Dr. Lo will discuss with you when formal physical therapy will be required. In most cases, formal physical therapy will not begin until after your first follow-up visit. However, Dr. Lo will instruct you on your home exercise program to be performed immediately after surgery. Dr. Ian Lo and his team can coordinate your [...]
Some patients have difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep. It is easiest for many patients to sleep in a reclining chair or propped up with pillows in bed. This positioning seems to relax the shoulder for many patients and can be easier to position the sling. If you sleep on your back, it [...]
Depending on your surgery, Dr. Lo will determine how long you should be protected in your sling. The length of time may be from 3 to 6 weeks. It is unsafe to drive during this time. After discontinuing the use of your sling, it is recommended not to drive a vehicle until your operated [...]
Most shoulders arthroscopies are performed on an outpatient basis. Therefore you will require someone to accompany you to and from surgery. You will not be allowed to leave on your own and must have someone with you the night of surgery. Generally speaking, the first 3-5 days following surgery are the most difficult. During [...]
Avoid soaking the wound (i.e., taking a bath) until the wound is completely healed, which may take up to 3 weeks. You may shower or sponge bath 48-72 hours after surgery. You may take your arm out of the sling when taking a shower and support the arm and its weight using the opposite [...]
You can gently use your operated arm to eat. It is easiest to slip your arm out of the sling and use your hand to feed yourself by bending at the elbow. Keep your elbow at the side and do not reach or do anything away from your body, such as picking up a [...]
The frequency depends on what type of surgery you have had. In general, if you have had a repair such as a rotator cuff repair, labral repair, or instability repair, then the sling is worn for 3 to 6 weeks. During this time, you should wear your sling 100% of the time (including sleeping) [...]
Since shoulder arthroscopy is performed by expanding the joint using fluid, this fluid must drain out of the shoulder after surgery. After shoulder arthroscopy, a bulky dressing will cover the wound to soak up this drainage. It is not uncommon for the dressing to become saturated with fluid. This fluid may be slightly blood-tinged [...]
Shoulder arthroscopy is performed through small 1 cm puncture incisions through the skin. Depending on what procedure is performed, you may have anywhere from 2 to 10 small incisions. Most patients have 3 to 6 small puncture incisions.
Following shoulder arthroscopy, there will be a significant amount of swelling in the shoulder. This swelling is due to the surgery itself and due to the arthroscopy fluid used to expand the joint. It is not uncommon for the swelling and bruising to travel down the arm into the forearm and hand and the [...]
