23 Oct How Should I Prepare For Shoulder Surgery?
Deciding to undergo a surgical procedure for treatment can be difficult, no matter the injury. Too many people think that once they make that decision, all they need to do next is to show up on the day of the surgery. Here at New York Sports Medicine Institute, we’re here to tell you that is not the case. Dr. Neil Roth and Dr. Nicholas Delaney, our sports medicine experts, warn that you’ll need to play a role in preparing for your surgery to limit any potential complications. To learn more about what this entails, please consult with a member of our team today!.
Common Types Of Surgery
Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint that allows for overhead motion to take place. When this joint is overused or damaged due to blunt force, injuries can quickly occur. Sometimes, the damage is so severe that the only option for treatment is surgery. Our team is well versed in treating injuries such as this, and will help determine if any of the below surgeries are necessary for your recovery:
- Shoulder arthroscopy.
- Rotator cuff surgery.
- Torn labrum surgery.
- Shoulder arthritis treatment.
- Fracture repair.
Keep The Shoulder Immobilized
One way to prepare for shoulder surgery is to keep your shoulder immobilized when possible. This can be done either by using a brace/sling or making a conscious effort to keep your injured shoulder rested while completing activities. One of the main reasons for this is to help limit inflammation before the operation. When you continuously move around your injured shoulder, the tissues inside the joint can quickly become inflamed. Should inflammation become too severe, it can prolong your recovery.
Seek Out Physical Therapy
In a complete 180 from the previously mentioned preparation method, there are times when our team at New York Sports Medicine Institute will refer you to a physical therapist before your surgery. Physical therapy is an activity-based form of treatment that utilizes stretches and strengthening exercises to aid in the healing process. Due to shoulder surgery’s invasive nature, the area must be as healthy as possible before undergoing a procedure. By completing a physical therapy regimen, it will likely help improve your recovery time following the procedure.
Lifestyle Changes
Making a few lifestyle changes will also help you prepare for your upcoming operation. Our team highly recommends getting ample sleep, eating a healthy diet of unprocessed foods, avoiding alcohol or tobacco, and following all physician-directed recommendations in order to promote optimal healing.
Get Your Home Ready
One final thing our team would like to call out is to make sure that your home is adequately prepared for the post-surgery lifestyle. Depending on the operation, it can take weeks or even months to make a full recovery and return to their previous levels out of shoulder output. To make the healing process a bit easier, we recommend the below:
- Make enough meals for 1- 2 weeks following your surgery and freeze them so you won’t have to cook later.
- Practice performing everyday tasks with one arm before the surgery, so you know how to complete them while you’re still healing.
- Consider installing grab bars in your shower to help maintain balance.
- Have plenty of ice on hand to combat the swelling and pain.
- Sleep in a reclining chair for the first few weeks after surgery, as beds can be uncomfortable for some patients.
Contact Our Team
Anytime you undergo an invasive operation, it’s essential to work with a team you can trust. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, we’ll arm you with all the information necessary to help you make a full recovery following surgery. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Roth or Dr. Delaney, please do not hesitate to contact our team today.