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Surgical and non-surgical treatment for dislocation of the elbow
Last updated Friday, July 29, 2005
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Recovering from surgeryPain and pain management
Typically, patients are admitted to the hospital for three days. They
usually experience considerable pain after surgery for the first 24 to
48 hours.
During this time, they will receive narcotic
analgesics. Narcotics (such as morphine or Demerol) are usually
necessary for three days following surgery and are given by injection.
Thereafter, pain is controlled with oral medications, such as
Hydrocodone or Tylenol with codeine.
Use of medications
Initially, following surgery, pain medication is usually administered
in the hospital intravenously or intramuscularly. Sometimes, patient
controlled analgesia (PCA) is used to allow the patient to administer
the medication as needed. Oral medications are started in the hospital
and continued once the patient goes home. They are usually only needed
for the first two weeks after the procedure.
Effectiveness of medications
Pain medications can be very powerful and effective. Their proper use
lies in the balancing of their pain relieving effect and other, less
desirable effects. Good pain control is an important part of
postoperative management.
Important side effects
Pain medications can cause drowsiness, slowness of breathing,
difficulties in emptying the bladder and bowel, nausea, vomiting, and
allergic reactions. Patients who have taken substantial narcotic
medications in the recent past may find that usual doses of pain
medication are less effective. For some patients, balancing the
benefits and the side effects of pain medication is challenging.
Patients should notify their surgeon if they have had previous
difficulties with pain medications or pain control.
Hospital stay
After elbow fracture-dislocation surgery, the patient spends an hour or
so in the recovery room. A drainage tube is usually used to remove
excess fluid from the surgical area. The drain is in place for several
days. Bandages cover the incision. They are changed on the second or
third day after surgery and the patient is started on range of motion
exercises with the physical therapist while in hospital. Patients are
discharged after they are comfortable and can demonstrate they can
perform the range of motion exercises properly.
While in the
hospital, the patient wears a removable splint. He or she takes off the
splint for exercise. When not exercising, the patient should wear the
splint for added comfort and protection.
Recovery and rehabilitation in the hospital
Typically, the patient cannot perform any heavy lifting activities for
at least six weeks following surgery. During the first six weeks to
three months, the primary focus is on regaining motion. Following
fracture healing and restoration of a functional range of motion,
strengthening and work-hardening, (or preparing the elbow for work
activities). exercises are begun. Patients may need to be off work for
four to six months or longer depending on the injury and their job
requirements.
Hospital discharge
The patients are instructed in proper follow-up care and physical therapy appointments are scheduled.
Convalescent assistance
The patient’s need for convalescent assistance after
fracture-dislocation surgery depends on the severity of the injury. If
the dominant arm is injured, there are other injuries present, and the
patient lives alone or is elderly, they may require convalescent care
during recovery.
Surgery for Simple and complex elbow dislocations. at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USA
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