Healing and recovery area gradual process after any surgery, including shoulder replacement surgery – a common orthopedic procedure performed to treat shoulder joint pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
If you’ve shoulder replacement surgery on the calendar,you may be looking for tips and tricks for a successful and speedy recovery. Let’s talk about some tips you can follow to ensure a safe, speedy, and yet full recovery and where you can go for outstanding shoulder replacement surgery in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, Florida.
Tip #1 Consider Pre-Rehabilitation
Pre-rehabilitation not only prepares your body for surgery but also makes it easier for your body to recover following surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon may advise you to do exercises before surgery to make it easier to regain full motion of your shoulder quickly after the surgery.
Before surgery, you should work with a physical therapist to strengthen your shoulder and maintain shoulder flexibility as much as possible to have a successful recovery.
Tip#2 Prepare Your Home Environment in Advance
Ensure that your home is ready, meaning you have all the necessary supplies on hand, such as canned food, toiletries, medications, and other equipment you might need during your recovery phase.
Since the first few days following your surgery, your arm and shoulder will be in a sling or cast, keep your kitchen appliance and other items on lower shelves. Also, buy loose clothes that can be buttoned or zippered easily.
Tip#3 Stick to Your Post-Op Rehab Plan
Post-op rehab is crucial to regain full use of your shoulder and avoiding any surgery complications.
Following your surgery, your physical therapist will do some exercises in the rehab room in the hospital. Plus, before discharge, you will learn some range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises you can do at home.
You must also attend in-office physical therapy sessions to recover safely and quickly.
Tip#4Follow Your Orthopedic Surgeon’s Instructions
On your discharge, your orthopedic surgeon will give somepost-op instructions, which you must follow for a speedy and successful recovery. These instructions may include the following:
- Do not lift anything heavier than five pounds for one month following surgery
- Avoid lifting any heavy object for at least two months
- Do not play contact sports
- Avoid placing your arm in any extreme position, i.e., stretching your arm straight out to your side or behind the back, for about six weeks following surgery
- Manage your pain and inflammation with pain medications prescribed to you,along with heat and cold therapy
- Take your antibiotics as advised to prevent the chances of infection
- Watch for any signs of complications, like high fever, infection, wound drainage, etc.
- Sleep in the right position, i.e., on your side where you did not have surgery.
Tip#5 Be Patient in Your Recovery Phase
The recovery period following a shoulder replacement surgery depends on the type of surgery you had – and recovery timeline varies from person to person. So be patient while you recover from the surgery. This is because if you try to resume your old habits or work too quickly by straining your shoulder, your recovery process may prolong.
Reverse Shoulder Replacement Recovery in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, Florida
At Advanced Orthopedic Center, our highly trained and skilled orthopedic surgeons have been providing comprehensive orthopedic care and interventional pain management for more than 40 years. Our orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Connors performs joint replacement surgeries, including shoulder joint replacement surgeries, using advanced technology like MAKOplasty.
To set up an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons, call us today at (941) 629-6262, or request an appointment using our secure form.
