Your Recovery
Shoulder replacement surgery replaces the worn parts of your shoulder joint. When you leave the hospital, your arm will be in a sling. It will be helpful if there is someone to help you at home for the next few weeks or until you have more energy and can move around better.
You will go home with a bandage and stitches, staples, skin glue, or tape strips. You can remove the bandage when your doctor tells you to. If you have staples, your doctor will remove them in 10 to 21 days. If you have stitches that are not the type that dissolve, your doctor will remove them in 10 to 14 days. Glue or tape strips will fall off on their own over time. You may still have some mild pain, and the area may be swollen for several months after surgery. Your doctor will give you medicine for the pain.
A physiotherapist will show you what exercises to do at home.
You will continue the rehabilitation program (rehab) you started in the hospital. The better you do with your rehab exercises, the sooner you will get your strength and movement back. Depending on your job, you may be able to go back to work as early as 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, as long as you avoid certain arm movements, such as lifting. It takes at least 6 months to return to full activity.
In the future, make sure to let all health professionals know about your artificial shoulder so they will know how to care for you.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.
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 advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) 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.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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