At the end of a doctor visit or hospital stay, a list of Do’s and Don’ts is usually given to patients to provide them with the tools they need to have a successful outcome, be it from an injury or a surgical procedure. These Do’s and Don’ts are developed over years of experience from the providers and prior patients and the best outcomes. The lifting restrictions, medication restrictions, activity restrictions, exercise protocols, walking programs, and physical therapy visits are all part of the healing process. Additionally, they are meant to get you back to your normal level of activity as quickly as is appropriate for your circumstances. That being said, everyone is different, and everyone will heal and recover at their own pace according to their own body mechanics. The Do’s and Don’ts are guidelines to help you have the best possible outcome without complications, and each individual should follow these to the best of their ability.
Not following doctor’s orders at all or only partially following the restrictions or activity programs could result in delayed healing, lack of range of motion in a joint recovering from an injury or a surgical procedure, infection in incisions which could require additional surgery, longer recovery time, delayed progress with healing and mobility and the list goes on and on which can only lead to a not so successful outcome regarding your injury or surgery. If you have any questions regarding your treatment instructions or postoperative instructions, do not hesitate to contact our office for clarification of the instructions or to receive answers to any questions you may have. We will always do everything possible to help our patients have the best healing and recovery outcomes, and we know that is what every patient wants also.
