Follow-up with Dr. Huff within 1 week of surgery
Medications:
- Ibuprofen – Take scheduled for pain and to minimize swelling
- Percocet – Take as needed breakthrough pain
- Hydroxyzine – Take as needed for pain particularly evening or night pain
- Colace – Take scheduled to avoid constipation
- Zofran – Take as needed for nausea
Dressings:
- IF you have a splint keep in place until time of follow-up. Do NOT allow splint to get wet. This will deform and ruin the splint.
- IF you have soft-dressings only you may remove these after 24 hours. Keep steri-strips in place over incisions.
Elevation and Icing:
Elevation is important to help decrease swelling. I recommend elevation with several pillows and the elbow at a gentle bend.
Apply ice over the elbow for 20 minutes every hour while awake for the first 3 days following surgery and then as needed for pain after
***Elevation and icing are two of the most important modalities to decrease pain and swelling***
Motion:
You may fully move any non-splinted joint. Gentle finger, wrist, elbow, and shoulder motion range of motion are all important to prevent stiffness. Any joint Dr. Huff does NOT want you too move will be immobilized in a splint.
Hygiene:
- It is OK to shower and let warm, soapy water run over incisions. Do NOT submerge incisions under water (eg bath, pool, hot tub) for at least 4 weeks after surgery.
- If you have a splint wrap the extremity with a towel and then cover this with a clean plastic bag before showering to keep the splint dry.
Diet:
Advance diet as tolerated. Nausea is very common after surgery. It is generally easier to start with clear liquids (eg apple juice) and advance to solid foods
Regional Block:
If you had a regional block the numbness can last 24-36 hours or more.
Driving:
You must also be off all narcotic pain medication in order to drive
If any questions or concerns, please call (614) 262-4263