© 1999 by Seth A. Rubenstein, D.P.M.

 

 

1. You have had enough excitement for one day. Please go home and stay off your foot. Keep the foot mildly elevated. Keep the dressing clean and dry. Do not remove the dressing until tomorrow morning.
   
   
2. Take two Advil or Tylenol before the anesthesia wears off.
   
   
3. If prescribed, take your antibiotics as directed for the full term of the prescription.
   
   
4. Tomorrow morning, begin dilute Betadine soaks, 10 minutes twice daily. The dressing may be removed before or during the first soak.
   
   
5. Mix 1 cap full of Betadine per quart of water to turn the water a light brown. Use room temperature water. If your skin dries out or begins to itch you are probably using too much Betadine. After 1 week you may decrease the soaks to once per day, preferably just after you bathe or shower. You should be able to stop soaking your foot 10 to 14 days after the surgery, and or when the nail border is dry.
   
   
6. After each soak: Apply a small amount of Neosporin Cream with a Band-aid and cover the nail with the Band-aid.
   
   
7. The Band-aid should be kept in place day and night for the first 10 days. After 10 days you may take the band-aid off at bedtime to allow the toe to air dry. Do not allow the site to air dry before 10 days as the wound is expected to drain. If the drainage forms a dry scab too soon, it may block additional drainage and lead to an infection. Note: do not apply the Band-aid to tight about the toe.
   
   
8. Shoe gear: We recommend use of socks and roomy shoes at all times to avoid irritation and contamination of the surgical site.

 

Please call the office if you notice excessive bleeding, develop a fever or have any questions.

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