Shoulder Surgery – Post-Operative Discharge Instructions | See pdf

General

• Cryocuff and dressings left on for 48 hours after surgery
• 48 hours after surgery you may:
• remove dressing and place clean DRY band-aids over incisions
• shower ... do not scrub over incisions, pat dry and place new band-aids over incisions
• discontinue the Cryocuff, but you may continue it for comfort and swelling as needed

Your sling use and exercises/activity will be determined by the type of procedure that you had done. The items below will be checked off according to the individual patient.

Sling:

[ ] At all times
[ ] As needed for comfort

Exercises:

[ ] None – keep arm in sling
[ ] Pendulums only
[ ] Passive range of motion
[ ] Active range of motion as tolerated
[ ] No limitations on activity

Please make sure your post-op appointment is made for 6-10 days after your surgery!!

If not, please call 212-241-8892 to schedule.

Your shoulder may be painful after surgery. In order to control this pain, see below for medicine that you may take.

• Prescription (given day of surgery):
  • Oxy IR (or Vicodin for those with Oxy IR allergy)
    • 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours as needed for pain
  • Zofran 8 mg – to begin the day after surgery
    • 1 pill every 12 hours as needed for nausea/vomiting

• Over-the- counter:
  • Tylenol Extra Strength (500 mg)
    • 2 pills every 8 hours as needed for pain
    • DO NOT use if you are taking Vicodin (Vicodin has Tylenol in it)
  • Motrin 200 mg (or Ibuprofen)
    • 2-3 pills every 8 hours as needed for pain
  • Colace 100 mg
    • 1 pill every 12 hours as needed for constipation

If you are experiencing any of the following call our office immediately at 212-241-1815.

• Fever greater than 101.5 degrees F
• Chills
• Excessive redness or swelling of incisions
• Yellow (pus) drainage at incision sites

Anesthesia:

• Some anesthesia drugs you may have received can take up to 24 hours to leave your system completely.
• For this reason, you should not ingest any alcoholic beverages, drive a car, operate machinery, or make any important decisions for 24 hours after your surgery or while taking pain medication.

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