Stock Your Freezer and Pantry Look for quick and easy items you can cook with one-hand. Frozen dinners are often a good option. Stock your pantry with essentials for the first few days post-op. Keep satisfying snacks on hand like nuts, dried fruit, and pre-cut vegetables that you can eat one-handed.
First and foremost, it's important to rest after surgery. You should avoid any lifting or strenuous activities, as these can place too much strain on your shoulder and slow the healing process. Get plenty of sleep to help your body heal and allow yourself time to relax. Managing pain after surgery is also important.
Light housework may resume after 6 weeks. More strenuous housework should be avoided until 3 months after your operation. After approximately six weeks you will be given permission to resume light activities of daily living. Always maintain a good posture and avoid hunched or drooped shoulders.
No motion such as that required to wash your hair, do laundry, wash dishes, or clean windows with the arm is allowed in the first 6 weeks.
In terms of the period, you will most likely need to sleep in a semi-lying position for six weeks or more, depending on the type of surgery you underwent.
The better you do with your rehab exercises, the sooner you will get your strength and movement back. Depending on your job, you may be able to go back to work as early as 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, as long as you avoid certain arm movements, such as lifting. It takes at least 6 months to return to full activity.
You will need to cover the dressing to keep it dry while showering the first 3 days after surgery. We suggest covering the shoulder with plastic wrap above and below the dressing and taping it in place. You may remove the dressing and shower normally 3 days after surgery allowing your incisions to get wet.
Using a shower chair is important to reduce the risk of slipping and falling in the shower. The shoulder brace can be removed for showering as long as the arm is supported in the lap. After 72 hours typically the bandage can be removed and the wound exposed to water and soap in the shower.
Prepare for Dressing
Loose-fitting shirts that are easy to put on, like button-down shirts and oversized t-shirts, are best for post-surgery. You can also find post-surgical shirts made specifically for shoulder surgery patients at online retailers.
You should keep ice on the shoulder for the first 48-72 hours after surgery. Ice your shoulder two to three times per day for the first week, especially before sleep.
Use a pillow prop.
Place a small pillow between your healing shoulder and your torso. This extra support will keep circulation open to your shoulder. Blood flow is essential for healing because our blood carries oxygen. Oxygen promotes the growth of collagen and helps control infection.
Volterol Patch: You may also have a Volterol patch on your shoulder after the operation. This provides a controlled, slow release of diclofenac, which is an anti-inflammatory. The patch will last for 24 hours, providing pain relief as the nerve block wears off.
Day 2 Post-Op Shoulder Surgery Recovery: For me, I think Day 3 was the hardest. I was trying my darndest to compartmentalize the pain, but the pain was making me nauseous and my brain and body were getting antsy from laying around all day. I did not eat as much as I probably should have, my stomach was still upset.
Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes that are easy to put on. Your shirt should be loose fitting through the sleeves and shoulders and button up the front.
Wearing Your Sling
Slings relieve tension and elevate your arm to the optimal healing position. Many patients wonder if they can take their sling off to sleep. Nearly every doctor will tell you this is not advisable. Wearing a sling is what keeps you from overworking your shoulder or moving it too much while it heals.
Surgical Procedure
The two most common patient positions for arthroscopic shoulder surgery are: Beach chair position. This is a semi-seated position similar to sitting in a reclining chair. Lateral decubitus position.
Most shoulder arthroscopy procedures can be reliably performed with the patient either in the lateral decubitus (LD) or beach chair (BC) position.
Post-Surgery
In general, you'll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldn't be moved too far away from the body.
Sleep at an Angle
The best position for sleeping after shoulder surgery is on an incline, rather than flat on your back.
You may remove the sling to bathe, dress, and perform elbow range of motion several times a day. It is important to wear the sling while sleeping.