SHOULDER/ROTATOR CUFF SCOPES POST-OP INFO

WOUND CARE

• Maintain your operative dressing until 2nd post-operative day, loosen bandage if swelling of the hand occurs.
• Remove surgical dressing on the 2nd post-operative day – if minimal drainage is present, apply band-aids or a clean dressing over incisions and change daily. If a biceps tenodesis was performed this incision should remain dry and covered for 7 days.
• To avoid infection, keep surgical incisions clean and dry – you may shower by placing a plastic covering over the surgical site beginning the day after surgery.
• You can get your wound site wet in the shower on the 3rd post-operative day.
• If a biceps tenodesis was performed, your wound site can get wet on the 7th post-op date.
• NO immersion in a bath until given approval by our office.

MEDICATIONS

• Local anesthetics are injected into the wound and shoulder joint at the time of surgery. This will wear off within 8-12 hours and it is not uncommon for patients to encounter more pain on the first or second day after surgery when swelling peaks.
• Most patients will require some narcotic pain medication for a short period of time – this can be taken as per directions on the bottle.
• Common side effects of the pain medication are nausea, drowsiness, and constipation. To decrease the side effects, take the medication with food. If constipation occurs, consider taking an over the counter laxative.
• Do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking the narcotic medication or while in sling.
• If you are having pain that is not being controlled by the pain medication prescribed, you may take an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen in between doses of pain medication.
• For 2 weeks following surgery take one aspirin daily to lower the risk of developing a blood clot after surgery. Please contact the office should severe distal arm pain occurs, or significant swelling of the forearm and/or hand occur.

ACTIVITY

• You are to wear the sling placed at surgery for comfort described by Dr. Siebuhr. This may be removed when comfortable. No lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup for 4 weeks.
• Do not engage in activities which increase pain/swelling.
• Avoid long periods of sitting or long distance traveling for 2 weeks.
• NO driving until instructed otherwise by physician, it is illegal to drive in a sling.
• May return to sedentary work ONLY or school 3-4 days after surgery, if pain is tolerable.

ICE THERAPY

• Icing is very important in the initial post-operative period and should begin immediately after surgery.
• Use icing machine continuously or ice packs (if machine not prescribed) for 45 minutes every 2 hours daily until your first post-operative visit.

EXERCISE

• Begin exercises (pendulums and active bicep flexion without resistance) 24 hours after surgery unless otherwise instructed.
• While maintaining your elbow by the side, begin elbow, hand, and wrist range of motion exercises immediately.
• Formal physical therapy (PT) typically begins after you are seen at your first post-operative appointment 2 weeks after surgery. A prescription and protocol will be provided at your first post-op visit.

EMERGENCIES**

• Contact the office if any of the following are present:
• Painful swelling or numbness (note that some swelling and numbness is normal)
• Unrelenting pain
• Fever (over 101° F) or chills
• Redness around incisions
• Color change in distal arm and/or hand
• Continuous drainage or bleeding from incision (a small amount of drainage is expected)
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive nausea/vomiting
• Calf pain
• If you have an emergency that requires immediate attention proceed to the nearest emergency room.

FOLLOW-UP CARE/QUESTIONS

• If you do not already have a post-operative appointment scheduled, please contact our office at 352-456-0220 to schedule.
• Typically, the first post-operative appointment following surgery is 10-14 days following surgery.

COLLAR BONE FRACTURE AKA CLAVICLE POST-OP INFO

WOUND CARE

• Maintain your operative dressing, loosen bandage if swelling of the hand occurs
• It is normal for the shoulder to bleed and swell following surgery. If blood soaks through the bandage, do not become alarmed, reinforce with additional dressing
• Remove surgical dressing on the 7th post-operative day – if minimal drainage is present, apply band-aids or a clean dressing over incisions and change daily.
• To avoid infection, keep surgical incisions clean and dry – you may shower by placing a plastic covering over the surgical site beginning the day after surgery.
• You can get your wound wet in the shower on the 7th post-operative day. NO immersion in a bath until given approval by our office.

MEDICATIONS

• Local anesthetics are injected into the wound and shoulder joint at the time of surgery. This will wear off within 8-12 hours and it is not uncommon for patients to encounter more pain on the first or second day after surgery when swelling peaks.
• Most patients will require some narcotic pain medication for a short period of time – this can be taken as per directions on the bottle.
• Common side effects of the pain medication are nausea, drowsiness, and constipation. To decrease the side effects take the medication with food. If constipation occurs, consider taking an over the counter laxative.
• Do not drive a car or operate machinery while taking the narcotic medication or while in sling
• If you are having pain that is not being controlled by the pain medication prescribed, you may take an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen in between doses of pain medication.
• For 2 weeks following surgery take one aspirin daily to lower the risk of developing a blood clot after surgery. Please contact the office should severe distal arm pain occur or significant swelling of the distal arm and/or hand occur.

ACTIVITY

• When sleeping or resting, inclined positions (ie: reclining chair) and a pillow under the forearm for support may provide better comfort
• Do not engage in activities which increase pain/swelling. Unless otherwise instructed the arm should remain in the sling at all times.
• Avoid long periods of sitting or long distance traveling for 2 weeks.
• NO driving until instructed otherwise by physician, it is illegal to drive in a sling
• May return to sedentary work ONLY or school 3-4 days after surgery, if pain is tolerable
• Xrays will be taken at your post op appointments to determine full sling immobilization period
• Only remove sling for personal hygiene, dressing, and home exercises. ICE THERAPY
• Use ice packs (if machine not prescribed) for 45 minutes every 2 hours daily until your first post-operative visit. Care should be taken with icing to avoid frostbite to the skin.

EXERCISE

• Begin exercises 24 hours after surgery unless otherwise instructed.
• While maintaining your elbow by the side, begin elbow, hand, and wrist range of motion immediately.
• Formal physical therapy (PT) typically begins after you are seen at your first post-operative appointment 2 weeks after surgery. An order and protocol will be provided at your first post-op visit.

EMERGENCIES**

• Contact the office if any of the following are present:
• Painful swelling or numbness (note that some swelling and numbness is normal)
• Unrelenting pain · Fever (over 101° – it is normal to have a low grade fever for the first day or two following surgery) or chills
• Redness around incisions · Color change in distal arm and/or hand
• Continuous drainage or bleeding from incision (a small amount of drainage is expected)
• Difficulty breathing or Calf pain
• Excessive nausea/vomiting
• If you have an emergency that requires immediate attention proceed to the nearest emergency room.

FOLLOW-UP CARE/QUESTIONS

• If you do not already have a post-operative appointment scheduled, please contact the office at 352-456-0220 to schedule.
• Typically the first post-operative appointment following surgery is 10-14 days following surgery
• If you have any further questions please contact the office directly at 352-456-0220