After Hospitalization Following Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Hospital Stay Duration

You will likely be discharged from the hospital on the second or third day following your shoulder replacement surgery, depending on your recovery. Once you're home, it's crucial to follow your orthopedic surgeon's instructions during the first few weeks post-operation.

 

Medications

You will be prescribed pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin to help prevent blood clots. Only use pain medication if you experience pain. Take the anti-inflammatory medication as prescribed.

 

Incision Care

You will have stitches along your wound on the front of your shoulder. These will be removed one week after your surgery, at your first follow-up appointment. Call your surgeon immediately if your incision swells, drains, becomes red or painful, or if you develop a fever.

Before leaving the hospital, your incision will be covered with a dry dressing. Please keep the incision dry and clean. The dressing can be changed daily, and it's not unusual to have some blood on the dressing. Do not shower or bathe before returning for your follow-up appointment. The incision is not yet healed, and wetting the incision exposes the shoulder to a risk of infection. Once the stitches are removed and if your doctor allows it, you may shower and allow water to run over the wound. Do not soak the wound in a bath or hot tub. Pat the wound dry after showering.

 

5 Practical Tips After Shoulder Replacement

1. Caution if You Need Two Shoulder Replacements

If you need both shoulders replaced, avoid doing it simultaneously as this will prevent you from eating, bathing, and performing other simple activities. Full recovery takes 9-12 months, but you should be functional within three months. You may be unable to drive for six to eight weeks.

 

2. Avoid Lifting Heavy Weights After Shoulder Replacement

After shoulder replacement surgery, avoid lifting relatively heavy weights with the arm that has had the shoulder replaced. To maintain the range of motion in the shoulder, continue doing the exercises recommended by your physical therapist during your recovery period and beyond, including straightening yourself as much as possible. Remember that it is important to maintain the tone of the muscles around the shoulder despite the replacement.

 

3. Your Movement Might Be Slightly Compromised

Remember that your remaining rotator cuff may have been supplemented by preferential use of the deltoid muscle, which may limit your range of motion. Expect that you may no longer be able to reach your back as well.

 

4. An Electric Razor Might Help

Men may find it more convenient to use an electric razor, or may consider growing a beard to simplify their morning routine.

 

5. Helpful Dressing Tips

• Thread your belt through your pants' loops before putting them on.
• Tying a tie may be more difficult, especially after having two shoulder replacements. You may try putting the tie loosely before putting on the shirt.
• You may need to buy shirts with a slightly wider collar to make fastening the top button easier. You may also find it easier to avoid button-down collars.

Physical Activity After Shoulder Replacement

Physical activity is a crucial part of recovery. Continue doing the exercises you learned in the hospital. You will be given a physiotherapy exercise plan to follow before leaving the hospital. For the next three to six weeks, you'll need to protect your shoulder so the muscles can heal. You should have an appointment with a therapist in the first or second week after leaving the hospital. During the first few weeks of recovery, the physical therapist may teach you or help you perform specific exercises to strengthen your arm and shoulder.

You may experience swelling and bruising on your hand and arm. This is normal and results from swelling and bruising in your shoulder, which travels down the arm. Unfortunately, there's no treatment for this, but it's recommended to frequently bend and straighten your elbow and make a fist to help maintain your circulation.

It's recommended to wear your shoulder sling when you are in public or moving around. You can remove it when reading, watching TV, or working at a desk. When getting dressed, it's easiest to put the operated arm into the shirt sleeve first and then put on the sling. You may use your arm for normal daily activities like eating, writing, or shaving, but you shouldn't lift objects or reach abruptly until instructed to do so.

Six weeks post-operation, when you've regained full shoulder movement, you can likely resume driving. At that point, your surgeon may also clear you to return to work, depending on your physical activity level. You will also begin strengthening your shoulder through physiotherapy.

 

[dt_sc_button title="Free Quote" size="medium" style="bordered" icon_type="" link="url:https%3A%2F%2F127.0.0.1/tds%2Fdevis%2F" textcolor="#ffffff" bgcolor="#0c73ba">