Put ice or a cold pack on your shoulder for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
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.
Day 2 Post-Op Shoulder Surgery Recovery: For me, I think Day 3 was the hardest. I was trying my darndest to compartmentalize the pain, but the pain was making me nauseous and my brain and body were getting antsy from laying around all day. I did not eat as much as I probably should have, my stomach was still upset.
DON'T lift anything heavier than a glass of water. DON'T exercise beyond what your orthopedic doctor and therapist allow. Simple walking is very beneficial, along with the strengthening and stretching exercises you are prescribed. DON'T drive or operate dangerous machinery until your doctor gives the approval to do so.
In terms of the period, you will most likely need to sleep in a semi-lying position for six weeks or more, depending on the type of surgery you underwent.
Wearing Your Sling
Slings relieve tension and elevate your arm to the optimal healing position. Many patients wonder if they can take their sling off to sleep. Nearly every doctor will tell you this is not advisable. Wearing a sling is what keeps you from overworking your shoulder or moving it too much while it heals.
Light housework may resume after 6 weeks. More strenuous housework should be avoided until 3 months after your operation. After approximately six weeks you will be given permission to resume light activities of daily living. Always maintain a good posture and avoid hunched or drooped shoulders.
First Week After Surgery
You'll be able to use your elbow, wrist, and hand- but need to rest your shoulder. You can use ice to help with pain, as well as any painkillers as directed by your doctor.
The better you do with your rehab exercises, the sooner you will get your strength and movement back. Depending on your job, you may be able to go back to work as early as 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, as long as you avoid certain arm movements, such as lifting. It takes at least 6 months to return to full activity.
You can walk once the anesthesia has worn off after shoulder surgery. Short walks in the house are usually fine for the first 2 to 3 days. Pain medication may make you less stable at first so have some one near you if you feel unsteady.
Rotator cuff repair is the most painful shoulder surgery(6). You may experience pain in the first postoperative days. Due to lack of movement, the shoulder will be stiff and it will increase your pain even more.
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.
You may remove your arm from the sling to bend and straighten your elbow and to move your fingers several times a day. You may remove the sling to bathe, dress, and perform elbow range of motion several times a day. It is important to wear the sling while sleeping.
You may remove your dressing 48 hours after your surgery to take a shower. You may let soap and water gently wash over your incisions, but do not scrub them. Pat them dry with a towel, then recover each of the incisions with a band-aid.
Post-Operative Period up to 6 weeks
Pain will vary from person to person and depend on the extent of the repair to the shoulder. The frequent application of cold packs to the area will help to reduce the swelling and the pain. The first phase of recovery can potentially last up to 6 weeks after the surgery.
The most common causes of pain after rotator cuff surgery are (1) that the shoulder is still recovering from the surgery itself and (2) the shoulder has gotten stiff due to lack of movement.
For severe, massive tears, a complete recovery can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. Patients can often return to most activities after about 12 weeks after surgery, but participation in vigorous sports may be restricted for four to six months. The goal is to achieve full range of motion and full strength.
If you've recently had shoulder surgery, you are likely aware of the fact that you experience more pain in bed, at night. There are several reasons for this: When we sleep, it's common to bend one or both arms under the pillow, or sleep on our side, or naturally shift to the fetal position.
Monopoly, Scrabble, Uno, and chess are a few good options. There are many online versions of classic games that you can play with friends even when they're not with you. You can also play with experts online and sharpen your skills.
Hormones could be a major factor, says Slawsby. "Nighttime is when the production of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol is at its lowest." New research also has suggested that pain may follow a circadian rhythm like the body's internal 24-clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle.