Discharge Instructions for Shoulder Arthroscopy

You had a shoulder arthroscopy. It is a surgical procedure that helps the doctor diagnose and treat shoulder problems. These include instability, arthritis, and rotator cuff problems. Below are instructions to help you care for your shoulder when you are at home.

What to Expect

After surgery, your joint may be swollen, painful, and stiff. The joint will heal with time. But, recovery times vary depending on what was done. For example, with a shaved rotator cuff, you may be told to move your arm soon after surgery to prevent stiffness. But if the rotator cuff repair or treatment is for instability or arthritis, your doctor may want you to limit movement of your arm for a period of time. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding arm movement.

Activity

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. And never drive while taking narcotic pain medication.

  • Slowly increase your  activity

  • No pushing, pulling or straining with your hand or arm (vacuuming, shoveling, sweeping, etc.)

  • Bend your wrist and wiggle your fingers often to help blood flow.

Incision Care

  • Check your incision daily for redness, tenderness, or drainage.

  • Wait 2 day(s) after your surgery to begin showering.

  • Don’t soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool until your doctor says it’s okay.

Other Home Care

  • Wear your sling or immobilizer as directed by your doctor to keep your arm and shoulder in a comfortable position

  • Do not wear rings on the fingers of your affected hand.

  • Use pain medication, as directed.

  • Report a fever above 101°F to your doctor. Fever may be a sign of infection.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Increasing shoulder pain or pain not relieved by medication

  • Pain or swelling in the arm or fingers on the side of your surgery

  • Numbness, tingling, or blue-gray color of your arm or fingers on the side of your surgery

  • Foul smell from your incision or dressing

  • Drainage or oozing, redness, warmth or opening at the incision

  • Fever above 101°F or shaking chills

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Any new problems or concerns

Discharge Instructions for Shoulder Arthroscopy

You had a shoulder arthroscopy. It is a surgical procedure that helps the doctor diagnose and treat shoulder problems. These include instability, arthritis, and rotator cuff problems. Below are instructions to help you care for your shoulder when you are at home.

What to Expect

After surgery, your joint may be swollen, painful, and stiff. The joint will heal with time. But, recovery times vary depending on what was done. For example, with a shaved rotator cuff, you may be told to move your arm soon after surgery to prevent stiffness. But if the rotator cuff repair or treatment is for instability or arthritis, your doctor may want you to limit movement of your arm for a period of time. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding arm movement.

Activity

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. And never drive while taking narcotic pain medication.

  • Slowly increase your  activity

  • No pushing, pulling or straining with your hand or arm (vacuuming, shoveling, sweeping, etc.)

  • Bend your wrist and wiggle your fingers often to help blood flow.

Incision Care

  • Check your incision daily for redness, tenderness, or drainage.

  • Wait 2 day(s) after your surgery to begin showering.

  • Don’t soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool until your doctor says it’s okay.

Other Home Care

  • Wear your sling or immobilizer as directed by your doctor to keep your arm and shoulder in a comfortable position

  • Do not wear rings on the fingers of your affected hand.

  • Use pain medication, as directed.

  • Report a fever above 101°F to your doctor. Fever may be a sign of infection.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Increasing shoulder pain or pain not relieved by medication

  • Pain or swelling in the arm or fingers on the side of your surgery

  • Numbness, tingling, or blue-gray color of your arm or fingers on the side of your surgery

  • Foul smell from your incision or dressing

  • Drainage or oozing, redness, warmth or opening at the incision

  • Fever above 101°F or shaking chills

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Any new problems or concerns

Discharge Instructions for Shoulder Arthroscopy

You had a shoulder arthroscopy. It is a surgical procedure that helps the doctor diagnose and treat shoulder problems. These include instability, arthritis, and rotator cuff problems. Below are instructions to help you care for your shoulder when you are at home.

What to Expect

After surgery, your joint may be swollen, painful, and stiff. The joint will heal with time. But, recovery times vary depending on what was done. For example, with a shaved rotator cuff, you may be told to move your arm soon after surgery to prevent stiffness. But if the rotator cuff repair or treatment is for instability or arthritis, your doctor may want you to limit movement of your arm for a period of time. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding arm movement.

Activity

  • Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. And never drive while taking narcotic pain medication.

  • Slowly increase your  activity

  • No pushing, pulling or straining with your hand or arm (vacuuming, shoveling, sweeping, etc.)

  • Bend your wrist and wiggle your fingers often to help blood flow.

Incision Care

  • Check your incision daily for redness, tenderness, or drainage.

  • Wait 2 day(s) after your surgery to begin showering.

  • Don’t soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool until your doctor says it’s okay.

Other Home Care

  • Wear your sling or immobilizer as directed by your doctor to keep your arm and shoulder in a comfortable position

  • Do not wear rings on the fingers of your affected hand.

  • Use pain medication, as directed.

  • Report a fever above 101°F to your doctor. Fever may be a sign of infection.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

  • Chest pain

  • Shortness of breath

Otherwise, call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Increasing shoulder pain or pain not relieved by medication

  • Pain or swelling in the arm or fingers on the side of your surgery

  • Numbness, tingling, or blue-gray color of your arm or fingers on the side of your surgery

  • Foul smell from your incision or dressing

  • Drainage or oozing, redness, warmth or opening at the incision

  • Fever above 101°F or shaking chills

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Any new problems or concerns
© Copyright StayWell. All Rights Reserved.