Nicholas K. Sablan, M.D.

Proximal Biceps Tenodesis

Post Operative Instructions after Proximal Biceps Tenodesis Helpful Hints & Important Precautions for Patients

Diet

Medications:

Before surgery you will be offered a nerve block which helps greatly with pain control and decreases your need to take narcotic medications. It is important to begin taking your pain pills before this medicine wears off.
This first medication I use is Percocet (Oxycodone/Acetominophen) which is a strong narcotic pain medication combined with Tylenol. It will begin to work within 15 minutes after taking it with a maximal effect in one to two hours. Normally, Percocet is taken 1 pill every 6 hours but if the pain is severe, it can be used 2 pills every 4 hours.

Common side effects of the medication are nausea, constipation, itching, and drowsiness.
The best way to prevent nausea is to take the medicine with a little food, start with just one pill, and be patient while the medicine begins to work. Usually, after the first few doses the nausea will go away. I also prescribe an anti-nausea medication called Zofran (Odansetron) to be taken if you have persistent nausea after surgery.
I strongly recommend you take an over-the-counter stool softener such as Colace 100 mg 1 tablet a day and a laxative such as Sennokot DS 1 tablet a day to avoid constipation.
Take Benadryl one half hour before your narcotic if you experience itching.
You will also be given a prescription for Naprosyn which is a strong anti-inflammatory medication. Take this twice a day with food in addition to the Percocet. Both medications with work synergistically in pain relief. Do not take if history of stomach ulcers or kidney dysfunction.
Transition from Percocet to Tylenol as your pain subsides, but pay attention to the dosage as Percocet has 325 mg of Tylenol in each pill. Patients with normal liver function should not consume more than 3000 mg of Tylenol per day.

Bandages & Sling:

Your post-operative dressing has two layers you need to understand in order to properly care for your surgery site. Your incisions were closed with absorbable sutures and covered by steristrips (butterfly bandages).

The second layer is a large white fluffy dressing and ABD pads that are held in place with tape.
Unless directed otherwise, remove this dressing 2 days after surgery and place large band-aids over the steri-strips.
Because the surgery is performed arthroscopically, occasionally there will be water with a small amount of blood on this dressing. This is nothing to worry about, however if you see a lot of bleeding please call Dr. Sablan.

Washing & Sling:

You should be careful to keep the wound clean and dry for the first 48 hours after surgery.
Beginning on the second day after surgery it is OK to shower over the incisions. Place plastic wrap over the incisions during showering and then remove. Leave the steri-strips in place.
Do not take a bath until after the first post-operative visit.
It is OK to go into a swimming pool after the first post-operative visit, but no lakes or ocean until two weeks after surgery.

Ice & Activity:

One important goal following surgery is to minimize swelling around your surgery site. The best way to achieve this is with the frequent application of ice. This is most important during the first 48 hours following surgery. The ice pack should be large (like a big zip-lock bag) and held firmly on the area of your surgery. Apply for 20 minutes every hour while awake if possible.

Dr. Sablan may order a cold compression unit for you. Use as directed.
You are free to move your elbow and wrist, but because of the repair I will initially restrict motion of your shoulder.
You need to wear the sling unless showering or in a seated position.
You may return to sedentary work only or school in 3-4 days after surgery if your pain is tolerable.
Avoid long distance traveling in cars or by airplane during the first week after surgery to avoid increasing your risk of developing blood clots.

Sleeping:

Many patients have difficulty sleeping after shoulder surgery. You may find that sleeping in a slightly upright position (ie reclining chair) with a pillow under your forearm will be your most comfortable position. Make sure to have your pain under control before you sleep.

Physical Therapy

The goal of physical therapy is to first assess how your body responded to the surgical procedure. They help you feel comfortable with your surgery and make sure you aren't afraid to start doing things. Your therapist will start range of motion and strength exercises on your first visit.
You will start physical therapy after your first post-operative visit.

Follow up appointment:

We try to give all of our patients a follow-up office visit at the same time we schedule your surgery.
Typically I want to see my patients in the office 5 to 10 days after surgery.

FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT:

What to watch out for:

∞ Pain that is increasing every hour in spite of the pain medication

∞ Drainage from the wound more than 2 days after surgery

∞ Increasing redness around the surgical site

∞ Pain or swelling around your surgery

∞ Fever greater than 101.5 degrees.

∞ Unable to keep food or water down for more than one day