Many patients oftentimes believe that their risk of developing a post-op infection following a shoulder surgery is out of their control, but that’s not entirely true. Sure, there’s nothing you can do that will guarantee an infection won’t develop, but you have more control in the health of your surgical site than you may realize. There are certain steps you can take and protocols you can follow to reduce your likelihood of developing a post-op infection in your shoulder. We spotlight those controllable factors in today’s blog.
How Patients Can Help Reduce Their Post-Op Shoulder Infection Risk
There are steps you can take before and after your shoulder procedure to help reduce your risk of developing an infection. Here are five controllable factors that affect shoulder infection risk:
- Obesity – Obesity stresses your body in a number of ways, and it can also lead to an increased risk of infection development after surgery. Obesity can impair your body’s immune response capability, and it can also affect circulation to and from the surgical site, both of which can lead to an increased risk of infection. Working to lose a little weight prior to your operation and managing your weight after your procedure can help you lower your infection risk after shoulder surgery.
- Malnutrition – Your body requires a variety of essential vitamins and minerals to function correctly, and that sentiment is especially true when your body is working to recover following a surgical procedure. Crucial nutrients can help the incision site close and ensure tissue recovery proceeds as expected. Proper nutrient intake can help your immune system in the event it needs to fight off foreign invaders.
- Smoking – Smoking isn’t as popular as it was in the seventies and eighties, and that is good news for doctors who want to help their patients make a quick and infectionless recovery after shoulder surgery. Smoking can damage blood vessels and greatly inhibit circulation throughout the body. Your recovering shoulder needs plenty of healthy, oxygenated blood, and if smoking has negatively impacted your circulation, your infection risk skyrockets. It’s never too late to kick the habit, especially if a shoulder procedure may be in your future.
- Poor Bandage Cleaning Habits – You’ll also want to develop a routine for changing your bandages at regular intervals to help reduce your risk of infection. Dirty bandages can lead to bacteria growth that can be reintroduced to your surgical site. However, you risk bringing bacteria into the wound area every time you change your bandages, so make sure that you sterilize your hands and avoid excessive touching of the area. Change your bandages as directed by your physician or any time you notice that they are dirty, and be sure to disinfect your hands and other items that may come in contact with your wound site during the bandage changing process.
- Surgeon Choice – Finally, who you choose to perform your operation plays a role in your infection likelihood after surgery. The vast majority of surgeons are very skilled at what they do, but you’ll want to ensure that you talk with your surgeon so you understand how they work to prevent infections in their operating room. Dr. Holloway has an impeccable track record of preventing infections and achieving optimal surgery results, and we’re confident that you’ll be pleased with your results if you choose him to perform your operation. Don’t just trust your procedure to just any shoulder surgeon, put your faith in an experienced professional like Dr. Holloway.
For more tips on how you can prevent infections before and after shoulder surgery, or to talk to Dr. Holloway to see if he may be the right doctor for your shoulder issues, reach out to his office today at (865) 410-7887.
