Preparing for Shoulder Surgery: 5 Things to Consider If You’re Thinking About Shoulder Surgery

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The right shoulder surgery recovery tips can go a long way in helping you heal quickly. If you’re preparing for shoulder surgery, you probably have some questions and concerns.

The first step is to do some research at home so you can determine if surgery is, in fact, the right choice. From there, you can work with medical professionals to figure out the best possible approach.

If you’re currently experiencing severe shoulder pain regularly, surgery might be on the table. Start by considering these important facts about shoulder surgery recovery so you can make an informed decision.

What to Know When Preparing for Shoulder Surgery:

1. You May Have Other Options

Most shoulder injuries don’t actually require surgery. Before you start looking into shoulder surgery recovery tips, you may want to determine if surgery is necessary. For example, if you just experienced a sports injury, you may be under the assumption that surgery is the next logical step. However, that’s not always the case.

Surgery tends to be a last resort when it comes to shoulder and rotator cuff injuries, but always consult a doctor before making your decision. Depending on the severity of your injury, a doctor may recommend resting and icing your shoulder. They may also prescribe pain medications to alleviate the pain while you heal. In some cases, physical therapy may be necessary.

If these steps aren’t providing adequate relief after a certain amount of time, your doctor may recommend surgery, and you may want to start looking into shoulder surgery recovery tips and planning a stay at a recovery center.

Here are the most common reasons why a doctor may recommend surgery:

• You’re having difficulty moving your shoulder.
• Your shoulder has lost strength.
• It’s been 6 to 12 months, and you’re still not recovering.
• Your rotator cuff tendon is torn.
• You depend on your shoulder(s) for a job or other important activities.

2. There Are Different Types of Shoulder Surgeries

There’s no single, universal type of shoulder surgery. The procedure is going to depend on the type and severity of your injury. To find the most relevant shoulder surgery recovery tips for your situation, it’s important that you speak with your doctor to determine which type of surgery you require and how you should be preparing for shoulder surgery.

Here are some of the most common shoulder surgeries:

Shoulder Replacement: Unless your shoulder has been severely degraded by arthritis, a full shoulder replacement is usually only necessary if there’s some sort of a complex fracture that cannot be otherwise repaired.

SLAP Repair: SLAP stands for “Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior.” This surgery is required if the joint’s labrum is torn in the front and back.

Frozen Shoulder Surgery: A frozen shoulder doesn’t usually require surgery, but in severe cases, it might be necessary. These surgeries usually require a significant amount of physical therapy to fully recover, so you may want to research shoulder surgery recovery tips before going into surgery.

Subacromial Decompression: Impingement Syndrome is when the tendons in your rotator cuff are trapped, compressed, and/or unable to move. Subacromial decompression frees space to allow movement.

Bankart Repair: This is the most common type of surgery used to treat dislocated shoulders.

Rotator Cuff Repairs: Torn rotator cuffs are quite common. Many different surgical methods involve reattaching and/or removing damaged and torn tendons.

AC Joint Repairs: If the AC (acromioclavicular) joint is damaged by arthritis, an injury, or long-term stress (weightlifting is a common cause), the surgeon may need to remove the end of the collarbone to create a wider space for the AC joint.

3. You May Not Qualify

As you seek out shoulder surgery recovery tips, you may be wondering if there are factors that will determine your eligibility. While there are no age or weight limits for a total shoulder replacement, there are some factors that may determine whether you’re eligible for the procedure.

Again, there are multiple types of shoulder surgeries, so it’s important that you speak to your doctor to determine if surgery is right for you and what you need to prepare for shoulder surgery.

Here are some factors that may affect your eligibility:

Infection: If you have systemic infections or if you’re predisposed to infections, you may not qualify for surgery. A skin condition that prevents healing or promotes infection may also disqualify you.

Severe Osteoporosis: If your bones are too brittle to support a prosthesis, surgery may not be possible.

Nicotine Consumption: Smokers are much more at risk to have post-op complications. You may be able to reduce the risk by quitting before the procedure.

4. You Should Ask Your Doctor Some Important Questions

Before you start preparing for shoulder surgery and planning the most important shoulder surgery recovery tips, you should discuss with your doctor to determine the best course of action.

Here are some of the most important questions to ask:

• How urgent is the surgery?
• What are the potential complications?
• How many similar surgeries have you performed?
• How long will recovery take?
• Will the surgery restore full use of my shoulder?
• Will I need part-time or full-time care during recovery?

5. You Will Need Time to Recover

The amount of recovery time you’re going to require depends on the nature and severity of your injury. One of the most crucial shoulder surgery recovery tips is that you must make plans for your rehabilitation before getting the surgery. The initial postoperative care period usually takes up to six weeks. During this time, you’ll need to rest your shoulder and also perform physical therapy exercises as necessary. After 6 to 12 weeks, you should be able to start using your shoulder very lightly. Within 3 to 6 months, you should be able to start strengthening your muscles so you can get back to normal. If you are worried about taking care of yourself during this period, consider hiring a private duty nurse or booking a wellness suite at a recovery retreat where a dedicated staff of nurses can help you with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and wound care.

Reserve a Room at Pearl Recovery and Wellness

Preparing for shoulder surgery can be a challenge, but Pearl Recovery is here to help. The most crucial of all shoulder surgery recovery tips is that poor recovery plans can cause more problems in the future — complications that may require a second surgery (or more).

At Pearl Recovery, our luxurious facilities within the five-star Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel give you a place to relax and enjoy a comfortable, serene environment while you recover. Our team of highly qualified medical professionals can help you feel your best, while our exclusive luxury amenities — such as our hyperbaric chamber treatments and IV therapy — help you recover faster. Book your stay now so you can go into your surgery with confidence, knowing you have the best possible recovery plan waiting for you.