ARTHROSCOPIC BANKART/CAPSULAR
SHIFT RECONSTRUCTION, SLAP REPAIR
OR ELECTROTHERMAL-ASSISTED CAPSULORRHAPHY
Discharge Instructions
Operation:
Your operation was performed by arthroscopic methods. The interior
of your shoulder joint was visualized using a small telescope,
and the diagnosis was made. Appropriate surgery involving the removal
or repair of damaged, torn, degenerative or abnormal tissue was
performed using special micro-instruments. The ligaments and capsule
in the front, and/or back, of your shoulder were tightened, or
reconstructed, using a variety of techniques. These techniques
employ the use of small anchors and suture to reattach cartilage
and ligaments to bone, and to tighten the loose capsular tissue.
Alternatively, the loose capsule may have been tightened, or shrunk,
with an electrothermal device which heats the tissue causing it
to contract. If you had a SLAP lesion involving the cartilage labrum,
it was also repaired using anchors and suture to reattach it to
bone.
Pain:
Upon discharge, you will be given a prescription for pain medication
that can be filled at either the hospital or a local pharmacy.
The pain medication can be taken every 3 to 4 hours as needed.
The medicine will help decrease the level of pain, but it is not
meant to completely eliminate the pain. Some pain is expected.
If you develop itching, skin rash, nausea or vomiting, please discontinue
the medicine and call the office. Additionally, narcotics can cause
constipation if used for an extended period of time. If this occurs,
you should decrease the use of the prescribed medicine, and increase
fluid, roughage and fruit intake in your diet. Please do not use
Aspirin unless you have OK’d it with your surgeon.
The use of ice decreases both swelling and pain. You may apply
ice over the shoulder dressing for two to five days after surgery
unless
otherwise instructed. If you were given a Cryocuff, please wear
it for at least 4 or 5 days. You may then replace it with the
shoulder
sling that was sent home with you.
Dressings:
Your surgery was performed arthroscopically, and therefore you may
notice pink fluid soaking your dressing for the first several hours
after surgery. This is not unusual and should stop soon after you
get home. Your incisions have been closed with suture or skin tape,
covered with gauze pads and held in place with tape or a compressive
wrap. Please remove the dressing in 24 hours, but leave the suture
or skin tape intact—the skin tape will fall off on its own
in 7-10 days. You may cover the incision sites with Bandaids and
reapply the compressive wrap to aid in swelling reduction. Please
note, if there is a lot of water on the bandage, you may change
your dressing at home tonight.
Wounds:
The small incisions may be sore and you may develop bruising in the
area of the surgery as well as down your arm and your chest over
the next several days. This will go away, and no special care is
needed.
Bathing:
It is safe to shower or bathe 72 hours after surgery. You may wash
the incisions with regular soap and water, dry them, and cover
them with new Bandaids. Try not to remove the skin tapes. You should
not soak your shoulder under water for at least one week, and should
avoid hot tubs or pools for two weeks.
Activity:
You should rest, relax and make arrangements to have someone stay
with you for at least 24 hours after discharge. Do not drive any
vehicle or operate mechanical equipment for 24 hours following
your surgery. Even though you
feel normal, your reaction time may be affected by the medication
you have received. Your arm was placed in a sling, or Cryocuff, in
the operating room. It is recommended that you use the sling nearly
full-time for the first month following surgery, unless otherwise
instructed. You may carefully remove the sling to work on elbow,
wrist and hand exercises, as well
as for bathing or showering. You may use your arm for table-top activities
as soon as you are comfortable (usually 1-2 days). You should not
attempt to reach overhead, behind your back, or to your side. Also,
you should not push or pull yourself up with your operative arm,
or lift objects greater than
1-2 lbs. Please use pain as your guide in returning to work and school.
Please note that formal physical therapy is usually delayed for 2-4
weeks following surgery. If more extensive surgery was undertaken,
special instructions will be provided.
Diet:
Drink clear liquids (apple juice, ginger ale, broth, 7-Up, etc.).
Progress to your regular diet as you feel able. Do not drink alcoholic
beverages for at least 24 hours following your surgery.
Precautions:
If you develop a fever (temperature over 101°), unexpected or severe
pain, redness, or swelling, please contact the office for consultation
or examination. A low-grade fever is common after surgery. If your
temperature is elevated, drink plenty of fluids and try regular
Tylenol.
Follow-up:
A post-operative visit with your surgeon or nurse will be made approximately
7-10 days following surgery to check your wounds and discuss your
case. Formal physical therapy is usually delayed for 2-4 weeks
to allow initial tissue healing. Probably the most important thing
to remember about your shoulder surgery is that the post-operative
rehabilitation is as important as the surgery itself. Your surgeon
and therapists will monitor your rehab program closely, and if
you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss
the situation with either of them.
Emergency Calls:
If you have a problem of an emergency nature and are unable to reach
your doctor, call or come to Altru Hospital Emergency Room (phone:
701-780-5280); or your nearest hospital or emergency facility.
Special Instructions:
CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN (OR HIS ALTERNATE) IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees orally or if at all questionable.
- Chills
- Excessive bleeding
- Separation of the incision
- Excessive swelling or tenderness
- Unusual drainage:
pus-like drainage (white, yellow, or greenish in color); any
excessive drainage
from the area; foul odor from the incision or dressing.
- Change in color around the area; excessive redness may indicate
infection
- Change in temperature around the area: unusual
warmth
- Increased pain in operative area
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