Microsoft word - lateral epicondyle debridement, distal biceps repair, ulnar nerve transposition, ucl repair postop instructions.doc

4212 Southtowne Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone 715.832.1400 2501 County Highway I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Phone 715.723.8514 John Drawbert, M.D. Troy Berg, M.D. Nathan Stewart, M.D. Post-op Instructions for Lateral Epicondyle Debridement,
Distal Biceps Repair, Ulnar Nerve Transposition, and UCL Repair
These instructions are to compliment the information given by the nursing staff and physical therapists. They cover many of the common questions. Wound Care
· Dressings are to be kept clean and dry. A smal amount of clear drainage or bleeding is normal. If the ace wrap feels too tight, you may loosen it and re-wrap it. · The splint should remain on until you fol ow-up in the clinic with your surgeon. · You may shower 3 days after surgery. When showering, please place a plastic bag over the arm up to the shoulder and secure it with tape, or wrap your arm with Glad Press & Seal plastic wrap with a smal towel wrapped under the plastic bag or wrap above your splint. · If purulent drainage (thick white or greenish in color) is coming from the wound, or the wound has increasing redness, or if you are having a temperature of 101 or higher, please report these symptoms to your surgeon or the doctor on call.
Pain and Swelling
· To lessen pain and swelling, ice your elbow for the first 1-3 days after surgery. Put the ice in a zip lock bag or towel and place over the surgical site. We recommend 20 minutes, 4-5 times per day. · Narcotic pain medication wil be prescribed for use after you leave the hospital. Try to wean down as tolerated. These medications can cause constipation and you may want to use an over the counter stool softener. Tylenol products may be used instead of the prescribed pain medication. The prescribed narcotic medications should not be taken at the same time as plain Tylenol. You may supplement your pain medication by using ibuprofen or Aleve for any breakthrough pain. It can help to stagger your pain medication with ibuprofen or Aleve as needed. If a refil of medication is needed, please call the office during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In general, refil s wil not be made after hours or on weekends, so please plan ahead. · Swelling to some degree is common after surgery. To reduce swel ing, elevation is very helpful. Elevate the hand above the heart level for the first 2-5 days after surgery. Elevation for 30 minutes every 2 hours is a good initial recommendation. Excessive pain and swel ing should be reported to your surgeon.
Exercises
Gentle hand and finger range of motion exercises can begin the day of surgery. You should stay in your splint until your first fol ow-up appointment with your surgeon. To drive you must no longer be taking narcotic pain pil s (plain Tylenol is allowed). Also, you must feel strong and alert.
Follow-up
Make sure an appointment has been scheduled for you at Chippewa Val ey Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for approximately 1-2 weeks after surgery. John Drawbert, MD
Troy Berg, M.D. Nathan Stewart, M.D.
Chippewa Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
(715) 832-1400

Source: http://www.orthostewart.com/pdf/lateral-epicondyle-debridement-distal-biceps-nerve-ucl-postop.pdf