Shoulder Surgery Recovery Tips

A shoulder surgery is a serious medical operation. While the care you take leading up to the operation is essential, the level of care you take during the recovery period is equally important. If you plan to have a shoulder operation in the near future, learn what you can do to make your recovery smoother and more effective.

Practice Proper Posture

Ensure you practice good posture practices while you recover. Good posture is vital whether you're sitting in a chair or resting in your bed. Posture is important because it helps ensure your shoulder has the right amount of support. If you're slumped over, your shoulder might not have adequate support. 

As a result, you could strain the muscles around the operation area which could delay your recovery, and in some cases, make your condition worse. Ideally, good posture involves sitting with your back straight and firmly rested against a support structure, such as the back of a chair. You should also place a pillow or other object under your elbow to keep your shoulder straight. 

Follow Medication Guidelines

If your surgeon provides you with a prescription for pain after your procedure, make sure you follow the directions. Typically, prescription medications will have a guideline by which you should take them. The instructions are important because they allow you to stay in front of the pain. 

If you don't take the medication as suggested, such as every four hours, there is a good chance you will already be in intense pain by the time you take the medication, which means it will take longer for the medicine to work. Your surgeon will be able to tell you the specific guidelines for your medication.

Move Around

After shoulder surgery, it's natural not to want to move your shoulder. However, movement is often a good idea for recovery. Typically, the surgeon will provide you with a list of recommended exercises. 

These exercises are great because they keep blood flowing around the area and they offer you a chance to improve your circulation. Both of these actions can speed up recovery and help keep your pain levels at a more manageable level. The less you move around, the longer the recovery and often the more painful the recovery process. 

Make sure you speak to your surgeon about your specific recovery needs. Based on the type of operation you had performed and your health history, the surgeon will provide you with specific care instructions. For more information, check out a website like christophercschmidtmd.com.