Activity

• Do not bear weight (no pushing, pulling or lifting) with the operative arm.

• Avoid lifting anything heavier than 1-2 pounds with your operative hand, that is roughly equivalent to a coffee cup.

• Wear the sling to your operative arm at all times until you begin physical therapy.

• You may only remove the sling for the following activities: showering and performing range of motion exercises that were reviewed before and/or after surgery.

• You may apply ice to the outside of the dressing for 20 minutes at a time throughout the first 3-5 days following surgery. You may do this around the clock. This will help reduce pain and swelling. Until your nerve block wears off, keep a close eye on your skin to prevent ice burns while your limb is still numb. It may help to place a thin towel in between the ice and your skin.

• Driving: No driving allowed for 4-6 weeks following surgery. You may not drive while taking your prescription strength pain medication. You may not drive while wearing your sling.

​

​Dressings: Please refer to the instructions under your specific surgery. Here are some common instructions.

• After shoulder arthroscopy: Keep the bulky dressing placed in the operating room in place for 3 days. After 3 days, you may remove the bulky dressing (typically consisting of foam tape and gauze). The padded tegaderm (bandage with small gauze in the middle and clear adhesives on the sides) and white steri-strips should remain in place. We will remove them for you at your first post op appointment. If they fall off prior to your appointment (leaving your incisions exposed), please replace them with a clean band-aid.

​

• After shoulder replacement: The large bandage placed over your incision is typically a Mepilex dressing (gray/purple color). Please keep this Mepilex dressing on for 1 week. There are steri-strips placed underneath the Mepilex dressing. They may fall off on their own prior to your first post op appointment but do not remove them yourself.

​

• After elbow arthroscopy: Keep the ACE wrap that was placed in the operating room on for 3 days. You may remove it after 3 days to shower. If you see white steri-strips, please leave them on until your first post op appointment. You may see yellow gauze bandages at your incisions. These can be removed. After 3 days, you may leave the incisions exposed to air or you may place your ACE wrap back on. We commonly use black nylon stitches for elbow surgery. These stitches sometimes need to stay in approximately 2-3 weeks. Our office typically arranges your first post op appointment to fall within this timeframe.

​

• After elbow fractures/distal biceps repair/triceps repair/UCL repair: You may be placed in a splint after your surgery. We typically recommend following up within 7-10 days of your surgery in order to remove your splint and possibly transition to a brace. Please do not get your splint wet.

​

Bathing/Showering

​

• Keep your incisions clean and dry for 3 days following surgery. No showering or bathing for 3 days after surgery.

• After 3 days, you may let water and soap run over the incisions, but do not scrub. Gently pat dry after the shower.

• You may take your sling off to shower but may only let the arm dangle at your side while the sling is off.

• Do not submerge the incisions under water (i.e. No swimming, hot tubs or baths) for at least 3 weeks following surgery.

​

Anticoagulation

​

• You may have been prescribed Aspirin. Please start this the morning after your surgery. This medication is being used for its blood-thinning properties to help prevent blood clots while you are less mobile and active. Take this medication 325mg twice daily as prescribed for 3 weeks. Again, this medication has not been prescribed as a pain-reliever, so you should take it even when you are feeling comfortable.

• You may also be prescribed a medication called Omeprazole (otherwise known as Prilosec OTC). This medication is to help prevent stomach upset since we are prescribing a strong dose of Aspirin. After 3 weeks, you may discontinue the Aspirin and the Omeprazole. If you were taking Aspirin prior to surgery, then you may restart your original dose of Aspirin once completed with the 3 weeks of Aspirin 325mg twice a day.

​

Medications

• Oxycodone, a short-acting narcotic medication. Take 1-2 tabs every 4 hours as needed for pain. Try to taper your use over the next week or two as your post-operative pain improves.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Take this medication around the clock (but do not exceed 3 grams in a 24-hour period). This will help with your pain and decrease your need for the narcotic medications.

• For nausea: Zofran (Ondansetron) is an anti-nausea medication. The pain medication that was prescribed can cause nausea. You may take it every 8 hours as needed for nausea.

• For constipation: Drink plenty of fluids and ensure adequate fiber intake after surgery. The pain medication that was prescribed can cause constipation. We have prescribed Docusate (Colace) and Senna to facilitate a bowel movement. If you do not have a bowel movement by 3 days after surgery, please call the office so we can discuss other medications.

• If you need a renewal on your narcotic pain medication, you need to give the Orthopedic clinic enough time to process your request.  This can take up to three days, so plan accordingly.

• No driving is allowed if taking narcotic pain medications.

​

Call Dr. Blaine's Office (203-705-0766);  after-hours or on weekends call the on-call provider for our office at 203-705-0766 if you develop: fevers, chills, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, wound discharge, as well as numbness, tingling, increased pain, pain with active or passive extension of fingers/toes in the affected limb, or other questions or concerns.

Handouts

• Distal ROM exercises sheet

• Sling transitioning sheet