General Information
Shoulder arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure performed to diagnose and treat a variety of shoulder pathologies.
- Information on post-operative care is listed below.
- -For specific information on shoulder pathologies commonly treated with arthroscopy, please select a link above.
- The joint is accessed through small incisions in your skin about 1 cm in length
- Number of incisions depends on the type of procedure (usually 2-4)
- Joint is viewed by projecting the camera’s image onto a TV monitor
- Small, specialized instruments are used to repair any damage
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CLICK HERE TO PRINT Shoulder Arthroscopy Post-Operative Care
- Plan to take a few days off from work
- Schedule a follow-up office appointment 1-2 wks after surgery
- For any questions or concerns about your post-operative anticoagulation medication:
- -Please call the BWH Anticoagulation Clinic at (617)-732-8887
- Physical Therapy will be prescribed on a case-by-case basis.
- -If needed, you will be instructed with prescription and instructions
- Do not drive until you speak with your physician
- Swelling and discomfort in the shoulder for up to a week after surgery
- Duration of sling use will vary depending on the procedure
- -Wear it at all times except when changing clothes, bathing or during Physical therapy
- If you have sutures, they are removed within 1 week
- Initially, you may not feel pain
- -once the nerve block wears off, pain will need to be managed with your pain medication prescription
- Lying down may increase discomfort
- -Try sleeping in a recliner, or propped up with multiple pillows in bed
- -A pillow placed behind your elbow may also help
- Icing is most important in the first 72 hours after surgery but continuing can help with pain
- -Apply ice bags or use the cryotherapy device you were given every 1-2 hours for 30 mins
- -If ice is in a plastic bag, put a thin towel or t-shirt on your skin
- Take your pain medication with food. Please call our office (617-732-8138) if you do not tolerate it well
- - common side effects include nausea, dizziness, urinary retention, and constipation
- Do not operate machinery or vehicle while taking pain medications
- Narcotic Refills
- -call during office hours (Mon-Thurs)
- -not routinely refilled after office hours, Fridays or weekends
- -please allow two days for processing
- To view Dr. Martin's , Please CLICK HERE
- Eat a regular diet
- -avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking
- KEEP BANDAGES CLEAN AND DRY. REMOVE THEM AFTER TWO DAYS.
- -cover incisions with band-aids and do not use antibiotic creams
- You may shower 72 hours after surgery
- -keep incisions dry with a dressing for 5-7 days
- DO NOT submerge incisions directly until at least 3 weeks after surgery
- Please call our office (617-732-8138) or the On-Call MD after hours (617-732-6660) if you have
- -incision drainage for more than 48 hours
- -redness
- -calf pain with swelling
- -fever