Shoulder surgery can help you get back to doing all the activities you love without pain, but that process won’t happen overnight. For many patients, their shoulder and arm will be immobilized for weeks until they are cleared for physical therapy, and from there they may still be months away from normal shoulder movement. During this time, you may find it difficult to perform certain tasks while you’re limited to one arm, but there are some assistive devices out there that can make your life a little easier. In today’s blog, we share five assistive devices that you may find helpful after a shoulder operation.
Helpful Recovery Devices After Shoulder Surgery
Your surgeon can provide you with a list of some items that might make life a little easier after your shoulder procedure, but here’s a look at five devices that many people find helpful.
- Grabbers/Reachers – A grabbing device can make it easier for you to grab items off the floor with ease. Because you won’t be able to brace yourself with your surgically repaired shoulder while it’s in a sling, bending over to pick up an object can be risky in the event that you lose your balance. A grabber can help you pick up clothes, phone chargers or tripping hazards without needing to bend to the floor.
- Detachable Shower Head – Odds are you’re going to be told to keep your incision sites dry for an extended period while you recover, but you’re still going to need to shower. A detachable shower head can make it easier for you to control the water from your shower so that you can avoid getting certain areas wet. Life will be easier in the shower if you have a detachable shower head.
- Shower Chair – Some people also find it helpful to have a shower chair so that they can rest a bit while they are showering. If you have balance problems or your medications sometimes make you dizzy or lightheaded, it may be wise to invest in a shower chair so that you don’t end up taking a painful spill in the shower. This pairs well with the detachable shower head!
- A New Pillow – A new pillow or a specifically designed pillow wedge can help to provide additional support and comfort to your shoulder depending on your position. You can prop your shoulder onto the pillow while you’re seated on the couch for extra support, or you can put it under your arm while you’re trying to get comfortable in bed at night. Even though your arm is supported in a sling, it can get tiring holding it in the same position, so a pillow can help provide some additional support.
- Bathroom Pumps – When you’re not in the shower, you may find that your bathroom routine is a little more difficult as a result of your shoulder surgery. Putting toothpaste on your toothbrush or washing your hands with soap may become much more complex with only one good arm. Instead of sticking with a bar of soap or trying to squeeze some toothpaste out of a tube with one arm, let pump options be your friend. Pump soaps and pump/automatic toothpaste dispensers can really simplify your bathroom routine while you’re recovering from shoulder surgery.
For more tips on how you can make life a little easier after your shoulder operation, or to talk to a specialist about the discomfort you’re experiencing in your shoulder, give Dr. Holloway and his team a call today at (865) 410-7887.
