The holiday season is hectic enough without having to navigate it while in the midst of a recovery after shoulder replacement surgery, but the fact of the matter is that many people have their joint replacement procedure performed at the end of the year for insurance reasons. If you’re one of those patients who will be having their shoulder replaced before year’s end, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind as you deal with your recovery during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Below, we share some thoughts on the best way to navigate the holiday season following shoulder replacement surgery.
Handling The Holidays After Shoulder Replacement
Not all of these tips may be adaptable to your life situation, but odds are keeping the following tips in mind can serve to make your life a little easier in some capacity if you’re slated to undergo shoulder replacement surgery before the new year. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Plan For A Low Key Holiday – We’re not saying that you need to turn into Ebenezer Scrooge and be a hermit all holiday season, but know that you’ll be physically limited for a bit, and you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Driving will be off the table for a while and flying can be extremely uncomfortable while your shoulder is stuck in a sling, so consider scaling back the holiday travels and activities a little. Plan to be a little less active this holiday season so that you don’t end up overstressing your recovering shoulder.
- Lean On Online Ordering – Don’t try to navigate a busy mall and carry heavy bags with one arm in a sling. Order your gifts and holiday surprises from online vendors that can ship the goodies right to your door.
- Keep Up With Your PT – The holiday season is usually pretty busy, and we know that it can be easy for some commitments to fall by the wayside, but don’t let that happen with your physical therapy sessions. The first few months after your surgery is when you’ll make the most gains with your recovery, and skipping your PT sessions at this crucial stage can limit your functional fitness. We know it won’t always be easy, but stick to your PT schedule during the busy holiday season.
- Mind Your Lifting Restrictions – You should always keep your activity restrictions in mind no matter the time of year, but that can be a little harder during the holiday season. You may want to pick up your grandkids, extend your arms for a hug or lift and move presents under the tree. Most people are restricted to lifting very small objects, like nothing greater than a cup of coffee, for the first few weeks after your procedure, and these restrictions don’t go away just because it’s the holiday season. Mind your lifting restrictions until you receive clearance from your doctor to take on heavier lifts.
- Prepare For Icy Walking Conditions – A slip and fall on a patch of ice will be painful no matter when it happens, but it can be particularly devastating if the fall compromises the integrity of your shoulder replacement surgery. Be very wary of walking on icy walkways if it can be avoided. You’re not going to have your normal arm movements to assist with balance, so avoid icy spots, wear shoes that provide some extra traction and don’t be afraid to use assistive walking devices to help keep you upright if you have to move around in the elements this holiday season.
- Care For Your Mental Health – The holidays can be hard on your mental health for a number of different reasons, and the stress you are feeling can be amplified if you are physically limited or dealing with discomfort from the shoulder replacement procedure. Be sure to take some time for yourself and for your mental health throughout the holiday season, and it will make sticking to your shoulder replacement recovery plan that much easier.
Keep these tips in mind and trust your procedure to Dr. Holloway and his team, and we’re confident that you’ll be able to navigate the holiday season after a joint replacement procedure. For more information, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Holloway for your shoulder issue, connect with his office today at (865) 410-7887.
