The best recovery journeys begin before surgery, and that’s something we preach to all our shoulder surgery candidates. The more prepared you are for life after surgery, the easier it will be to stick with your rehab plan. Don’t wait until your surgery is complete to prepare for your discharge home.
But what are some of the best ways to prepare for life after shoulder surgery? In today’s blog, we discuss five “must-haves” that you should consider prior to your shoulder procedure.
Must-Haves For Shoulder Surgery Recovery
Each patient and their living situation is unique, so while the following tips are a little general in nature, we implore you to apply them to your specific situation and really consider what you need to give yourself the best chance at making the strongest recovery after shoulder surgery. Here are some things we recommend to each patient.
- Easily Accessible And Wearable Clothes – Getting dressed is one of the first things you’ll do in the morning, and you’ll find that this process is a little more challenging if your arm is stuck in a sling. Set out some clothes before bed or keep some easy-to-wear outfits easily accessible in your bedroom so that you’re not opening and shutting dresser drawers to find specific outfits. Shirts with buttons and pants with elastic waistbands can be easier to slip on compared to over-the-head shirts and buttoned pants that may require a belt. Gather some comfortable and easy-to-wear outfits prior to heading off to the surgical center.
- Food Prep – Even though the procedure isn’t as physically limiting as something that would require you to be non-weight bearing, there’s a good chance you won’t be as physically active in the weeks that follow your shoulder surgery, so it can be easy to consume more calories than you’re burning after your procedure. If you don’t prepare some healthy meals before your surgery, you may default to flash frozen options or delivery meals, which can be high in calories and low in essential nutrients. Cooking may be more challenging after your surgery, so make it a point to prepare some healthy and easy to reheat options prior to your operation.
- Prep Your Bathroom – Look around your bathroom and try to determine where you might have some issues if you’re restricted to one good arm after your surgery. Many people find that pump-style shampoo, conditioners and toothpaste are easier to operate with one arm compared to bottles and tubes, so consider swapping out some toiletries before you head in for surgery. A shower chair or a detachable shower head can also help you remain comfortable and have more control over which areas get wet if you need to avoid getting the incision site wet for a set period of time. Non-slip bath mats and grab rails can also make bathroom time safer when you’re down to one arm after surgery.
- Prehab – This isn’t a physical item, but nonetheless isn’t something you certainly should do prior to your operation. Most doctors will recommend that you pursue pre-operative physical therapy exercises, oftentimes referred to as prehabilitation. Prehab helps to strengthen muscles and supportive shoulder tissues, in turn making the area more functional prior to surgery. Prehab exercises are also helpful because it gets you in the habit of following through with an exercise program before your operation, which will make it easier to continue pursuing a rehabilitation program after your operation. These habit-forming and strengthening exercises can act as a springboard for your recovery after shoulder surgery.
- Clear Pain Management Strategy – Finally, we always talk with patients about the appropriate way to manage pain and discomfort after their procedure. Discomfort is a natural part of the healing process after surgery, but if you aren’t wise in how you attempt to drown out this discomfort and work to overcome it, it can lead to negative outcomes with your surgery and your health. Talk with your doctor about the best way to manage pain after your procedure and ensure you understand how to safely take any prescription medications that will be given to you for home-based pain management. Many patients find that parsing out their prescription into a pill box, journaling their medication schedule and pursuing other pain management strategies like hot pads or cold packs can help them stay in control over any post-op pain. If you have any concerns about post-op pain or your medication regimen, please bring them up to your physician.
Contact a Shoulder Surgeon
A strong recovery after shoulder surgery won’t happen by accident. Be aware of the controllable factors and take some steps prior to your procedure to set yourself up for success after surgery. And of course, if you have questions about any aspect of your procedure or recovery, or you’re looking for a professional consultation about shoulder pain you’re experiencing, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
