Schedule surgery with the secretary in Dr.Gill’s office.

 

Within one month before surgery

 

     *  Make an appointment for a preoperative office visit regarding surgery

     *  A history and physical examination will be done

     *  Receive instructions

     *  Complete blood count (CBC) sometimes necessary depending upon age and medical history)

     *  Electrocardiogram (EKG) (sometimes necessary depending upon age and medical history)

 

Within several days before surgery

 

     *  Wash the shoulder and area well

     *  Be careful of the skin to avoid sunburn, poison ivy, etc.

 

The day before surgery

 

     *  Check with Dr. Gill’s office for your time to report to the Surgical Unit        

     *  NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT.  If surgery will be done in the afternoon, you can have clear liquids only up to six hours before surgery but no milk or food.

 

The day of surgery

 

     *   nothing to eat or drink

• Please bring the sling, ice machine, and imaging studies that you may have obtained.

                         

 

ARTHROSCOPIC SHOULDER SURGERY POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

 

GOALS:

 

1. Control pain and swelling

2. Protect the surgical repair

3. Protect wound healing

4. Begin early shoulder motion

 

ACTIVITIES:

 

Immediately After Surgery

 

1. After surgery you will be taken to the recovery room in the Surgical Unit.

2. Apply cold packs to the operated shoulder to reduce pain and swelling.

3. Move your fingers, hand and elbow to increase circulation and prevent stiffness.

4. The novocaine in your shoulder wears off in about 6 hours.  Use your pain medication as prescribed after that.

5. You will receive a prescription for pain medication for when you go home (it will make you constipated if you take it for a long time).

6.  You can be discharged from the hospital as long as there is no problem with pain or nausea.

 

The Next Day After Surgery

 

1. The large dressing can be removed and a small bandage or Band-Aids applied.

2. Remove the sling several times a day to gently move the arm in a pendulum motion:  lean forward and passively swing the arm.

 

At Home

 

1. You can remove the bandages but leave the small pieces of tape (steristrips) in place.

2. You may shower and get the incision wet.  To wash under the operated arm, bend over at the waist and let the arm passively come away from the body.  It is safe to wash under the arm in this position.  This is the same position as the pendulum exercise. Do not submerge the surgical wounds in a bathtub or swimming pool.

3. Apply cold to the shoulder for 20 minutes at a time as needed to reduce pain and swelling.

4. Remove the sling several times a day: move the elbow wrist and hand. Lean over and do pendulum exercises for 3 to 5 minutes every 1 to 2 hours.

5. DO NOT lift your arm at the shoulder using your muscles.  Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you can use your opposite arm to perform passive motion on the surgical side (see rehabilitation instructions).

6. Because of the need for your comfort and the protection of the surgical repair, a sling is usually necessary for 1 to 2 weeks, unless otherwise instructed by the doctor.

 

.OFFICE VISIT:

 

Please arrange to see Dr. Gill in the office 7-10 days after surgery.