{"id":118,"date":"2026-02-05T11:58:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/?page_id=118"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:29:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:29:53","slug":"discharge-instructions-for-shoulder-arthroscopic-surgery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/?page_id=118","title":{"rendered":"Shoulder Arthroscopic"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Discharge Instructions For
Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Below are discharge instructions for shoulder arthroscopic surgery.<\/p>

Remember to re-read these after your surgery<\/span><\/p>

DRESSINGS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Shoulder dressings may be removed 24 hours after surgery for showering.\u00a0 You may cover the stitches with Band-Aids upon removing the larger bandage.\u00a0 It is normal to see bloody drainage on the bandages.<\/p>

SHOWERING<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Showers are acceptable after the bandage has been removed. Do not however, use a bathtub, Jacuzzi or otherwise submerge the shoulder underneath water.\u00a0 After showering,\u00a0gently pat the surgical area dry and re-apply the Band-Aids.<\/p>

SWELLING<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

It is common to experience temporary swelling around the shoulder and arm. This may include black and blue bruising in the chest and lower parts of the arm. To minimize swelling utilize an ice pack and practice moving the elbow, wrist and hand to “pump the swelling” out the arm.<\/p>

ICING<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Safe use of an ice pack contributes to pain relief and reduction in swelling. You can apply ice as often as needed on top of your dressing during the first postoperative day. After your dressing is removed, ice can be applied for 20-minute periods, 3-4 times per day. Please have a barrier between the ice pack and your skin to prevent frostbite.<\/p>

RELIEF OF PAIN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Most patients are prescribed the following medications.\u00a0 These medications may be used together and should be taken as instructed on the pharmacy bottle:<\/p>

Mobic<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013\u00a0 an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) to help relieve pain and swelling (please do not take and notify us if you have a sulfa allergy)<\/p>

Norco or Percocet\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u2013 a narcotic pain medication (hydrocodone or oxycodone) combined with acetaminophen (generic form of Tylenol)<\/p>

Tylenol<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u2013 may be used in place of pain medication (Norco\/Percocet) for mild pain.\u00a0 Please note that the maximum daily dose of Tylenol is 4000 mg.<\/p>

ECASA<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 coated aspirin \u2013 ECASA 325 mg daily for 10 days may decrease the unlikely complication of blood clots (DVT) and pulmonary emboli.\u00a0 Early movement and mobilization may also decrease this risk.\u00a0 If you have a personal or family history of clotting please discuss with our office and your internist as additional medications may be indicated.<\/p>

Do not take strong medication on an empty stomach.\u00a0 Do not drink alcohol or drive while taking a prescribed pain medication.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

DIET<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

The day after surgery, you should drink lots of fluids and eat soft, nutritious foods.\u00a0 An adequate diet is essential for the healing process.<\/p>

NAUSEA & VOMITING<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Although unusual, both can be experienced after anesthesia in surgery.\u00a0 If you have a tendency for this, please discuss it with the anesthesiologist.\u00a0 Otherwise it is usually alleviated with a clear liquid diet.<\/p>

ACTIVITIES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

A sling has been provided to you and should be used for comfort throughout the first week.\u00a0 You may remove the sling several times per day to bend and straighten the elbow as well as perform hand exercises including opening and closing the fist.\u00a0 You will receive further instructions regarding use of the sling at your first postoperative appointment.<\/p>

POSTOPERATIVE OFFICE VISIT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Your first post-operative visit should already be arranged.\u00a0If not, please call our office during regular working hours to schedule your post op visit.<\/p>

DAY OF SURGERY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Patients are typically asked to arrive at the surgery center 1-2 hours prior to surgery in order to complete paperwork, speak with nurses and anesthesiologist, etc.\u00a0 The surgery lasts approximately 1 hour and time in the recovery room usually lasts an additional 1-2 hours.<\/p>

You MUST be picked up by a family member, friend etc who will be allowed to join you in the recovery room once you are awake and comfortable.\u00a0 It is typically helpful to have a friend or family member stay with you at home for the first 24 hours after surgery.<\/p>

EMERGENCY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

Please call 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency.\u00a0 If after hours, please call the office and you will be connected with the doctor on call.<\/p>

WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE DAY OF SURGERY AND POST OPERATIVE RECOVERY AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR YOU.\u00a0 IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR IF PROBLEMS SHOULD DEVELOP, DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShoulder Arthroscopic Surgery<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discharge Instructions For Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery Below are discharge instructions for shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Remember to re-read these after your surgery DRESSINGS Shoulder dressings may be removed 24 hours after surgery for showering.\u00a0 You may cover the stitches with Band-Aids upon removing the larger bandage.\u00a0 It is normal to see bloody drainage on the bandages. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":110,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-118","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=118"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3625,"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/118\/revisions\/3625"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/millsteinorthopedics.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}