How to Prepare for Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Getting prepared before shoulder replacement surgery can make your recovery easier and more comfortable. This document provides some tips and guidelines that will help you prepare for your surgery.

How should I arrange for help?

In the first couple of weeks after surgery, it may be harder to do some of your regular activities. You may get tired easily, and you may have limited movement in your arm. Follow these guidelines to make sure you have all the help you need after your surgery:

• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will tell you how many days you can expect to be in the hospital.
• Cancel all work, caregiving, and volunteer responsibilities for several weeks after your surgery.
• If you live alone, arrange for someone to take care of your home and pets for the first several weeks after surgery.
• Plan to have someone stay with you day and night for the first week. This person should be someone you are comfortable with. You may need this person to help you with your exercises and personal care, such as bathing and using the toilet.
• Arrange for drivers to take you to and from follow-up appointments, the grocery store, and other places you may need to go for at least 2–4 weeks.

How should I prepare my home?

Here are some ways to prepare your home before surgery:

• Pick a recovery spot, but do not plan on recovering in bed. Sitting upright is better for your health.You may want to use a recliner with a small table nearby. Place the items you use most frequently on that table or near your recovery spot. These items may include the TV remote, a cordless phone, your cell phone, a book or laptop computer, and a water glass.
• Remove all clutter from your floors. Also remove any throw rugs.
• Move the items you use most often from your kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom to shelves and drawers that are at countertop height.
• Prepare a few meals to freeze and reheat later.
• Consider adding grab bars in the shower and near the toilet.

How should I prepare my body?

Here are some ways to prepare your body for surgery:

• Have a preoperative exam with your primary health care provider.
  • During the exam, your health care provider will make sure that your body is healthy enough to safely have this surgery.
  • To your exam, take a complete list of all your medicines and supplements, including herbs and vitamins.
  • You may need to have additional tests to ensure your safety.
• Have elective dental care and routine cleanings done before your surgery. Germs from anywhere in your body, including your mouth, can travel to your new joint and infect it. It is important that you do not have any dental work done for at least 3 months after your surgery.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Do not change your diet before surgery unless your health care provider advised you to do that.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes or e-cigarettes. Tobacco and nicotine can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• If your health care provider recommended starting physical therapy before your surgery, make sure to do strength and flexibility exercises as told by your health care provider or physical therapist.

Other preparations

Here are some other things you should do before your surgery:

• Keep all visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. You may have additional exams, X-rays, or other tests.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• To ease concerns about your financial responsibilities, call your insurance company as soon as you decide to have surgery. Ask how much of your surgery and hospital stay will be covered. Also ask about coverage for medical equipment, rehabilitation facilities, and home care.
• The day before your surgery, follow instructions from your health care provider for showering, eating, drinking, and taking medicines. These directions are for your safety.
• Bring a loose fitting button-up shirt to wear home when you leave the hospital. Choose a shirt that will be able to fit around or over your sling.
• Bring pants that have an elastic waist and shoes that you can easily slip on.