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Pulverized Elbow, Swelling. Had Surgery, Debridement. What Can Be Done?
I had outpatient surgery yesterday on my (L) elbow. Approximately three years ago I pulverized my elbow and had surgery, where they inserted a clip into my ulnar bone. My surgery site never healed and the cllip began to immerge out of my elbow. Yesterdays surgery consisted of debridement of the site and cutting the wire/clip. My elbow was bandaged and I was sent home. Today upon waking, my arm fingertips to surgery site is swollen. What can or should I do?
Mon, 23 Sep 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Swelling in the operated limb and distal to the surgical site is a common post operative finding.
Just check the applied bandage around the surgical site, if it is too tight -loosen it a bit.
Keep your finger tips pointing the roof most of the times in a day so that the swelling will be reduced due to gravity.
Perform active finger movements to facilitate venous blood flow and to resolve the swelling.
If you have severe pain in the fingers or tingling sensations or if your fingers have turned blue, then you should rush to the emergency department.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Swelling in the operated limb and distal to the surgical site is a common post operative finding.
Just check the applied bandage around the surgical site, if it is too tight -loosen it a bit.
Keep your finger tips pointing the roof most of the times in a day so that the swelling will be reduced due to gravity.
Perform active finger movements to facilitate venous blood flow and to resolve the swelling.
If you have severe pain in the fingers or tingling sensations or if your fingers have turned blue, then you should rush to the emergency department.
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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