Post-Operative Instructions for Shoulder Arthroscopy: Rotator Cuff Repair, ASD, Labral Repair

 

 

General care

• Remove dressing on post-operative day (POD) 1.
• Do not remove butterfly strips (“steri-strips”) from skin.

Showering

• You may shower on POD 1.
• Replace dressing only as needed with gauze dressing or BAND-AIDS.

Sling use – “repair” (rotator cuff, labrum)

• The sling should be on at all times you are in public or when you sleep.
• You may come out of the sling 3x daily to move elbow, wrist and fingers – do not move shoulder if repair was performed.
• You can remove sling for showering, but then put back on afterward.
• Avoid using the (operative side) hand for ADL (activities of daily living).

Sling use – no repair (ASD, debridement, distal clavicle resection)

• You may discontinue using sling as soon as you are comfortable.
• You may begin active range of motion (ROM) as soon as you are comfortable.

Controlling discomfort after surgery

• Cryotherapy or ice.
• Pain medication taken every 3 hours as needed.
• Use of NSAIDs (Advil) in combination with narcotic pain meds.
• Sleep with pillow under operative arm.

Physical therapy

• Your physician will guide your post-operative therapy dependent on your procedure. Please discuss with your physician preoperatively.

Post-operative office visit

• Please make sure you know when your physician would like to see you post-operatively. Your first post-op visit can usually be scheduled at the same time you schedule your operative date.

Driving

• Not allowed while on narcotics or if sling is necessary.