Shoulder Arthroscopy Post Surgery Information

Review:

You should be off all medications and supplements that may thin your blood. These should be stopped 10-14 days prior to surgery.
This includes Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Mobic -All herbal supplements -All vitamin E supplements or multivitamins that contain vitamin E
You should be taking 1000mg of Vitamin C every day for 2 weeks prior to surgery and for a minimum of 2 weeks after surgery.
You should be conscious of the condition of your skin in and around the operative site. If you have scabs and/or pustules, let us know right away. These may predispose you toward infection if left untreated. They may also necessitate cancelling your surgery.
You should inform us all of your allergies, medications, and medical problems.
You will be given a surgical packet with information and forms for you to fill out ahead of time and bring with you to the surgery center the day of surgery. Please make sure all of the papers make it back into the packet.
Your surgery time and arrival time will be confirmed.
You will be given a prescription for Doxycycline (an antibiotic). This should be taken twice a day the day before your surgery and then once the morning of surgery.

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery
The surgery center will let you know which of your prescription medications you should take in the morning with a small sip of water. Nothing else!
Bring surgical packet with completed forms to the surgery center
Someone must drive you to and from the surgery center
You will meet with the anesthesiologist who will discuss anesthesia (typically general) with you. The majority of shoulder patients will receive a nerve block to assist with pain control. You will wake up comfortable with minimal pain with a nerve block.
Surgery typically takes 1.5 hrs and then you will be in the recovery area before being released.
You will be in a sling when you wake up. Instructions will be given as to how long you will need to stay in this.
Specific post-op instructions and pain medication prescriptions will be given to you before your departure home.

Plan to take it easy the first few days after surgery
Start with a bland diet before resuming normal eating habits
Activity as tolerated unless told otherwise
You may shower but must keep incision sites dry
Ice, elevation, NSAIDS as needed
Watch narrated video from surgery. It’s not gross and will really help you to understand what is wrong and right with your shoulder.
May resume prescription medications and supplements

Discuss surgery findings/video
Physical Therapy may be prescribed
You may get incision sites wet in the shower but no pool, spa, bathtub, or ocean until sites are completely healed (typically 10-14 days)
Return to normal activities usually takes from a few weeks to a few months depending upon your surgical findings. Start slow and gradually increase your activity as tolerated.