Recovering from shoulder replacement surgery involves several phases, each with unique expectations. Understanding this progression helps prepare for healing and rehabilitation, aiming to regain mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve function. While individual recovery varies by age, health, and surgery type, a structured approach is followed. Successful outcomes depend on adhering to post-operative instructions and committing to physical rehabilitation.
Immediately After Your Surgery
After shoulder replacement surgery, patients are moved to a recovery room for monitoring. A nerve block provides substantial pain relief for 24 to 72 hours, supplemented by prescribed medications like opioids, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen. Patients may also receive intravenous antibiotics to prevent infection.
The operated arm is placed in a sling or immobilizer to protect the new joint and support initial healing. This device is worn continuously, even at night, for several weeks. Bandages cover the incision, and a surgical drain, if present, is usually removed before discharge. Most patients are discharged within one to two days, though some may stay up to three days depending on their recovery progress and medical stability.
Navigating Your Early Recovery at Home
At home, continued pain management is a primary focus, typically involving prescribed oral pain medications. Take these proactively to manage discomfort, rather than waiting for severe pain to develop. Applying ice packs or cold compresses to the shoulder also helps reduce swelling and inflammation. Proper use of the sling is crucial during the initial weeks at home, as directed by the surgeon. The sling supports the joint and protects healing tissues, though it can be loosened briefly for stationary activities like reading.
Incision care involves keeping the surgical wound clean and dry; dressings should be changed as instructed, and the incision should not get wet for 10 to 14 days. Stitches or staples are often removed at the first follow-up appointment, usually one to two weeks post-operation. Finding a comfortable sleeping position can be challenging; many patients find relief by sleeping in a reclining chair or propped up with pillows to keep the arm elevated and supported. During these early weeks, daily activities like dressing, bathing, and cooking will require assistance, and restrictions on lifting, pushing, or pulling are strictly enforced to prevent strain on the healing shoulder.
The Importance of Physical Rehabilitation
Physical rehabilitation is crucial for recovery from shoulder replacement surgery, beginning shortly after the procedure. Within a day or two of surgery, gentle exercises for the hand, wrist, and elbow are introduced to maintain circulation and prevent stiffness. The initial goals of physical therapy are to reduce pain and inflammation, while also initiating gentle, passive range-of-motion exercises where the therapist moves the arm. These early movements, such as pendulum swings, help prevent the shoulder from becoming overly stiff.
As healing progresses, around six to twelve weeks post-surgery, the rehabilitation program gradually introduces active-assisted and then active range-of-motion exercises. This progression focuses on the patient actively moving their arm, often with assistance from a therapist or a device, to regain flexibility and control. Strengthening exercises, initially with resistance bands and later with light weights, typically begin around three months after surgery, allowing tissues to heal. Adherence to the prescribed exercise regimen is crucial for optimizing strength, mobility, and the long-term success of the replacement.
Returning to Activities and Long-Term Outlook
The timeline for returning to activities after shoulder replacement surgery varies widely, but significant improvement is observed over several months. While some light daily activities, such as getting dressed, may be possible within two to three weeks, more demanding tasks take longer. Driving can resume around six to twelve weeks post-surgery, once adequate control of the shoulder is re-established and pain medication no longer impairs reaction time. Light work, particularly sedentary jobs, may be resumed within three weeks, but jobs requiring physical exertion or overhead activities will necessitate a longer recovery period.
Patients can often begin low-impact recreational activities like golf, swimming, or cycling within three to six months, following their surgeon’s and physical therapist’s guidance. High-impact sports or activities involving heavy lifting or repetitive overhead motions may carry a higher risk of complications and might be permanently restricted. While full recovery can take up to a year, many patients experience substantial pain relief and improved function, with implants often lasting ten years or more. Some individuals may experience continued improvements in strength and movement for up to two years after the procedure.
Recognizing When to Seek Medical Attention
While shoulder replacement surgery is generally successful, be aware of signs indicating a complication requiring prompt medical attention. A fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or signs of infection at the surgical site such as increased pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or pus-like drainage, should be reported to your surgeon immediately. These could signal a periprosthetic infection requiring timely intervention.
Other concerning symptoms include sudden or severe pain that does not improve with medication, new or worsening numbness or tingling in the arm or hand, or a sudden change in arm color or temperature. Any significant or unexpected swelling, or a sudden loss of motion in the operated shoulder, also warrants contacting your medical team.