Discharge Instructions for Total Elbow Replacement

Activity

• Don’t use your affected arm to get out of bed or up from a chair. Use the other arm instead.

• Don't lift anything with your affected arm after surgery until your health care provider says it's OK. You won't be able to place any weight or resistance on your affected elbow for several weeks.

• Don't play contact sports, such as basketball or football.

• Don't do activities such as hammering, heavy or repetitive lifting, or activities that put too much strain on your elbow. Don't sweep, mop, or run the vacuum cleaner using your affected arm. Ask your provider when you may resume these activities.

• Do the exercises as directed by your provider.

Home care

• Take your pain medicine exactly as directed.

• Don’t be alarmed by some swelling around the incision (cut). This is normal. Wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent pressure on the incision.

• Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas—or something similar—wrapped in a thin towel to reduce the swelling. Apply the ice pack for  20 minutes; then remove it for  20 minutes. Repeat as needed.

• Follow your provider’s directions about wearing and caring for a splint, sling, or dressing.

• Ask your provider when you can shower and if you need to cover your elbow when you shower.

• Don’t sleep on the side of your operation.

• Prevent infection by washing your hands often. If an infection occurs, you will need immediate treatment. Call your provider right away if you think you have an infection. Symptoms of infection include a fever, chills, increase redness at the incision site, or a wound that leaks white, green, or yellow fluid. You may also have a bad smell from the wound.

• If you received an artificial joint, tell all your health care providers—including your dentist—about the joint. You may need to take antibiotics before certain procedures, including dental work, to reduce the risk of infection.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your provider as advised.

Call 911

Call 911 right away if:

• You are short of breath.

• You have chest pain.

• You feel increased pain with or without activity.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your provider right away if:

• You have a fever of  100.4°F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• You have shaking chills.

• You see increased redness, tenderness, or swelling of the wound.

• There's drainage from the incision or a bad smell.

• The incision opens.