Recent research suggests that patient adherence to post-operative instructions from their doctor may be the best way to reduce complications after surgery.
The study was conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. They found that patients who did not follow their doctor’s post-op instructions were 3.66 times as likely to experience delayed wound healing as patients who adhered to their doctor’s instructions.
Results also showed that older patients, and patients with diabetes were significantly more likely to have wound complications.
Dr. Silverman Comments
Adhering to post operative regimens is essential to a successful recovery from surgery.
My patients tease me after they recover about how demanding I am that they follow my post operative protocols. They warn other patients, “you will have great results, just do what he tells you to do.”
There is a reason for everything I instruct my patients to do after surgery, from restricting weight bearing, to elevation, to nutritional recommendations.
I want my patients to heal quickly and effectively and I help them by giving them every possible advantage.
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