in the area.
• Urinating: Before you leave, your doctor may want to make sure you can urinate on your own. This is especially important if you were put to sleep during surgery.

After You Leave

• Do not use the injured tendon until the doctor says it is all right to do so.
• The doctor will tell you how long to rest the tendon. Do not use it for lifting heavy things or walking. Do not drive until your doctor gives the go-ahead.
• To reduce swelling and pain, keep the injury lifted above the level of your heart as much as possible for the first 1 to 2 days.
• Leave the splint or bandage in place until you return to your doctor for a wound check.
• If you have a bandage, be sure to keep it clean and dry.
• If you have a cast:
  • Do not get it wet. If you need to take a bath, cover the cast with plastic. Do not put the cast into the water.
  • If you have a fiberglass cast and it gets wet, you may dry it with a hair dryer.
  • Do not push or lean on the cast; it may break.
• If you have a splint that is held in place with an ace bandage, make sure the bandage is not too tight. If you feel numb or tingly below the injury, loosen the bandage by gently unwrapping and rewrapping it. Be sure the splint stays in exactly the same place.
• Always take your medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor, but do not stop taking it on your own.
• If you are taking antibiotics, finish all your medication even if you feel well. If you stop the drug too soon, some germs may survive and cause additional problems.
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You notice yellow, smelly drainage coming from the injury.
• The pain and swelling get worse.
• You develop a high temperature.
• Your bandage gets wet or dirty and needs to be changed before your next visit.
• Your cast or splint breaks or gets very wet and soft.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• The area below the injury becomes numb or tingly.