FAQs for patients at OrthoONE Trauma at Swedish

At the time you are discharged from the hospital you will be given discharge paperwork with your surgeon’s name and time frame to schedule your follow up appointment (10-14 days unless otherwise specified). Please call our main office number during regular business hours at 303-209-2503 to schedule your post-op appointment with your surgeon, Dr. Steven Morgan or Dr. Wade Smith.

Upon discharge, you will be provided with written prescriptions to take to the pharmacy of your choice to have filled. Some narcotic medications include Tylenol (acetaminophen). Do not take additional Tylenol while taking prescribed pain medication.

Please note that the number of pills we prescribe is intended to last you until your first 2 week follow up visit. If you run out of pain medication, you may call our main office number during business hours to request a refill. It is our office policy that we do not refill prescriptions after normal office hours or on weekends. Please allow 2-3 business days for refill requests.

Original post op dressings should be kept in place as long as possible, preferably until your follow up office visit. If your dressing was changed in the hospital or falls off please cover wound with 4x4 gauze and secure with paper or adhesive tape. Cover dressings with Saran Wrap or a plastic bag before showering. Once discharged from the hospital, if at any time your dressing becomes wet or saturated with drainage from the wound, you may re-dress it with 4x4 gauze and paper or adhesive tape. These can be purchased at Rite Aid or Walgreens.

Your sutures or staples will be taken out at your follow up visit 2 weeks after surgery. If you are in the rehab unit at Swedish Medical Center during this time, one of our office Physician Assistants will see you in the unit and arrange to have your sutures removed.

Unless otherwise advised by your Physician or Physician’s Assistant, you can shower on the 3rd day following your surgery. Cover splints and casts with a watertight bag. Dressings still in place should be covered with waterproof material. Do not submerge wounds (no bathtubs or hot tubs) and do not apply ointments, salves or lotions to your incision.

Some bleeding on your dressing or splint can be normal. Reinforce dressings with gauze and ace bandages as needed. If bleeding persists or if your incision opens up, becomes red, or develops new drainage – please go to the Emergency Room at Swedish and call our office during regular business hours to schedule an appointment.

Please understand that we are unable to diagnose and treat over the phone. If you develop fever (>101), chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, calf pain or have any other concerns – please call our office during regular business hours or go to the nearest emergency department, preferably the Emergency Department at Swedish Medical Center.

If indicated by your injury we will provide you with a physician signed 90-day temporary handicap parking authorization. Ask for a parking permit form from your nurse before being discharged from the hospital. After discharge, take this to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a temporary parking permit.

If indicated by your injury we will provide you with a physician signed 90-day temporary handicap parking authorization. Ask for a parking permit form from your nurse before being discharged from the hospital. After discharge, take this to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a temporary parking permit.