Post Surgery | The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic

How Long Is Recovery From Elbow Surgery?

You may have one of the common problems that cause pain, weakness, or stiffness of the elbow. These problems include tendinitis (tendon inflammation), tendon rupture or breakage of the triceps or biceps, arthritis, fractures (broken bones), or nerve problems, which may require elbow surgery.

After discussing these elbow problems with your orthopedic specialist at The Bone & Joint Surgery Clinic, you and your doctor may decide to move forward with surgery. The most common question when thinking about surgery is how long the recovery takes.

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How Long Does Swelling Last After Hand Surgery?

Swelling is normal after hand surgery, and it typically lasts for about one week.

Reducing swelling will not only help ease your pain, but it will also help you heal.

We’ll give you some tips on how to reduce swelling as well as explore some common hand surgeries and some things your hand surgeon at Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic wants you to know.

How to Reduce Swelling After Hand Surgery

As we mentioned earlier, it’s natural to have some swelling after the surgery, but this should not last for a prolonged period. You’ll find that as your swelling reduces, so does your pain. This is a sign that your hand is healing.

Following are some ways to help reduce hand swelling after surgery:

Elevation

It’s important to elevate your arm above your heart. Often, you can do this comfortably by lying on your back and gently resting your hand on several pillows. You should keep your hand elevated for several days after surgery.

You may find it challenging to find a good sleeping position after hand surgery. That’s why we’ve provided several useful tips in an earlier blog.

Ice

Applying an ice pack can also bring down swelling and inflammation. This also relieves pain by dulling the nerve signals sent to your brain.

Remember: Do NOT place ice directly on your skin. Instead, wrap it in a towel. You can use ice even if you have a splint or bulky dressing if you’re able to keep these completely dry.

Finger Movement

We need to place an important caveat here: This depends upon the type of hand surgery you have had and what parts of your hand have been affected. In general, if it’s okay to move the fingers, they will be outside the surgical dressing.

Gently bending your fingers toward your palm and extending them will help minimize swelling.

However, you should first speak with your hand surgeon to see if finger movement is permitted.

Common Hand Surgeries

Our hand and wrist specialists treat a variety of conditions. Some of the most common surgeries we perform include:

- - Carpal tunnel surgery
  - Treatments for fractures/ dislocations (if surgery is required)
  - Ganglion cyst removal
  - Trigger finger surgery. Trigger finger causes pain, stiffness and a “locking” sensation when you bend and straighten your finger.
  - Dupuytren’s contracture surgery
  - Joint replacements
  - Tendon and nerve repairs

However, we want to be clear that just because you’re having issues with your hand doesn’t always mean you’ll need a hand surgeon. We only operate when nonsurgical treatment options haven’t been successful.

3 Things Your Hand Surgeon Wants You to Know

1. Not every visit to the hand doctor results in surgery.

At the Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we take a conservative approach to medicine. This means that we will try nonsurgical methods to treat you first. It is only when those methods fail to provide relief that we will consider surgical options.

2. Don’t delay in getting treatment.

Sure, some minor aches and pains can resolve themselves with home treatment and support. But they shouldn’t last for three or four weeks. Delaying treatment can result in more extensive damage. If you have weakness or numbness, you should also give us a call.

In addition, you should always schedule an appointment if you can’t put weight on your leg or if you’ve heard a pop after a fall or injury.

3. It’s vital to follow through with physical therapy.

Physical therapy is an important part of your recovery. Following our treatment plan will ensure the best results and a smooth transition into regular activity.

Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic: Treating Hand Conditions to Get You Back in the Game

The hand is an intricate connection of bones, tendons and ligaments. When one of those is injured, it can not only affect your entire hand, but it can make your everyday tasks difficult or even impossible.

This is why it’s important to select a hand and wrist specialist in Raleigh with the extensive scope of experience, like our physicians at Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic. All our orthopedic surgeons are board-certified and maintain advanced training in their sub-specialties. Plus, we always have a physician on call 24/7 to help our patients.

But we also realize that medical excellence is only part of the equation: We are dedicated to providing the highest level of compassionate care that focuses on treating the whole patient. We want to get to the heart of your problem so you can begin your journey of healing.

For decades, we’ve been the leading orthopedic practice in the Triangle area—and one of the few that are independent and community-based.

We would welcome the opportunity to serve you. Please contact us for an appointment.

5 Important Things to Expect When Having Knee Replacement Surgery

At first, the cortisone shots helped with your knee pain and discomfort. However, recently, they’ve become less effective.

You’ve realized this is not a long-term solution.

It’s time.

After months – or maybe even years—of coping with joint pain, you and your physician have decided that knee replacement surgery will give you the new lease on life that you want and deserve.

We’ve performed thousands of knee replacements for Triangle residents, and we’re often asked what to expect after surgery. We believe these five important elements will provide the information you need.

5 Things to Expect When Having a Complete Knee Replacement

1. You’ll be on your feet the day of your knee surgery

You may be surprised to learn that most patients will go home the same day of surgery.

We’re often asked, how long does knee replacement surgery take? While there may be some variation based upon each individual case, in general, it takes around two to three hours. After the surgery, we’ll help ensure that any pain is well-controlled so you can start rehabilitation that same day.

After the procedure, you’ll wear compression stockings in order to prevent blood clots. You may also have breathing exercises to ensure your lungs are clear.

Your physical therapist will come to your hospital room and will help you stand. They will work with you to assist you as you take those first steps with your new knee. They’ll also show you how to get in and out of bed and how to use assistive devices.

You’ll also have a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. This device will gently move your joint in order to prevent stiffness and scar tissue.

2. You’ll have physical therapy “homework” to help rehabilitate the knee that was replaced.

Your physical therapists will work closely with you to get you back to your normal routine as soon as possible. Often, this means doing a lot of exercises both with the therapist and while you’re at home.

These exercises are designed to help you regain your normal range of motion. Following these instructions diligently and to the letter will help you get back to your regular level of functioning faster.

Your pain should be well-controlled, but if any of the exercises cause pain or discomfort, you should let your doctor and your physical therapist know.

3. Tools and things you need at home after a knee replacement

It will take time for your knee to heal, and in the interim, you need to be sure that your home is safe for you to easily navigate. This could mean as part of your knee replacement recovery you may need:

- - To use handrails
  - Purchase a shower bench
  - Remove any loose cords in the house
  - Secure any rugs or items that could be a tripping hazards

4. Your new knee should last 20 to 30 years (or more!)

How long does a knee replacement last? While there’s no one answer for every case, studies indicate that for 90 percent of knee replacements, the joint is still functioning well for 10 to 15 years after they’re implanted.

New knees don’t really have a “lifespan;” with proper care, many may last up to 40 years.

At the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we are consistently on top of the latest medical developments and implement the most recent innovations into our practice. You can be assured that you’re receiving the latest state-of-the-art care.

5. Knee Replacement Recovery Time Varies from 3 to 6 months

We understand that while the surgery may be over, your journey is still unfolding. It can take up to three months before you’ll be able to return to your activities. In certain cases, it may be six months before your knee is strong and resilient enough to take on demanding sports. Strength improves for a year.

We’ll work with you throughout your knee replacement recovery to ensure you are progressing well.

What Not To Do After Knee Replacement

It’s also important to know what not to do after you’ve had knee replacement surgery. We’ll work with you to ensure you have all the details you need to aid you in your recovery. But for your recovery to successful, you should avoid the following things after a knee replacement:

Don’t do heavy weight training after knee replacement surgery

Any type of heavy lifting is going to place pressure on your knees, particularly if you’re doing squats. Your physical therapist will have some suggestions for some safer exercises you can do if you’re concerned about staying in shape.

Avoid high-impact sports when you’ve just had your knee replaced

Anything that puts additional pressure on your knee or joints can cause damage. Even worse, in sports such as basketball, football and soccer, there’s always a chance that you can fall or hit other players and cause damage to your new knee. Skateboarding and rollerblading are also not allowed after you’ve had knee replacement surgery.

Is a Knee Replacement the Right Choice for You? Contact Us to Find Out

Knee replacements are one of the most successful procedures in the history of medicine. Each year, there are more than 700,000 Americans get a new lease on life through a knee replacement.

For nearly 50 years, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh have helped residents throughout the Triangle. We are one of the few independent, community-based orthopaedic practices in the area.

We consider it a privilege to be able to help our patients return to the activities they once enjoyed without pain.

Don’t let knee pain hold you back, contact us today.

Orthopaedic Problems During COVID-19: When to Get Immediate Care?

Unfortunately, during this time of social distancing, isolation, and watchful waiting, our orthopaedic problems will continue to bother us and new problems may arise.

Our local and national leaders have recommended that we avoid unnecessary social interactions, and this may make timely evaluation, management, and resolution of our aches and pains more difficult.

One question we are getting quite often is what conditions must be evaluated immediately by a surgeon right away, and what conditions can wait?

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How Should I Sleep After Hand Surgery?

The first and best way to stay comfortable after hand and wrist surgery is to fully understand the human body’s response to the surgery itself. Our cells, nerves, tendons, and muscles see and respond to surgical procedures in the same way they respond to an accident or injury.

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Category: Post Surgery