Pre & Post Care
The Shoulder Practice
Before and After Care

The Operation - Before and After Care

So you are about to have shoulder surgery. Please read the following carefully as it will answer a lot of you questions and hopefully settle some nerves!

The reason you are having the surgery is because there is something mechanically wrong in your shoulder, which causes pain and/or loss of power and function.

The aim of the surgery is to restore the shoulder joint for you to have a pain-free, powerful and fully mobile shoulder. Understandably this is not possible in every case as pathologies differ and the quality of the tissue plays a role. I do however aim to improve the shoulder joint to the best it can be.
 
Before the operation:
  1. If you are not sure about what is going to be done to your shoulder please ask!
  2. It is your duty to get pre-authorization as you have the contract with the medical aid. The secretary will assist you in this.
  3. You will get forms to fill in from the anaesthetist who will look after you during the surgery. This is to screen you and make sure that you will be operated on in the best possible scenario.
  4. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFECTION 10 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SURGERY PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP AS THIS MIGHT LEAD TO A CANCELLATION OF YOUR SURGERY
  5. IF YOU ARE ON ANY BLOOD THINNING PRODUCTS PLEASE LET THE ANAESTHETIST KNOW.
  6. Don’t eat or drink anything from midnight the day before the surgery.
  7. You will be admitted on the day of your surgery and my rooms will give you the exact time and place.
  8. You will most likely get a pre-med to make you relaxed.
  9. You will go to theatre about 45 minutes before your surgery.
  10. In theatre you will be placed on the theatre bed and the anaesthetist will insert an IV-line whereafter you will go to sleep.
 
After the operation:
  1. You will go to the recovery room where it will take about an hour to fully wake up. When it is safe, you will return to the ward. If you had a replacement you would likely be sent to high care for the night to help with pain control.
  2. Shoulder surgery can be painful but it is our job to keep you as pain-free as possible. Please let us know if you have pain.
  3. I will see you after the surgery in the ward to make sure you are comfortable.
  4. The morning after you surgery you will be seen by an occupational therapist who will guide you through the dos and don’ts for the next three weeks, how to get dressed, how to shower etc.
  5. You will also be seen by myself and I will explain the procedure done to you.
  6. A post surgery follow-up appointment will be made for you. This is usually three to four weeks after the surgery unless indicated differently.
  7. You will also be sent for post surgery X-rays if needed.
  8. Your arm will be in a sling until the follow-up appointment unless I indicate differently.
  9. Before you go home you will also receive pain medication to take with you.
 
If you have any questions please feel free to email Christelle@theshoulderpractice.co.za or phone, SMS or WhatsApp 0827999592.