The recovery involved after having shoulder recovery is dependent on many factors, including your overall health, the type of shoulder injury or damage you had, the type of surgery you had, and your adherence to the rehabilitation instructions and recommendations which were given to you.
If you’re going to have shoulder surgery, you may be wondering what recovery is going to be like. Is it difficult? How much function in your arm will you have while you recover? When can you resume normal activities?
Let’s talk about what recovery is like after having shoulder surgery, and where you can go for a thorough yet efficient evaluation and treatment of your shoulder pain.
Preparing Your Home for Recovery After a Shoulder Operation
Getting your home organized and ready for your return after shoulder surgery can make the whole process a much more comfortable experience. Doing any kind of reaching – such as while cooking or preparing food – is going to be prohibited or strictly limited for a number of days with your operated arm, so you may want to prepare your meals beforehand. You can also decide to schedule food delivery of your meals during the first few weeks.
To make showering easier, get a detachable showerhead to use with your non-operated arm. The incision area will need to be kept dry for a period of time. A shower chair also makes showering easier and helps to prevent accidents as you carefully avoid getting the incision site wet.
Also, think of the things you reach and manipulate on a regular basis. Keep the remote control in an easy-to-reach spot in the living room and bedroom, and be ready to place your drink on the correct side of the chair while you’re watching TV or reading (the “correct” side being the side that is not having the surgery).
Keep food items in your refrigerator positioned on the lower shelf for easy reach. It is also a good idea to buy smaller containers of food you eat on a regular basis, such as small cartons of milk, so that they’re easier to grasp and pour.
Controlling Pain After Shoulder Surgery
Your shoulder surgeon will prescribe a pain-relief medication to take in order to reduce pain while you recover. You may also be given an antibiotic to prevent infections; even if you eschew medication in general, be sure to take the antibiotic as directed. You do not want an infection to undo the good work that was done to your shoulder.
Ice treatment can also help to relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation. Once you start physical therapy exercises, you should begin to experience positive effects during your recuperation.
Wound Care
The doctor will explain how to keep the surgical area clean, dry, and healing well. You will see the surgeon in another week or two for the removal of the stitches. Once the stitches are removed, you may gently rinse the wound – but do not take long showers or soak in the tub. Be on the lookout for signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, oozing, or a fever.
Shoulder Surgeon in Baltimore
Our shoulder surgeons at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder can treat the full range of shoulder problems, from rotator cuff injuries to shoulder arthritis to work-related injuries. Since 1987, our medical practice has been providing comprehensive orthopedic shoulder treatment to people in Lutherville, Bel Air, Clarksville, Eldersburg, Pasadena, Westminster, and the surrounding communities of Baltimore.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with one of our outstanding shoulder surgeons, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (410) 296-6232 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get the full use of your arm back again!
