Undergoing shoulder surgery is no small feat – and neither is your recovery process. There are many rules and guidelines you need to follow for your surgery and recovery, and we understand that sometimes it can be difficult to keep track of everything you’re supposed to do.
Whether you’ve had a total shoulder replacement or a minimally invasive rotator cuff repair procedure, you need to take the time and effort to heal. Let’s talk about five different mistakes you can avoid during your recovery period, ensuring you heal as quickly as possible and get back to living your life to the fullest.
- Don’t Take Your Sling or Immobilizer Off Too Soon
When you start feeling like yourself again, it’s easy to get comfortable and feel as though you’re ready to take the next step in our recovery. You must listen to your doctor’s timelines throughout your recovery process. Taking your sling or immobilizer off too soon can lead to reinjuring your shoulder, and returning to physical activities such as sports can lead to further damage to the body. Always consult your doctor when you think you’re ready to remove your sling or immobilizer, and heed your doctor’s advice.
- Don’t Use Your Operated Hand to Lift Anything
Following your surgery, the use of your entire arm is at risk of reinjuring your shoulder. We encourage you to think twice when lifting an object, ensuring you use your non-operated hand to do the hard work. Your provider may recommend avoiding lifting objects for up to 12 weeks following your shoulder procedure. If you do find that you need to use your operated hand to perform your daily activities, it’s important to consult your doctor for advice. They’ll be able to help you find alternatives until it’s safe to use your arm and hand again.
- Don’t Skip Your Physical Therapy Sessions
Physical therapy is all about restoring strength and range of motion in your operated areas. When your shoulder is operated on and out of use for several weeks or months, it can be easy for these muscles to weaken and for you to lose your strength and mobility. If you skip your physical therapy sessions, you will only hinder yourself in the long term. Talk to your provider about your physical therapy schedule to ensure it fits your lifestyle.
- Don’t Smoke
Your doctor will tell you not to smoke for several weeks following your surgery, so you may feel that you have the green light to smoke following your surgery. However, we highly recommend you do not smoke throughout your shoulder surgery recovery. Smoking nicotine- and tobacco-based products slow down the natural healing powers of your bones, muscles, and tendons, thus slowing down your recovery. Avoiding smoking during your recovery can ensure you’re on the fast track to good health.
- Don’t Rush Your Recovery
Recovery takes time – up to 12 weeks or more. In the grand scheme, 12 weeks is not an extended period, although it may feel like it. You must take your recovery seriously so you don’t risk reinjuring your shoulder or causing more damage to the operated area. If you’re worried about your recovery timeline, talk to your provider.
Your Shoulder Surgeon in Baltimore, MD
Shoulder surgery doesn’t have to be intimidating. The team of providers at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder offers high-quality, comprehensive surgical care to patients across Maryland. From minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to total shoulder replacements, our providers and state-of-the-art on-site facilities offer our patients the care they deserve.
To learn more about the services offered by our practice, call us today at (410) 296-6232 or request an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you!
