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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 elbow, wrist, or 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 waterproof band-aids over incisions and change daily
  • To avoid infection, keep surgical incisions clean and dry – you may shower by placing a large garbage bag over your sling starting the day after surgery
  • Once surgical bandages are taken off (2nd day) you may shower, with waterproof Band-Aids in place. Do not scrub the area and pat it dry. NO immersion of operative arm (i.e. bath) Change Band-Aids daily.

3. MEDICATIONS

  • Pain medication is injected into the wound and shoulder joint during surgery – this will wear off within 8-12 hours
  • Most patients will require some narcotic pain medication for a short period of time – this can be taken as per directions on the bottle
    • Primary Medication = Oxycodone
    • Take 1 – 2 tablets every 4 – 6 hours as needed
    • Max of 12 pills per day
    • Plan on using it for 2 to 5 days, depending on level of pain
  • Common side effects of the pain medication are nausea, drowsiness, and constipation – to decrease the side effects, take 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 medication changed
  • Do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking the narcotic medication
  • Ibuprofen 400-600mg (i.e. Advil) may be taken in between the narcotic pain medication to help smooth out the post-operative ‘peaks and valleys’, reduce overall amount of pain medication required, and increase the time intervals between narcotic pain medication usage.

4. ACTIVITY

  • 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 (lifting or any repetitive above shoulder level activities) over the first 7-10 days following surgery
  • Avoid long periods of sitting (without arm supported) or long distance traveling for 2 weeks
  • NO driving until instructed otherwise by physician
  • May return to sedentary work ONLY or school 3-4 days after surgery, if pain is tolerable

5. IMMOBILIZER (if prescribed)

  • Your sling should be worn for comfort purposes only – Encourage you to discontinue sling once block has worn off. Discontinue sling by post op day 3.

6. ICE THERAPY

  • Begin immediately after surgery
  • Use icing machine continuously or ice packs (if machine not prescribed) every 2 hours for 20 minutes daily until your first post-operative visit – remember to keep arm supported while icing
  • DonJoy device may be used.
    • Use unit as frequently as tolerated x 14 days
    • Unit is programmed hour on/hour off continuous of compression and ice alternating
    • If braced - Loosen brace to avoid added pressure

7. EXERCISE

  • Begin pendulum, elbow, wrist, and hand exercises 24 hours after surgery – complete 3-4 times per day until your first post-operative visit
  • If bicep tenodesis was performed, do not do any active elbow flexion. Passive elbow flexion, however, is permitted.
  • Formal physical therapy (PT) will begin the day after surgery and should be minimum of 3 days per week. Please ensure physical therapy is scheduled ahead of your surgery date.

8. EMERGENCIES

  • Contact Dr. Howard or his staff at 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

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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