SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY
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.
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 2 to 5 days as needed, unless
other instructions
were provided.
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. You may remove the sling and use your
arm as soon as you are comfortable (usually 1-2 days). Please
use pain as your guide in resuming normal daily activities, returning
to work and school, and driving a car. If a motion is painful,
do not try to work through the pain. If an activity is not painful,
go ahead and use your arm and shoulder as naturally as possible.
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 assistant, will
be made 1 to 3 days following surgery to check your wounds
and discuss your case. Formal physical therapy should begin
3 to 5 days after surgery—this appointment may have been
made at the time of your pre-operative visit. Probably the
most important thing to remember about your shoulder surgery
is that the post-operative rehabilitation is as important as
the surgery itself. For this reason, 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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