• Wear your dressing, splint, or sling as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Do all exercises learned in the hospital, as instructed by your provider.

• Don’t drive for 2 to 3 days after surgery. And never drive while you are taking opioid pain medicine.

• Ask your doctor before going back to work. Most people can return to work after 7 days. But if your job requires heavy lifting, you may need to delay your return to work for several weeks. Remember that full recovery takes about 3 to 6 weeks.

• Don’t use the affected arm for activities that require pushing, pulling, lifting, or twisting until your healthcare provider says you can.

• Take pain medicine as directed.

• Use an ice pack to reduce the swelling. Keep the arm elevated. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes; then remove it for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a clean, thin towel or cloth. Never put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.

• Shower as needed. Cover any dressing you have with plastic to keep it dry. Seal the plastic with tape.

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by your healthcare provider.

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Shaking chills

• Increased drainage, redness, soreness, or swelling of the incision

• The incision opens

• Increased pain with or without activity