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    2019
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Preparing for a Shoulder Arthroscopy

Preparing for a Shoulder Arthroscopy

Before delving deep into the preparative part of the shoulder arthroscopy surgery, let’s have a quick look into what shoulder arthroscopy is.  Shoulder arthroscopy is an operative procedure to look into or repair tissues in and around your shoulder joint.   The operative surgeon will make a small cut (incision) in your shoulder and insert a thin wire containing camera at one end, called an arthroscope.  This allows the surgeon to have a closer view at the muscles, tissues, ligaments and bones of the shoulder joint.  If the joint needs a repair, the doctor will insert surgical instruments through other small cuts.

The primary advantage of a shoulder arthroscopy is it requires only a small incision compared to an open procedure, so it usually involves a faster recovery and minimizes complications.  However, it should be understood that not all shoulder troubles can be arthroscopically repaired.  Your surgeon will recommend the best method to repair your shoulder.

How do I prepare for a shoulder arthroscopy?

Preparing mentally and physically for shoulder arthroscopy is an important step towards a successful result.  Understanding the process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.  Being in the best physical condition you can be prior to surgery will lower the chance of complications and speed up recovery process.

 

Actually preparation for the procedure begins days and weeks prior to the procedure and several things may be necessary to prepare.  In the first place, prepare your household so you won’t find it difficult to carry your activities of daily living with the arm and hand on the non-operated side.  Obtain preoperative labs, x-rays EKGs and other required medical clearance advised by your surgeon or the referring physician.  After reviewing your medication list (if any), you may be advised to cut down or stop certain medications such as aspirin or NSAIDs to prevent excessive bleeding during surgery and postoperative period.  There are exceptions and exclusions to this guideline, so ask your doctor in detail if you have any doubts regarding the kind of medications that you can take before the procedure and when you can resume taking them post surgery if a cut down or temporary stoppage is advised.

 

If you are a smoker, you must stop it before the procedure as nicotine impairs the postoperative healing and increases risk of various complications of the surgical process and anesthesia.  Herbal supplements should be discontinued about ten days prior to surgery as there are chances of cross contamination with anesthesia medications.  Ask the doctor in advance if you have to do any shoulder exercises before and after the procedure.  You should finish any dental work that may be under way to prevent germs in your mouth from entering the bloodstream and infecting the joint.

 

Make sure you do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery unless advised otherwise.  However, you can take the prescribed medications with sips of water.  If you are diabetic, ask your surgeon if you can take insulin or hypoglycemic meds on the day of surgery.  It is okay to take a shower the previous day or the morning of the surgery. The whole shoulder area needs to be washed, including the arm pit, up the neck to the jaw and down the arm to the elbow. Make sure you always rinse it off thoroughly but avoid harsh scrubbing.  However, you should not wet your incisions 72 hours following surgery.

 

In order to avoid pulling a shirt over your head, it is advisable to bring a large shirt that buttons up the front to wear home.  Keep some loose fitting clothes handy as getting in and out of clothing would not put a strain of you post surgery.  If you are a person wearing contact lenses, leave them at home and wear glasses.  Jewelry and other valuables are not permitted to the operating room and it is best to leave them at home.   Arrange someone to drive you back home as you won’t be able to drive for some time post the procedure.

 

Notify your doctor if you come down with a fever, cold or any other illness in the week before the surgery.  When you arrive at the hospital in the morning of your day of operation, you will change into a hospital gown, following which a nursing staff will mark the shoulder to be operated on.  The choice of anesthesia is the prerogative of the anesthetist and a suitable type will be chosen by the anesthetist in consultation with your surgeon depending on the intensity of your condition.  If it is regional anesthesia, your shoulder is numbed and you don’t feel anything near your shoulder.  As for general anesthesia, it puts you to sleep and prevents feeling in your whole body.

 

As they say forewarned is forearmed, take adequate steps and precautions in the run up to the arthroscopic surgery to make post operative recovery smooth and speedy.

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