Post Operative Instructions (Shoulder Arthroscopy)
WOUND CARE
Remove the dressing and pain pump on postoperative day 2. Leave steri-strips (thin white strips of tape) alone; allow them to fall off over the next few weeks, if the ends begin to peel then with a pair of scissors cut the ends flush with the skin. Apply fresh, sterile gauze to the incision sites and cover with tape.
The removal of the pain pump must include the plastic tubing that enters the skin, upon removal check to make sure the end of the plastic tube is intact, if it has broken then contact Dr. Yuri Lewicky’s office immediately
Keep wound clean and dry
You may shower on postoperative day 3 so long as you cover the incision sites with a sealed plastic bag or plastic wrap with tape.
Do not bathe or swim until 48 hours after the sutures (stitches) are removed.
Suture removal, if needed, occurs at your first post-op visit (usually 10 – 14 days)
ICING
Apply ice packs wrapped in a towel to the shoulder every 2 hours for 30 minutes, this should be continued for 48 hours or until swelling has resolved.
A Cryocuff (constant cool therapy) may have been applied to your shoulder. It is recommended that you use it fairly consistently for the first 24-48 hours to help diminish the swelling. Thereafter, you may use it on an as needed basis.
SLING
Subacromial Decompression: A sling has been applied to make you more comfortable. You may remove it for showering and range of motion exercises for your elbow, wrist and shoulder. The sling can be discontinued when you are comfortable (usually 4-7 days).
Rotator Cuff Repair: A sling has been applied to stabilize your shoulder and make you more comfortable. You may remove it for showering and range of motion exercises for your hand, wrist and elbow ONLY. You must keep the sling in place at all other times, including sleeping, until instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Labral Repair: A sling with pillow to maintain external rotation of your arm has been applied to stabilize your shoulder repair and make you more comfortable. You may remove it for showering and range of motion exercises for your hand, wrist and elbow ONLY. You must keep it in place at all other times, including sleeping, until instructed otherwise by your doctor.
PAIN CONTROL
A prescription for pain medication should be given to you at your preoperative visit in the clinic. Use the medication as prescribed. Do not drive, drink alcohol, or perform duties that require concentration or manual dexterity while on the medication
Interscalene Block: Your shoulder may have been injected with a numbing medicine which lasts 12 to 24 hours. If so your arm may be temporarily “paralyzed,” and will need to be protected from injury. Avoid pressure to the wrist and elbow by padding these areas with pillows and do not directly rest your elbow on the arm of a chair. Reposition your arm every hour. You may feel tingling and the beginning of discomfort when the block is wearing off. This is the time to take your pain pill. Do not wait until all the numbness has worn off. You may notice your face and eye are droopy on the side of the block. Also, your voice may be hoarse, and you may find it a little difficult to take a deep breath. If you have these symptoms, use care in swallowing until the block wears off.
Local Block:
Your surgical area may have been injected with a numbing medication which may last 2 to 12 hours. While the area is numb, you need to protect it from injury. You may feel tingling and the beginning of discomfort when the block is wearing off. If you have pain, take your pain pill as directed.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT
A follow-up appointment in 10-14 days should have been scheduled for you at your preoperative visit. If not, please call the office at (928) to make an appointment.
If needed, sutures will be removed during your first post-op visit.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
Fingers should be pink. If fingers become blue, black or cold or if numbness persists, call Dr. Yuri Lewicky’s office, if after hours the answering service will direct you to the physician on call, or go to the Emergency Room.
Signs and symptoms to report include persistent fever greater than 100 degrees, wound redness or continued drainage, numbness or tingling for an extended period of time (greater than 24 hours).
If you have any problems, please call our office at (928). During night and weekend times, a physician will be paged to assist you. Please identify yourself, the surgery that you had performed, when it was done and that your Physician is Dr. Yuri Lewicky.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
You should remove your arm from the sling several times a day and gently move your elbow, wrist and hand. Let pain and swelling be your guide to how much you should do. Gentle shoulder pendulum exercises may be performed as tolerated.