After shoulder surgery, you'll need easy-to-wear clothing (button-downs, loose tops), shower aids (detachable head, stool), pillows for support, ice packs, meal prep/easy foods, and dressing aids (reachers, one-handed can openers) to manage daily tasks one-handed and ensure comfort, especially while sleeping elevated and keeping your incision dry.
Managing your personal care after shoulder surgery. Whilst you are required to wear your shoulder sling we recommend that you strip wash, to reduce the risk of injury/falls. Wear loose fitting clothing e.g. t-shirts, shirts or blouse to make it easier to get dressed. Avoid straps being placed over your wound.
The most important thing you can do after rotator cuff surgery – especially if you live alone – is to prepare yourself to be able to do your essential activities of daily living, such as showering, dressing, and preparing meals afterward. It can be difficult if you're typically an independent person.
Staying Entertained After Shoulder Surgery
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. We do recommend that you put a t-shirt or a thin towel between you and the sleeve so that it doesn't injure your skin.
The "7 Minute Rotator Cuff Solution" refers to a short, daily exercise program from a book by Joseph Horrigan and Jerry Robinson, designed to prevent and rehabilitate rotator cuff injuries by strengthening muscles, improving mobility, and creating space in the shoulder joint through simple, gentle movements like stretches and specific strengthening exercises, often using bodyweight or light resistance to boost blood flow and joint lubrication, though it's best used alongside a professional diagnosis.
Driving. You can drive as soon as you feel confident, competent and in complete control of the vehicle. You should start with short journeys, initially with somebody accompanying you. You should not try to drive until after six weeks, and after the sling is removed entirely.
Washing if you are allowed to move your shoulder (within restrictions)
Arrange for help
Our surgeons and nursing staff require that you have someone at home with you the first night after your surgery. It would be most helpful to have someone living with or near you for the first 3-5 days. This is very important for your safety and health that you have around-the-clock care.
A Foley catheter is inserted if the procedure length may exceed 3 hours. The catheter is secured to the patient's abdomen and handed off the head of the operative table to the anesthesia staff for urine output monitoring.
If you had arthroscopic surgery, you can take a shower 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Remove the sling, and leave your arm by your side.
You must wear your sling at all times, including night time (6 to 8 weeks in the sling depending on the type of replacement surgery you have had). The only times you may take it off are: Dressing, bathing, and exercising your hand, wrist, and elbow.
Advance planning helps, so here's our list of 10 must-haves to keep your recovery stress-free.
Ȥ Lean forward to wash and dry under your arm without lifting it. Don't lift your arm out to the side. You can use roll-on deodorant but don't use spray. You could spray your surgical site by accident.
A shampoo cap is a clever little invention soaked in a gentle, rinse-free cleansing formula. Just pop it on your head, massage it through your hair for a few minutes, and towel dry. That's it. No water, no mess, no need to lean over a sink or climb into a bath.
Many surgeons recommend not wearing a traditional bra for at least two weeks after a procedure for all of those reasons. However, you can safely wear a bra after shoulder surgery if you choose one that's soft, fits you well, and is appropriately designed.
Does my car insurance cover me for driving after surgery? Yes, your car insurance should cover you if you're recovering from surgery, provided your doctor says you're fit to drive. If you've had a general anaesthetic you can't drive for at least 48 hours. Beyond that, you must follow the advice of your doctor.
Decrease the pain medications as soon as you can. This is typically after the first few days. Most patients require narcotic pain medications only for the first few weeks after surgery (even large procedures).
An arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery may take around 1 to 1.5 hours, whereas an open surgery may take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Conservative treatments — such as rest, ice and physical therapy — sometimes are all that's needed to recover from a rotator cuff injury. If your injury is severe, you might need surgery.
“The pool is like a wraparound compressive wrap, or a giant Spanx, that slashes edema, one of the biggest post-op symptoms after surgery,” says Stillman. It can also improve your circulation and decrease postsurgical pain, according to a study involving some 190 patients undergoing rotator cuff repair surgery.