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1. Diet

  • Begin with clear liquids and light foods (Jell-O, soups, etc.)
  • Progress to your normal diet if you are not nauseated

2. Wound Care

  • Maintain your operative dressing, loosen bandage if swelling of the hand occurs
  • It is normal for the shoulder to bleed and swell following surgery. If blood soaks through the bandage, do not become alarmed, reinforce with additional dressing
  • Remove surgical dressing on the 2nd post-operative day – if minimal drainage is present, apply band-aids or a clean dressing over incisions and change daily.
  • To avoid infection, keep surgical incisions clean and dry – you may shower by placing a plastic covering over the surgical site beginning the day after surgery.
  • You can get your shoulder wet in the shower on the 3rd post-operative day after placing waterproof Band-Aids over incision sites. Change Band-Aids daily. NO immersion in a bath until given approval by our office.

3. Medications

  • Local anesthetics are injected into the wound and shoulder joint at the time of surgery. This will wear off within 8-12 hours and it is not uncommon for patients to encounter more pain on the first or second day after surgery when swelling peaks.
  • Most patients will require some narcotic pain medication for a short period of time – this can be taken as per directions on the bottle.
  • Common side effects of the pain medication are nausea, drowsiness, and constipation. To decrease the side effects take the medication with food. If constipation occurs, consider taking an over the counter laxative.
  • If you are having problems with nausea and vomiting, contact the office to possibly have your medications changed.
  • Do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking the narcotic medication or while in sling
  • If you are having pain that is not being controlled by the pain medication prescribed, you may take an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen in between doses of pain medication. This will help to decrease pain and decrease the amount of narcotic medication required. Please take as directed on the bottle.
  • For 2 weeks following surgery take one 81mg aspirin twice daily to lower the risk of developing a blood clot after surgery. Please contact the office should severe distal arm pain occur or significant swelling of the distal arm and/or hand occur.

4. Activity

  • You are to wear the sling placed at surgery for 1-2 weeks for comfort as instructed.
  • When sleeping or resting, inclined positions (i.e.: reclining chair) and a pillow under the forearm for support may provide better comfort
  • Do not engage in activities which increase pain/swelling. Unless otherwise
  • instructed the arm should remain in the sling at all times.
  • Avoid long periods of sitting or long distance traveling for 2 weeks.
  • NO driving until instructed otherwise by physician, it is illegal to drive in a sling
  • May return to sedentary work ONLY or school 3-4 days after surgery, if pain is tolerable

5. Immobilizer (if prescribed)

  • Your sling is to be worn 1-2 weeks following surgery for comfort

6. Ice Therapy

  • Icing is very important in the initial post-operative period and should begin immediately after surgery.
  • Use ice packs for 20 minutes every 2 hours daily until your first post-operative visit. If you are using the DonJoy ice machine you may use it as often as comfortable. Care should be taken with icing to avoid frostbite to the skin.

7. Exercise

  • Begin exercises (pendulums and active bicep flexion without resistance) 24 hours after surgery unless otherwise instructed.
  • While maintaining your elbow by the side, begin elbow, hand, and wrist exercises immediately.
  • Formal physical therapy (PT) typically begins 7-10 days after surgery. Contact your physical therapy location of choice to schedule appointments.

8. EMERGENCIES

  • Contact Dr. Howard or his staff at 831-648-7200 if any of the following are present:
    • Painful swelling or numbness
    • Unrelenting pain
    • Fever (over 101° - it is normal to have a low grade fever for the first day or two following surgery) or chills
    • Redness around incisions
    • Color change in wrist or hand
    • Continuous drainage or bleeding from incision (a small amount of drainage is expected)
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Excessive nausea/vomiting
  • **If you have an emergency after office hours or on the weekend, contact the same office number and you will be connected to our page service)
  • **If you have an emergency that requires immediate attention, proceed to the nearest emergency room.

9. FOLLOW UP CARE + QUESTIONS

  • Typically the first post-operative appointment following surgery is 10-14 days following surgery
  • If you do not already have a postoperative appointment scheduled, please contact the office during normal office hours (831-648-7200) and ask for appointment scheduling.
  • The first post-operative appointment will be with Dr. Howard where he will assess the wound, go over post-operative protocol, and answer any questions you may have regarding the procedure

Other Shoulder Post-Op Instructions

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Monterey Spine & Joint Home

Ryan Ranch 12 Upper Ragsdale Drive Monterey, CA 93940

  • Practice Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
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