What to Expect After Your Elbow Arthroscopy
Loose Body Removal · Debridement · Capsular Release to Restore Range of Motion
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING
This Surgery Is About Motion — Early Motion Is Everything
During this procedure we removed loose cartilage and bone fragments, cleaned out (debrided) the joint, and released the tight capsule to restore your elbow’s range of motion.
The motion you have right after surgery can be lost if you do not move the elbow and commit to therapy. The elbow stiffens easily after surgery — nearly all of the long-term motion you keep depends on your physical therapy compliance and persistence.
Your job: work hard, early and consistently, to keep the motion that surgery gained back for you.
SLING & IMMEDIATE RANGE OF MOTION
USE THE SLING MINIMALLY — MOVE EARLY AND OFTEN
- You will be placed in a soft sling for comfort only.
- Use the sling minimally — only about 2–3 days, then discontinue it.
- Begin immediate active range of motion. There are no range-of-motion restrictions. Bend and straighten the elbow, and rotate the forearm (palm up / palm down) as much as you comfortably can.
- The goal is unrestricted early motion — move early and often throughout the day.
PHYSICAL THERAPY — YOUR TOP PRIORITY
- Start physical therapy within 2–3 days after surgery.
- We strongly recommend a physical therapist guide you through your program and encourage aggressive early motion.
- Compliance and persistence are essential. Motion achieved during surgery can be lost if you are not dedicated to therapy afterward — you must work hard not to lose the motion that was gained.
- Use the MyhealthTrack mobile app to begin home rehab the day after surgery, and combine it with in-person PT.
- Please confirm your PT appointment is scheduled — text 424.347.8564 or call (310) 746-5918 (M–F 8–5).
DAY OF SURGERY & ANESTHESIA
ABOUT YOUR ANESTHESIA & NERVE BLOCK
Your elbow arthroscopy is performed under general anesthesia. Unlike some shoulder procedures, a nerve block is not routinely placed before an elbow arthroscopy.
If needed for pain control, a nerve block may be performed by the anesthesia team after your surgery — and only after a nerve (neurologic) examination has been performed to confirm your nerves are working normally. Checking your nerve function first makes sure a block does not mask a nerve issue.
- If you receive a post-op block, your hand and forearm may feel numb, tingly, or weak for about 12–24 hours — this is expected. Protect the arm and do not be alarmed; sensation and strength return as it wears off.
- When the block begins to wear off (you feel tingling), start your oral pain medication to “stay ahead” of the pain. It is normal to have more pain in the middle of the night or the next day as the block resolves.
- Elbow arthroscopy is minimally invasive — most patients are discharged home the same day.
PAIN CONTROL, SWELLING & ICING
- Apply ice 20–30 minutes at a time, every hour or two, to help prevent swelling; place a thin towel against your skin if using ice in a bag. Icing is most important in the first 48–72 hours.
- Elevate the arm above heart level when resting, and move your fingers, hand and wrist frequently to reduce swelling.
- Most patients need narcotic pain medication for only a few days (about 2–5 days), then transition to Tylenol and an NSAID.
- Some swelling, bruising and discomfort early on is normal and expected.
POST-OPERATIVE MEDICATIONS
You will be given the following prescriptions at your pre-op visit. Please fill them before surgery. Take only as needed and as directed.
MEDICATION HOW TO TAKE IT
- Percocet 10/325 mg (Narcotic pain reliever): Take 1–2 pills as needed every 6 hours. Narcotics are usually needed only the first several days to ~2 weeks. After that, a non-narcotic option (Tramadol) plus Tylenol and an NSAID can be used for pain control.
- Mobic 15 mg (NSAID / anti-inflammatory): Take 1 pill every 12 hours (first 2 weeks).
- Colace 100 mg (Stool softener): Take 1 tablet 2–3 times a day while taking pain medication, as narcotics often cause constipation.
- Zofran 4 mg (Anti-nausea): Take 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for nausea (can be a side effect of anesthesia).
IF YOU HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS FROM MEDICATIONS OR QUESTIONS
Call our office Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM at (310) 746-5918. For an urgent problem after hours, go to the nearest emergency room.
MOST COMMON CONCERNS AFTER ELBOW ARTHROSCOPY
WHAT IS NORMAL — AND EXPECTED
- Drainage & soaked gauze: during surgery the joint is filled with sterile fluid. It is normal for blood-tinged fluid to leak from the small portal incisions for the first 24–72 hours. A dressing that becomes soaked through is expected and does not mean something is wrong.
- Swelling & bruising of the elbow, forearm, and even the hand — common. Ice and elevate.
- Numbness or tingling in the hand/forearm if a nerve block was placed — wears off in about 12–24 hours.
- Stiffness — expected, and exactly why early motion and therapy matter so much.
- Clicking or popping as motion returns — usually normal.
- A low-grade temperature (up to ~101°F) in the first day or two — common. See below for when to call.
DRESSING CHANGE & WOUND CARE
- You will have a soft, padded dressing (often with an elastic wrap) over the small arthroscopy portals.
- Expect the gauze to be soaked with blood-tinged fluid — this is normal arthroscopy fluid leaking from the portals, not a cause for concern.
- Starting Post-Op Day #1, you may reinforce or change the outer gauze and elastic wrap as needed to stay dry and comfortable. Leave the small Steri-Strips / portal dressings directly over the incisions in place.
- Keep the incisions themselves clean and dry.
- Once the drainage stops, a simple adhesive bandage (Band-Aid) over each portal is enough.
SHOWER & BATHING
- You may shower on Post-Op Day #3. Until then, keep the dressing dry.
- Cover the elbow with a waterproof dressing or plastic wrap to shower, then gently pat the area dry afterward.
- Do not soak or submerge the elbow — no baths, pools, hot tubs, or ocean — until the portals are healed and you are cleared (usually ~2 weeks).
DRIVING & RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- Driving: only once you are off narcotic pain medication and can comfortably and safely control the arm — typically several days to about a week, sooner for the non-dominant arm.
- Resume light daily activities as comfort allows; let pain and swelling be your guide.
- Keep moving the elbow throughout the day — do not let it rest in one position and stiffen.
- Avoid heavy lifting, pushing or pulling with the arm until you are cleared.
PRE- & POST-OPERATIVE NUTRITION
OPTIMIZE YOUR RECOVERY — PRE-OPERATIVE CARBOHYDRATE LOADING
We recommend XR (Xcelerated Recovery) carbohydrate-loading drink before surgery. Entering surgery in a “fed” state rather than fasting helps reduce insulin resistance and your body’s surgical stress response, helps preserve lean muscle, lessens pre-op thirst, hunger and anxiety, reduces post-op nausea, and supports a smoother recovery.
- Evening before surgery: complete your XR carbohydrate-loading drink as directed.
- 2–3 hours before arrival: finish your final XR drink, then nothing further by mouth except approved medications with a small sip of water.
If you are diabetic or have delayed stomach emptying, confirm carbohydrate-loading instructions with our team first.
EATING & DRINKING BEFORE SURGERY
Do not eat solid food after midnight the night before surgery. Clear fluids are OK up to 2 hours before surgery: XR (recommended), Gatorade, apple juice, black coffee (no creamer or milk), or tea.
POST-OPERATIVE PROTEIN & AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTATION
After surgery, begin amino acid / protein supplementation as directed. Adequate protein and essential amino acids support muscle protein synthesis, help counter the muscle loss that normally follows surgery, and support wound healing and immune function. Together with good hydration, this nutritional support helps minimize muscle loss, support healing, and expedite your recovery timeline.
BRING TO SURGERY — START IN THE RECOVERY ROOM
Pack one packet of your XR amino acid and a shaker bottle on the day of your procedure. In the recovery room, our nursing staff will help mix a packet of XR for you — delivering the key building blocks needed to support an expedited recovery and promote wound healing right from the start.
FOLLOW-UP
- Schedule a follow-up for an incision check, 10–14 days after surgery — text 424.347.8564 or call (310) 746-5918 (M–F 8–5).
- Confirm your physical therapy is scheduled and started within 2–3 days of surgery.
CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU DEVELOP Fever above 101.5°F; increasing redness, warmth, or spreading/pus-like drainage from an incision; worsening pain not relieved by medication; or new numbness or weakness that does not improve as the block wears off. Office (M–F 8–5): (310) 746-5918. For an urgent problem after hours, go to the nearest emergency room.
Medically reviewed by Reza Jazayeri, M.D. on
