Before your operation
In addition to the information you will be given in your personal consultation, please note the following:
- You must tell us if any of the following apply to you: high blood pressure, gastric ulcers or diabetes.
- Please remember to stop taking all aspirin, including ASS 100 and similar, at least 1 week before your operation.
- Arrange for appointments with your physiotherapist for days 5 to 7 after your operation.
- Remember not to eat or drink anything for at least six hours prior to the operation, as shoulder operations can only be performed on an empty stomach ("nil by mouth").
- If you want, you can provide a blank VHS cassette to record your arthroscopic operation.
After your operation
You should be admitted as an inpatient for your shoulder operation or at least be placed under extended post-operative care. Arrange to be collected from hospital at the agreed time, because you will not be allowed to drive yourself.
At home, cool the joint several times a day by applying a dry ice-pack for about 15 minutes at a time. As a general rule, your arm will have been immobilized to your body with a bandage; you can remove the bandage at home in accordance with your particular aftercare instructions.
Medication
For about 2 weeks, you should take 1 x 50 mg tablet of Mephadolor® or Voltaren® 2-3 times a day.
Antithrombotic injections
For a few days, continue to inject Fragmin® or Fraxiparin® into the abdominal skin, as you have been shown by nursing staff.
Change of dressing
Dressings are changed 1-2 times a week at your GP's surgery or in our surgery. You can take showers; have your stitches removed after 12-14 days.
Aftercare
Please keep to the stipulated period of immobilization and limited exercise.
Please make sure you keep the check-up appointments agreed with us or other doctors involved in your treatment; recovery after every shoulder operation is different and requires sensitive and consistent aftercare. Be patient! Even 3-5 weeks after the operation, remaining symptoms are still common, depending on the severity of shoulder degeneration. At regular intervals, we would like to examine you ourselves in our Centre for Orthopaedic Surgery to ensure the best possible recovery process.