Discharge Instructions for Elbow Arthroscopy

You had elbow arthroscopy. This is a surgical procedure that uses small cuts (incisions). A tiny camera and thin tools are inserted into these cuts to find, identify, and treat problems inside the elbow joint. These problems include loose pieces of bone and cartilage, bone spurs, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and synovitis. Below are tips to help speed your recovery from surgery.

Activity

• Wear your dressing, splint, or sling as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Do all exercises learned in the hospital, as instructed by your healthcare provider.

• Don’t drive for  2 to 3 days after surgery. And never drive while you're taking opioid pain medicine.

• Ask your healthcare provider before going back to work. Most people can return to work after  7 days. But if your job requires heavy lifting, you may need to delay your return to work for several weeks. Remember that full recovery takes about  3 to 6 weeks.

• Don’t use the affected arm for activities that require pushing, pulling, lifting, or twisting until your healthcare provider says you can.

Other home care

• Take pain medicine as directed.

• Use an ice pack to reduce the swelling for the first 48 hours after surgery. Keep the arm raised (elevated) above the level of your heart and your hand positioned higher than your elbow. Apply the ice pack for  20 minutes, then remove it for  20 minutes. Repeat as needed several times a day. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.

• Shower as needed. Cover any dressing you have with plastic and tape to keep it dry.

• Move your fingers and wrist frequently to help stimulate circulation and minimize swelling. Your healthcare provider may recommend early range of motion exercises to prevent joint stiffness.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your healthcare provider.

Call 911

Call 911 right away if you have:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider or seek medical care right away if you have any of these:

• Fever of  100.4° F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Shaking chills

• Increased drainage, redness, soreness, or swelling of the incision

• The incision opens

• Increased pain with or without activity