Shoulder Arthroscopy PostOp Protocol
Brett Young, M.D., Joe McCormick, M.D., Chris Prato, M.D., Daniel Metz, M.D.
1531 S. Madison Street, Appleton, WI 54915
Initial Care: Ice and pain medication are the keys to initial pain management. You will be given a prescription for Vicodin© or Percocet© tablets. These medications contain Tylenol© and a mild narcotic, and can be used every four hours as needed for pain. DO NOT use additional Tylenol© products. Ibuprofen (Motrin©) can be taken every six hours as a supplement. Maintain your arm in the sling for the first night/day except for those patients undergoing a rotator cuff repair who will stay in the sling until the first postoperative visit.
Dressing Changes: Remove the entire dressing on the second postoperative day. Place band-aids and/or 4x4 gauze pads over the wound(s) and cover with tape. You may clean the surrounding skin with hydrogen peroxide solution prior to replacing the dressing. Keep the wound dry for the first week by taping plastic over the dressing when showering or bathing. The sutures will be removed at the first office visit.
Office Appointment: Your first office appointment following surgery will be arranged by the same day surgery center for approximately 7-10 days postop. Call the Affinity Orthopaedics office at (920) 996-3700 the following day to confirm your appointment.
Physical Therapy: You can begin gentle range-of-motion exercises out of the sling on the day following surgery. Start by flexing and extending the elbow & wrist, as they can become stiff in a sling. Next begin small, circular motions below-shoulder level to maintain a supple shoulder joint. DO NOT attempt to lift anything with the operative extremity. Your formal physical therapy, if needed, will be arranged at your first office visit.
Rotator Cuff Repairs Only: Your full, active shoulder motion will be limited to allow full healing of the repaired rotator cuff tendon, however, you may begin the below-shoulder level exercises and elbow motion as described above. You may find it more comfortable to place a small, thin pillow between your side and the involved arm. A pillow is also useful behind the elbow while sleeping to prop the arm up. You will have a “pain pump” that will deliver pain medication directly to the joint. This pump is designed to provide 48 hours of pain relief and reduce the amount of oral pain medication needed. It should be removed on the second postoperative day by simply sliding the tubing out of the skin, applying a few minutes of direct pressure on the removal site, and then placing a band-aid over the area.
Emergencies: Please call Affinity Orthopaedics at (920) 996-3700. After hours, an Orthopaedic Surgeon is available by having the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital operator page the on-call orthopaedic physician. Please call the office sooner for prolonged numbness or tingling in the hand after the second postoperative day, or for any further questions.
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