You will feel tired for several days. Your shoulder will be swollen. And you may notice that your skin is a different colour near the cut (incision). Your hand and arm may also be swollen.
For the first week after surgery, you'll be asked to stay home and rest as much as possible. Your arm will be in a sling to help protect you from accidentally injuring yourself or straining the muscles. You'll be able to use your elbow, wrist, and hand- but need to rest your shoulder.
Rest is key to recuperation, so try to stay as comfortable as possible. Use an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a light cloth) to help reduce inflammation during the first three to five days after surgery. After that period, heat can provide some relief for pain and stiffness. Take medication as directed.
You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm. You may remove your arm from the sling to bend and straighten your elbow and to move your fingers several times a day.
Although your arm will likely be immobilized in a sling for four to six weeks after the surgery, you can return to most of your normal activities within a few days of surgery. You will be able to drive and walk, but remember you will be doing these things with one arm.
Swelling and Bruising.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
You will most likely need to sleep in a semi-reclined position for at least six weeks after surgery, sometimes longer. If you don't own a recliner, it may be worthwhile to buy one or borrow one from a friend before you have your shoulder surgery.
Introduction: Pain can be severe during the first days after arthroscopic surgery, and acute pain is an important outcome in clinical trials of surgical technique or anaesthetic strategy.
Please do not wear a traditional bra for two weeks, but one with a T-back or racer back straps are okay.
Yes. You should only be removing your sling for dressing and bathing. This helps keep you from unconsciously putting your arm in a bad position and waking up in a world of pain. If you are having issues wearing a sling while sleeping, talk to your provider as they may have some tips or tricks.
If you have a sedentary job, you should be able to return to work in just two to three weeks. If you have a job that requires a lot of pushing, pulling, or lifting with your arms, you may need to take three to four months off from work to focus on your rehabilitation.
You may use your wrist, hand, and elbow for daily activities. This includes eating, shaving, dressing, as long as you do not move your operated arm away from your body and it does not increase your pain. Do not use your arm to push up/off the bed or chair for six weeks after your surgery.
A rotator cuff surgery is a major surgical intervention in the shoulder, and the reason that there is pain after surgery is the amount of normal surgical trauma. Cutting, drilling, cauterizing, and suturing tissues create pain and inflammation.
It's important to note that during rotator cuff surgery recovery, you will likely be in a sling from 2 to 6 weeks. Until you're out of your sling, it is not recommended to drive. Reaction times with one arm, especially non-dominant, are reduced after surgery.
After surgery, one of the most popular questions patients ask the shoulder surgeon is, “When can I drive again?” In general, you should avoid driving for at least six to twelve weeks or until your doctor says you don't need to wear the sling any more.
There are a few reasons why sleeping after shoulder surgery is difficult. Part of the issue may come down to the procedure itself. You may be processing the surgery or feeling anxious about healing. You may also have pain medication with side effects that can make sleep more difficult.
Background. The administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients is thought to impair rotator cuff healing and clinical outcomes.
Naproxen 500 (2 Aleve) every 12 hours OR ibuprofen 800 (4 Advil) every 8 hours. Take with food and avoid if history of ulcers, severe reflux or kidney disease. Continue for 5 days and then as needed.
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.
The best position for most people with shoulder surgery is the reclined position because it reduces tension in the shoulder joint and the surrounding soft tissue. Lie on a reclined position on the bed with a few pillows to strengthen your lower and middle back.
Wound Care: Leave the big surgical bandage on and do not shower for 48 hours after surgery. After 48 hrs, remove bandages, and apply waterproof bandaids to the incision(s) prior to showering (available at Walgreens or CVS).
There may be a significant correlation between worst pain at 48 hours and return to normal activity within seven days. There may be a risk that patients can not return to normal activities within seven days because of worst pain experience at 48 hours after day surgery.