Show
Your RecoveryArthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor put a lighted tube with a tiny camera—called an arthroscope, or scope—and surgical tools through small incisions in your shoulder. You will feel tired for several days. Your shoulder will be swollen. And you may notice that your skin is a different colour near the cuts the doctor made (incisions). Your hand and arm may also be swollen. This is normal and will go away in a few days. Depending on the medicine you had during the surgery, your entire arm may feel numb or like you can't move it. This goes away in 12 to 24 hours. You will have sutures (stitches) and a bandage on your shoulder. You may be able to take off the bandage in about 3 days, or when your doctor tells you. Your arm will also be in a sling for at least 1 week and maybe as long as 6 weeks. You may take the sling off when you dress or wash and during rehabilitation (rehab). If the sutures are not the type that dissolve, your doctor will take them out 7 to 10 days after your surgery. You will need rehab. This will probably start 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery and last for 4 to 6 months. You may be able to do easier daily activities in 2 to 3 weeks. Most people who work at desk jobs can go back to work at this time. If you lift, push, or pull at work, you will probably need 3 to 4 months off. Most people can start activities with low risk of shoulder injury in about 3 months. This includes jogging and lifting light weights. If you play sports, then training may also start at this time. Most baseball or softball players can start a program to toss a ball lightly. It may take about 6 months to return to normal throwing. How long it takes depends on how damaged your shoulder was and how well your rehab goes. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible. How can you care for yourself at home?Activity
Diet
Medicines
Incision care
Exercise
Ice
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. When should you call for help?Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
Where can you learn more?Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd Enter G396 in the search box to learn more about "Arthroscopic Surgery for Shoulder Instability: What to Expect at Home". How soon can you drive after arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery?Post-Surgery
In general, you'll want to avoid driving a car for at least six to 12 weeks, or until your doctor has indicated you no longer need to wear a sling. Driving with one arm is unsafe, and the shoulder that underwent surgery shouldn't be moved too far away from the body.
What can you not do after shoulder arthroscopy?You should not do any reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling with your shoulder during the first six weeks after surgery. You should not reach behind your back with the operative arm. You may remove your arm from the sling to bend and straighten your elbow and to move your fingers several times a day.
How long after total shoulder surgery can I drive?Six weeks after surgery, when you regain full shoulder movement, you can probably resume driving. At this time, your surgeon also may allow you to return to work, depending on how much physical activity is involved in your occupation. You will also start to strengthen your shoulder up with physical therapy.
How long after shoulder surgery can I sleep in bed?This is really going to depend on your exact surgery and how quickly you recover in general. However, a good rule of thumb is 4-6 months before you can go back to sleeping however you want.
|