Getting Back Behind the Wheel Following Shoulder Replacement
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the number of shoulder replacements has increased exponentially in recent years – with statistics reporting 18,000 procedures in 2000, and a staggering 45,000 procedures in 2013. The sizeable Baby Boomer population, combined with their propensity to stay active well into old age, and a susceptibility to osteoarthritis, has led to a host of complications in one of the most delicate body parts – the shoulder. On a quest to restore function and reduce pain, many have gone under the knife for shoulder replacement.
You may be wondering why the shoulder is so prone to injury. For one, the “ball-and-socket” joint offers us more range of motion than any other joint in the human body. However, this type of joint requires more support from muscles and tendons than other bones, making it easily overused and injured. A full shoulder replacement is a serious medical procedure, which involves replacing the arthritic joint materials with a highly-polished metal ball and socket. While you may be able to return home a day or two after your surgical procedure, this will only be the beginning of the long road to recuperation.
In order to protect the rotator cuff – the muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, the Hospital for Special Surgery recommends wearing a sling for four to six weeks following surgery. Another source from the National Library of Medicine suggests six weeks in a splint. Your surgeons will develop a specific plan for your recuperation period and outline the do’s and dont’s to adhere to during this recovery time. Not being able to drive can leave many feeling like a grounded teenager without the keys, but it’s important to stay off the road until your physician says the coast is clear. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to get behind the wheel again.
One rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t drive until your shoulder is strong enough to hold the arm in a horizontal position straight out in front of you. However, an AAOS study involving a simulated driving course revealed that patients showed improved driving performance at around 12 weeks; participants were statistically less prone to collisions, as compared to people who were two weeks post-surgery. For one, you may be on strong medications to mitigate the pain – which means that operating machinery (including a car) would be dangerous.
While you aren’t able to do any heavy lifting immediately following surgery, some targeted movements are vital to your recovery. Physical therapy exercises will be recommended in the hospital and should be followed at home for the next couple of months. Pendulum exercises – such as hanging your arm, and gently swinging it in circles, are beneficial for putting you on the path to a swifter healing process. This will increase your range of movement and prevent stiffness. For many patients, it can take up to one year to regain full functioning of the arm.
Are you considering a shoulder replacement? You’re certainly not alone; whether your pain stems from arthritis, trauma, or a sports or work injury – the experts at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder offer a host of nonsurgical and surgical techniques to quell your discomfort. For more information, call (410) 296-6232.
Resources:
1Sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161201163606.htm
2Loyolamedicine.org/news/shoulder-replacements-skyrocketing-nationally-and-loyola-11302016
3Mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotator-cuff-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20350225
4Hss.edu/physician-files/pearle/Rotator-Cuff-Surgery-FAQ.pdf
5Medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000176.htm
6Liftmyarm.com/what-you-need-to-know-after-surgery/
7Sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140313092607.htm
