Elbow Surgery: Post-Operative Instructions

Medications

Take all medications exactly as prescribed and follow the instructions on your pharmacy labels.

• Narcotic pain medication (such as oxycodone): take as prescribed, as needed for pain. Try to taper your use as soon as you feel comfortable. You may take Extra Strength Tylenol in place of the narcotic. Do not take additional Tylenol if you are taking Percocet, Norco, or Vicodin, which already contain it.
• Stool softener (such as Colace): pain medicines can be very constipating, so a stool softener is routinely prescribed. Take as directed unless you develop loose stools or diarrhea.
• Anti-inflammatory (such as naproxen): take as prescribed.
• Pregabalin (Lyrica): take as prescribed.

Diet

Resume a regular diet as soon as possible. It is advisable to start with clear liquids until any nausea is gone.

Splint or Brace

Keep the splint or hinged elbow brace in place until your follow-up visit. It is very important to keep the splint clean and dry. You may shower with a splint, but cover it in plastic and keep it out of the stream of water so it does not get wet.

Activity

• Increase your general activity level as the effects of anesthesia wear off and your strength improves.
• Remain in your splint or hinged elbow brace as instructed. Immobilization will be for 6 weeks total.
• Depending on your surgery and the severity of your injury, range-of-motion exercises may begin anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when to start.
• Elevate your arm above the level of your heart to reduce swelling, which typically also helps with pain. Some swelling after surgery is normal.

Dressing Care

• Do not remove your dressings until you are seen at your first post-op appointment.
• Keep dressings covered and dry when showering. Do not scrub over the area.
• After showering, keep the incision covered with a clean, dry bandage.
• Bruising and swelling are common after surgery and are best treated with ice and elevation.
• Ice is very important after surgery. Use it continuously over the dressing for the first 5 days. After the dressing is removed, ice 3 times a day for 45 minutes, especially before bedtime. You may use ice packs, a cold therapy unit, or a large bag of frozen vegetables molded around the elbow.

Follow-Up

A follow-up appointment is generally made for you at the time of surgery. Contact our office if you have any of the following:

• Fever over 101.5°F
• Excessive blood on your dressing
• Numbness or tingling in your arm or hand that was not present before surgery
• Drainage from any incision lasting longer than 5 days after surgery