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Care
of the Elbow after Surgery
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Post-Op
Care
The
protocols described here are general in nature. Every
human being and every surgery is different so the
information given here is for general guidance only.
If you have questions you should contact us.
For
detailed Post-Op information on each of the surgeries
we perform, click on the procedure listed below. To
return to the menu, click the 'Top' link immediately
following each Post-Op description.
Elbow
Arthroscopy
Ulnar Nerve Transposition
Elbow
Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is usually done for damage to cartilage
or because of loose bodies seen in the joint on x-ray.
Day
1
When you are discharged from the day surgery unit
you will be taken to the car in a wheel chair.
Your
arm will be in a sling. The sling is for comfort and
is not really protective. You can begin moving your
arm and get rid of the sling as soon as you are comfortable
without it.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
Day
2
Things are much the same on the second day after your
surgery. Usually you have less pain and feel like
doing more. You can remove the dressings at about
24 hours after your surgery. It is OK to shower and
wash the incisions with soap and water. There is no
need to cover the incisions. Do not soak the elbow
as in a bathtub. After you dry your elbow you can
cover the incisions with Band-Aids. You will need
regular sized Band-Aids for the small incisions. If
you feel that the pain medication you were given after
surgery is stronger than you really need you can reduce
the dose, take it less frequently or switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
You
can begin moving your arm by letting your arm hang
in front of you. Relax your muscles as much as you
can and swing your arm in circles by moving your trunk.
You can also stretch by placing your arm on a table
in front of you and gently straightening the arm.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your surgery
and remove your stitches. We will review with you
what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about five or
six weeks after your surgery.
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Ulnar
Nerve Transposition
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair.
Your
arm will be in a sling. The sling and you will have
a splint on your arm to prevent it from straightening.
Leave the splint and dressings undisturbed. If you
have increasing pain, numbness or swelling you should
call the office at any time of the day or night for
advice.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like doing more.
It is OK to shower but you must not get the dressing
wet. You may want to cover the arm with a plastic
bag secured with tape or rubber bands to shower. If
you find that the medication given to you after surgery
is stronger than you really need you can reduce the
dose, take it less frequently or switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
Approximately
Day 7
We
will see you back about one week after your surgery
and remove your stitches. We will review with you
what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about five or
six weeks after your surgery.
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to Main Post-Op Info Page
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