Shoulder recovery

This information is targeted at patients in the immediate recovery period after surgery. It covers general instructions until the first follow-up visit usually in the first 2 weeks. The information here is general and not specific to individual operations which have there own specific protocols found on this website or from your surgeon at Queenstown joint clinic.

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Sling instructions

Sling for comfort

This means that you can remove the sling as you feel comfortable.

Generally you should wear it when you are walking around to reduce blood and fluid pooling in the hand.

It will also help other people know not to bump into the affected arm.

You can remove the sling to perform light exercises as instructed; and also to wash and sleep.You should do strenuous movements – simply move enough to prevent getting stiff.

Sling when ambulant only

This means that you should wear your sling whenever you are walking about.

It generally means that the sling should be worn when the arm is not supported.

You can remove the sling in bed or when you are sitting in a chair or table and the arms is supported by an armrest or desk.

The sling can be removed to bath/dress etc.

Remain in sling

This means you should wear the sling almost all of the time.

You may remove it only to perform exercises as instructed by your surgeon and when washing yourself. You need to keep the arm in the sling when sleeping also.
When washing you should let the arm just hang by your side and not attempt to lift it. You can lean over to wash under your arm.

Sling at ALL times

This means that you must wear the sling at all times including sleeping.

You cannot take it off to shower and must sponge bath the arm if necessary.

This means that there is a significant risk of injury if the arm is moved out of sling.

Please discuss with your surgeon if there is any concerns.

Wound care

Leave your surgical dressings intact until your follow-up wound check at 10-14 days post-op. Keep your wound dressings clean and dry. Sometimes you may be given a cloth over-dressing or bandage that may be removed after 2 days; the waterproof under-dressing must be left intact.
The wound underneath is clean and sterile from operating theatre as long as the dressing is intact. If the seal is broken, and especially if the dressing has become wet from bathing – get it redressed by the clinic nurse or your local doctor. Do not wash the wound or bath in seawater – this will increase infection risk.
Some swelling and bruising is common after surgery. Redness and warmth that extends past the edge of the dressing may be a sign of infection and a doctor should be consulted. Please contact Dr Phoon’s office if this is a concern.
In most cases stitches/clips will need to be trimmed or remove at 10-14 days post-op. The wound should be kept dry for at least 2 days after this.
You should not participate in hydrotherapy until the wound is completely clean and dry. This is usually not before 3 weeks.

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Exercise and physiotherapy

This is determined on a case-by-case basis. The ability to exercise depends on the strength of your surgical repair/implants/sutures as well as the extent and condition of your injury.
None-the-less, all patients in slings should still perform hand and wrist exercises as well as neck stretches.
A specific program will be tailored to your needs, if you are unsure please contact Dr Phoon.

contact your surgeon urgently if you have any of the following:

You have increasing pain, swelling or redness.It is normal to have pain and swelling after most surgery especially in the first 2 days.

This should normally be constantly improving and can be treated with rest, ice and elevation.
You temperature is (>38.0ºC), chills, fevers or night sweats.
Ongoing drainage of fluid or blood from you wound after 48 hours.
Chest pain, shortness of breath.
Other unexpected injury or symptoms.

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