|
FOR
PATIENTS WHO HAVE PLANNED SURGERY
Surgical
Scheduling:
When
scheduling surgery, you will be in contact with Jeanine Brogan
(516-798-0111, ext. 234) and Mary Ferraro (516-798-0111, ext.
257).
Pre-Surgical
Preparation:
Do
not eat or drink anything after midnight of the night before
your surgery. Do
not apply deodorant in the morning of your surgery under the
arm of the shoulder that will be operated.
If you are having outpatient surgery and going home
after your surgery, make sure you have someone who can drive
you home later in the day.
Post-Surgical Instructions:
It
is normal to have swelling and discomfort in the shoulder for
several days or a week after surgery.
Apply ice bags (i.e., frozen vegetables) or use the
Cryocuff you obtained to control swelling.
Ice should be applied 20-30 minutes at a time, every
hour or two; put a thin towel or T-shirt next to your skin if
using ice in a plastic bag.
Icing is most important in the first few days after
surgery, although many people find that continuing it lessens
their postoperative pain, even weeks or months later.
If you had a nerve block, the local anesthetic may keep your
shoulder numb for several hours.
You will be given a prescription for powerful pain
medication when you are discharged from the hospital.
If you find you do not tolerate it well, call our
office and we will try another one.
Your prescriptions will be provided to you upon
discharge from the hospital, and they should be filled and
picked up on the day of surgery to be used immediately.
Many patients find that lying down accentuates their
discomfort. You
might sleep better in a recliner, or propped up in bed.
A pillow placed behind your elbow will often be
helpful. Pump
your hand and move your wrist and elbow to keep the blood
circulating and prevent stiffness.
Move your ankles up and down 20 times each hour during
the first few days after surgery.
Keep the postoperative dressing clean and dry.
Unless it becomes wet or too tight because of swelling,
leave the bandages in place for at least two days.
Two days after your surgery remove your outer bandages;
however, do not remove the short strips over your incisions.
Cover the incisions as needed with Band-Aids. If a catheter is in place, follow the instructions on the
discharge sheet. You
may shower three days after surgery, but try to keep the
incisions dry for the first 10-14 days.
Do not wet your incisions directly (such as submerging
your shoulder with bathing or swimming) until at least 2 weeks
after surgery.
The sutures will be removed at your first post-operative visit
approximately 5-10 days after surgery.
If you don't have your first post-operative visit
scheduled, call our office to make one.
Instructions for home exercises will be provided on the
discharge instruction sheet. If you have a home exercise kit, bring in the booklet for
each of your post-operative visits for further instructions.
If you have an arthroscopic reconstructive procedure such as
an instability repair, labral repair, or rotator cuff repair,
your arm will be in a sling for approximately four weeks
during the initial rehabilitation period.
Each patient will have an individualized post-operative
program. Unless
instructed otherwise, you can remove the sling to go in the
shower; however, keep your arm at the side and do not use it
actively. Do not move the arm out to the side. You can type on a computer with your arm at the side and you
can bend your elbow to feed yourself.
Otherwise, keep the sling on.
In certain cases, a specialized sling is used, and
instructions will be provided for its use.
After approximately three to four weeks, we will
advance your physical therapy program appropriate for your
shoulder. It
often helps to call before surgery to make an appointment with
your physical therapist.
Be
in the care of a responsible adult.
Abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages and from
smoking. You may
eat your usual diet, if not nauseated.
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids.
Do not make important decisions or sign legal
documents. Plan
to take a few days off work, unless you have a discussion
prior to surgery indicating otherwise.
Driving is prohibited for a period time following
surgery. Do
not lift, push, pull, or carry anything with the operated
arm/hand.
-Top-
Post-Surgical
Rehabilitation:
When
physical therapy is initiated, certain procedures use
specific protocols that you and your therapist will follow
as your recovery progresses. If you have any specific questions that
your physical therapist can not answer, your therapist can
contact your doctor for further instructions. Some of the post-surgical
guidelines can be viewed at the links below:
-Top-
|