NIRSCHL PROCEDURE

What you need to do:

ICE: The use of ice following surgery can decrease pain and swelling. Apply ice for two days following your surgery, and as needed for comfort thereafter. You may rest your elbow on the ice pack or wrap it around the elbow if this works better. Apply ice for 30 minutes, remove for 30 minutes.

ELEVATE: Elevate your elbow as much as possible during the first 48 hours. Your elbow should be above the level of your heart, with the fingers higher than the elbow. Do not allow your fingers to droop or hang down as this will allow swelling to take place. Wiggle your fingers frequently as this will decrease swelling as well.

PAIN CONTROL: You will receive 3 prescriptions to help control your pain. Follow the directions written on the prescription bottles. Have the prescriptions filled whether you think you need it or not. You may have received a nerve block with local anesthesia to numb the pain. This nerve block will last on average up to 8 hours, but could vary from patient to patient. You may experience pain relief longer than that or it may not last as long. The Motrin (ibuprofen) should be taken every 6 hours starting as soon as possible even if you do not have discomfort at first. The medication can be taken with either of the two narcotics to supplement pain relief. The other two medications are narcotics and should never be taken together. Please make sure you have food in your stomach to prevent stomach upset. When the prescription pain medication is no longer necessary, you make take Tylenol- 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed for pain.

DRESSINGS: A soft compressive dressing will be placed around your elbow and arm. It should be comfortable and absorb any blood or fluid which often leaks from the wound. You should leave the dressing in place until you are seen in the first post-operative visit.