Went back to my surgeon this week for a followup visit. I no longer need to wear the wrist brace. Was told to still refrain from all activity (he again used the phrase "don't lift anything heavier than a half a cup of coffee). This is much easier said than done.
The fact is the elbow feels great after six weeks. I keep catching myself using my arm more than I should. I worry that I am going to forget that I need to rest the arm and wind up using it for something that damages it. My surgeon suggested wearing the sling or brace as a reminder to take it easy...but I won't.
Elbow is tender to the touch. I also feel mild pain when I experience resistance (like when I push my hands together while washing them). But again, overall the elbow feels great. I just have to focus on taking it easy and letting it heal completely.
Summer has begun so I need to cover my scar while outside and probably put sunscreen on it if I plan to be in the sun for an extended period of time.
My next appointment is in another six weeks. I may not post again until then since there isn't a whole lot to report.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Saturday, May 23, 2015
5 Weeks Post-Op
Nothing really new to report. Just about 100% mobility. Increased tenderness in elbow area now that I'm moving my arm a lot more. Still wearing a wrist brace which has become quite annoying. My next follow-up is in about a week. Hoping I will be brace-free at that time.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
One Month Post-Op
It has already been a month since surgery. Amazing how time flies.
I believe my arm is at about 90% mobility. Making very good progress. The most difficult movement is straightening my arm and raising it straight up into the air. Still unable to do that completely but I am getting close. Still wearing my wrist brace all the time...with the exception of showering and very brief breaks if it gets itchy, sweaty, or otherwise uncomfortable.
Now that I am moving my arm again, there is some discomfort in my elbow. Mostly tightness, but some actual pain too. Minor stuff, really.
Bruising and swelling has diminished significantly since my last post. Incision area is very numb to the touch. I remember from my last surgery that this is normal. In fact, my other elbow never regained full feeling but it's so minor that I'm not complaining. How good it feels (compared to how it felt before surgery) outweighs the bad by far.
I am worried that I have "frozen shoulder." I figured that pain in my shoulder and upper arm would go away shortly after my sling was removed but it has not improved at all. I see my doctor again in two weeks so I will tough it out until then and see what he says.
I believe my arm is at about 90% mobility. Making very good progress. The most difficult movement is straightening my arm and raising it straight up into the air. Still unable to do that completely but I am getting close. Still wearing my wrist brace all the time...with the exception of showering and very brief breaks if it gets itchy, sweaty, or otherwise uncomfortable.
Now that I am moving my arm again, there is some discomfort in my elbow. Mostly tightness, but some actual pain too. Minor stuff, really.
Bruising and swelling has diminished significantly since my last post. Incision area is very numb to the touch. I remember from my last surgery that this is normal. In fact, my other elbow never regained full feeling but it's so minor that I'm not complaining. How good it feels (compared to how it felt before surgery) outweighs the bad by far.
I am worried that I have "frozen shoulder." I figured that pain in my shoulder and upper arm would go away shortly after my sling was removed but it has not improved at all. I see my doctor again in two weeks so I will tough it out until then and see what he says.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
3 Weeks Post-Op
Returned to the doctor for my three week post-op check up. I was told I no longer needed the sling. I now could just wear it "for comfort" as needed or as a mental reminder that I should take it easy. I cannot put into words how good it feels to let my arm down! Such relief after being in a sling for so long.
I am currently unable to straighten my arm due to tightness. I have to slowly work on that. I go back to the doctor in another 3 weeks. If at that time I am not able to straighten my arm completely, I was told I would have to have physical therapy. I didn't need it on my other elbow, so I am assuming I will not need it on this elbow either.
The surprise was when my doctor told me I'd have to wear a wrist splint for 3 weeks. He explained that the muscle that was cut during the operation is the same one used to flex the wrist so I needed something to keep it stable. It's a huge brace! I will need to wear it all the time, except when I shower of course. This was a surprise because I did not require a wrist brace when I had the same surgery on my right elbow last year. Stupid me didn't think to ask my doctor why this was the case.
Last year I was told at this stage not to lift anything heavier than a half cup of coffee. I was given no such warning this year. However, it may be because my doctor just forgot or assumed I remembered from my previous surgery. Just in case, I plan to give him a call tomorrow and check.
Other minor notes: Overall, I feel great. No pain. No numbness or tingling in my fingers. Just sore/tight when I try to straighten it. But I am taking it slow. Elbow area still swollen. Forearm still discolored from bruising, but getting better. I am now allowed to soak my arm and put it under the shower stream. Incision is itchy at times.
I am currently unable to straighten my arm due to tightness. I have to slowly work on that. I go back to the doctor in another 3 weeks. If at that time I am not able to straighten my arm completely, I was told I would have to have physical therapy. I didn't need it on my other elbow, so I am assuming I will not need it on this elbow either.
The surprise was when my doctor told me I'd have to wear a wrist splint for 3 weeks. He explained that the muscle that was cut during the operation is the same one used to flex the wrist so I needed something to keep it stable. It's a huge brace! I will need to wear it all the time, except when I shower of course. This was a surprise because I did not require a wrist brace when I had the same surgery on my right elbow last year. Stupid me didn't think to ask my doctor why this was the case.
Last year I was told at this stage not to lift anything heavier than a half cup of coffee. I was given no such warning this year. However, it may be because my doctor just forgot or assumed I remembered from my previous surgery. Just in case, I plan to give him a call tomorrow and check.
Other minor notes: Overall, I feel great. No pain. No numbness or tingling in my fingers. Just sore/tight when I try to straighten it. But I am taking it slow. Elbow area still swollen. Forearm still discolored from bruising, but getting better. I am now allowed to soak my arm and put it under the shower stream. Incision is itchy at times.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Day 15: Two Weeks Post-Op
Nothing really new to report. Still in a sling until I see my doctor again next week (Day 20).
I am unfortunately getting careless. I find myself starting to use my hand for things like tying a trash bag and such. I suppose it's a good thing that it is feeling so good that my body wants me to use it. Can't wait to straighten it.
Steri-strips are still holding tight. Hair starting to grow back around incision. Will update again after my next appointment.
I am unfortunately getting careless. I find myself starting to use my hand for things like tying a trash bag and such. I suppose it's a good thing that it is feeling so good that my body wants me to use it. Can't wait to straighten it.
Steri-strips are still holding tight. Hair starting to grow back around incision. Will update again after my next appointment.
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