What is shoulder replacement surgery?
In shoulder replacement surgery, a doctor removes the end of the upper arm bone. Often he or she also takes out the end of the shoulder bone. The ends are replaced with plastic or metal pieces.
To do this surgery, the doctor makes a cut about 15 centimetres long on your shoulder. This cut is called an incision. The incision leaves a scar that usually fades with time.
You will probably stay in the hospital for 2 or 3 days after your surgery. Your rehabilitation program (rehab) starts when you are in the hospital. You will do this rehab for about 3 months or longer.
It takes at least 6 months to return to full activity. But if you can avoid certain arm movements like lifting, you may be able to go back to work in as soon as 2 to 3 weeks.
After surgery and rehab, you probably will have much less pain than before. And you should be able to return to your usual activities. But your doctor may advise you not to do activities that put stress on that shoulder, such as weight lifting or tennis.
In the future, make sure to let all health professionals know about your artificial shoulder. You may have to take antibiotics before you have dental work or a medical procedure. This helps reduce the chance that your new shoulder will get infected.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How do you prepare for surgery?
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Be sure to have extra help at home. This is most important if you live alone or care for another person.
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
- Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your surgery.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter H890 in the search box to learn more about "Shoulder Replacement: Before Your Surgery".