Dressing and Wound Care
- It is not uncommon to have a small amount of bloody drainage on the dressing within the first 48 hours after surgery. This typically does not require treatment and should not cause concern unless it is expanding.
- In the shower please cover your bandage with a plastic bag in order to keep it dry. If for some reason your bandage becomes wet please remove the outer layer.
- You may remove your dressing in 3 days, unless instructed otherwise. Please leave the Steri-Strips in place and do not place any antibacterial ointment over the wounds. You may cover with regular band aids if desired. No further dressings are necessary after the first 3 days unless there is persistent drainage.
- You may get the wounds wet after 3 days, but do not scrub the wounds for 2 weeks and do not submerge underwater in a bath tub, hot tub, or swimming pool for at least 3 weeks.
Activities and Exercises
- You will be in a sling with a strap around your waste and a pillow along your side at ALL TIMES for between 4 and 6 weeks depending on the severity of your tear. This will protect the rotator cuff tendon(s) as they heal. Dr. Borque will determine this in the operating room and inform you at your first follow-up visit.
- Physical therapy will start between 2 and 6 weeks after surgery (depending on the severity of your tear) and will personalized for your specific injury. This will be ordered at the first follow-up visit.
- While you can bend your elbow and bring your hand to your mouth, you should not actively lift your arm during this period. You can keep your elbow at the side and type on a computer.
- You can remove the sling and allow your arm to swing like pendulum (pendulum video). You can move your elbow, wrist and fingers.
- You should sleep with the sling on. You can place pillows on the same side of your surgery to avoid rolling onto your operated shoulder. Some patients feel better sleeping propped up or in a reclining chair initially following surgery
- Cold Therapy using either a compression device or ice in a plastic bag is very effective to relieve pain. Day 1-2: as much as possible -Day 3-6: post activity, or for pain, or for comfort (IMPORTANT: USE TOWEL TO PROTECT SKIN AND PAUSE CRYOTHERAPY AT LEAST FOR 20 MIN/HOUR TO PREVENT FROSTBITE).
- Return to work depends on your type of employment.
Precautions
- No active range of motion (AROM) of your shoulder. This means no muscles around the joint should be helping to move or lift your arm
- Maintain arm in sling, remove only for exercise for elbow, wrist and fingers
- No lifting of objects
- No excessive stretching or sudden movements
- No supporting of body weight by hands. Do not use your operated arm to push yourself out of bed or a chair.
Medication and Pain
- Pain is to be expected after any surgical procedure. We prescribed you a narcotic for your post-operative pain. Please follow the directions given on the bottle by the pharmacist.
- Your medications will be sent to the pharmacy by noon the day before your surgery. Please pick up your medications before the day of surgery, to avoid any issues with the pharmacy being able to fill your medications.
- The following prescriptions have been sent electronically: Norco 5/325mg (for pain- take as needed). Zofran 4mg (for nausea or vomiting- take as needed). Colace (for constipation- take as needed). Please ensure you are not allergic to any of the medications prior to filling the prescriptions.
- Please take the medications you were prescribed when you arrive home after surgery. You may safely combine these medications, though you may find that you do not require pain medication beyond the first week after surgery.
- Nausea, constipation, headaches, drowsiness, and itchiness are common side effects of the pain medications. Please use the medication prescribed for nausea or constipation. If the side effects become unbearable, discontinue pain medication use and call our office.
- If you are having difficulty sleeping you may take Benadryl 50mg or Melatonin over the counter.
- Tylenol may be taken for a low-grade fever which is common in the first few days after surgery. As long as your temperature does not exceed 101.1 degrees than you can proceed with post-operative care. Please notify us if your temperature exceeds this.
- Typically, your pain should be managed with the medications given; however, if you have excessive discomfort contact Dr. Borque’s office.
- Pain medications CANNOT be refilled by our office after 4:00pm on Fridays. Please make sure you have enough pain medication to last through the weekend.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery when taking these medications.
Nerve Block
- If you have a nerve block to further control your pain, please refer to the handout that the hospital gave you at discharge with any questions regarding this. You can contact the pain nurse at 281-276-8484 with any questions regarding your block, Monday-Friday 7AM-2PM. After 2PM and on the weekends, please call 281-276-8204.
- Your nerve block will last approximately 48 hours after it is inserted and can be pulled on post-op day #2. If any bleeding occurs when you remove this block please apply pressure until the bleeding has stopped.
Swelling
- Swelling is common after any injury or surgical procedure.
- You may begin elevating your surgical site ABOVE your heart with pillows and use an ice pack, but please use sparingly as to not get your dressing wet.
- If your swelling is still not decreasing with the instructions listed above and you are experiencing severe pain at the site of swelling then please call us immediately.
Diet
- There are no specific restrictions on your diet after surgery, however, it is prudent to start with clear liquids and advance to solid food as you are able.
- Be sure to drink plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol the evening of surgery.
Additional Factors
- PLEASE GO TO EMERGENCY ROOM IF: you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, severe pain that cannot be controlled with the medication given to you, excessive bleeding that cannot be controlled, or inability to urinate.
- Some people do experience a sore throat after surgery along with a minor form of laryngitis, this is most likely due to anesthesia using a tube to help you breathe during surgery. If you do become concerned about your sore throat or feel as though this might be a new sickness please inform your primary care physician.
For any questions or concerns please contact Ashley or Maribel, Dr. Borque’s assistants, at 281-275-0580 or 281-275-0416.