Dr. Charron Postoperative Care Instructions for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

What to Expect:

After surgery, your shoulder may be swollen, painful and stiff. The shoulder will heal with time. After surgery you will be placed into a black sling with an abduction pillow attached. You will remain in this sling for at least 6 weeks. You may remove the sling only while in the shower and let your arm hang by your side. NO LIFTING, PUSHING, PULLING OR OVERHEAD ACTIVITY.

 Dressing/Incision and bathing:

You will have a large dressing covering your surgical sites when you are discharged from the hospital. Keep dressing clean and dry. You may remove this dressing on the fourth day following your surgery and shower. A small amount of bloody drainage is not unusual. You may gently wash with soap and water and pat the area dry. After showering you may leave the area uncovered or cover it with band-aids. Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool until your doctor says it’s OK.

Other Instructions:

Do not drive until your doctor says it’s Ok. Never drive while taking pain medicine.

Open and close your hand often to help blood flow.

Take your temperature daily for 7 days after surgery. Report a fever above 101.4 to your doctor.

Use medication, as needed and as directed.

Use ice pack provided by hospital on your shoulder to reduce swelling for the first 48 hours after surgery. Leave it on for 20 minutes; then take it off for 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.

Make a follow-up for 10-14 days after your surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns please call the Orthopedic Office at 770-834-0873

Created 8/8/2016