Shoulder Labral Repair - Post-Op Instructions
Post Anesthesia Instructions
The medication which was used to put you to sleep will be acting in your body for the next 24 hours, so you might feel a little sleepy. This feeling will slowly wear off. For the first 24 hours, you should NOT:
Drive a car or operate machinery/power tools.
Drink an alcoholic drinks (even beer)
Make any important decisions, sign any important or legal papers.
For your safety, we strongly suggest that a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Gradually resume regular diet as tolerated.
It is advised to start with bland food the day of surgery.
Wound Care
You may remove your dressing in 24 hours and apply water-tight band-aids to the incision sites.
If you have small tape strips (SteriStrips) on your incision sites, please leave those alone.
You may shower 24 hours after surgery.
Apply waterproof band-aids over wounds.
You may apply some dry 4x4 gauze pads (can be purchased at any drug store) over the sites if you want to keep them covered.
Keep the surgical site clean and dry until your follow-up appointment.
It is normal to have some fluid drainage the first day or so, but this should subside within 3 days.
Ice should be used to help control swelling and keep pain to a minimum.
Frozen peas, reusable gel packs, or crushed ice in a large freezer bag are ideal.
If possible, use an ace wrap to hold the ice in place.
Apply ice for approximately 20-30 minutes, remove for 45-60 minutes, and repeat. Ice should be used for 3-7 days or until swelling is gone.
DO NOT APPLY HEAT PACKS.
Activity and Weight Bearing
Plan to rest when you get home, for the remainder of the day.
A semi-reclined position is best after shoulder surgery.
No heavy lifting for 6 weeks.
Keep sling in place 4 weeks.
Do not drive while in sling.
Move arm as tolerated. Movement of the shoulder, elbow and hand are encouraged.
Begin Physical Therapy 2-5 days after surgery.
Medication
Narcotic pain medication can cause constipation.
You may take an over-the-counter stool softener or laxative, if needed.
Increased fluids and eat fiber rich foods
A bowel movement every other day is reasonable.
Do not wait until you are in a significant amount of pain to take pain medication. Oral medications can take up to 1 hour to start relieving pain.
Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medication.
If you are on anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen or Aleve, you may continue. If you are able, you may take these medications in addition to your pain medication to help decrease inflammation and swelling. Ibuprofen 800mg every 8 hours OR Aleve 440mg every 12 hours.
Do NOT take any Tylenol in addition to pain medication.
Medication Refills:
Pain medication can be refilled before 4pm on weekdays, but not available on weekends or holidays. It is best to call the office on a weekday morning to have this addressed.
Call the office
If you have drainage continuing past day 3.
If you have swelling that is unrelieved by ice and elevation.
If you have a fever greater than 101F
If you have unmanageable pain, despite pain medication
If you have redness, swelling, or increased tenderness at the site.
If you have any questions or concerns.