Shoulder replacement surgery can help you live a more active, pain-free life. But it’s also common to worry about the surgery and wonder what recovery will be like.
“Anxiety is a totally normal and appropriate response,” says James M. Ryan, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine with Atlantic Health. “It shows you’re thinking a lot about your health and you’re thinking about your options. I encourage asking questions.”
Here are common questions patients have before shoulder replacement surgery, along with answers to help you recover safely and easily, so you can get back to the things you love more quickly.
What is shoulder replacement surgery?
During shoulder replacement surgery (also called arthroplasty), an orthopedic surgeon replaces damaged parts of the shoulder with metal or plastic implants. Different kinds of shoulder replacement surgery include:
- Anatomic shoulder replacement surgery: Both the shoulder’s ball and socket are replaced.
- Partial shoulder replacement surgery: Only the shoulder’s ball or socket is replaced.
- Reverse shoulder replacement surgery: Both the shoulder’s ball and socket are replaced, and their position is switched.
When should I have shoulder replacement surgery?
You should consider shoulder replacement surgery if you’re experiencing shoulder pain after trying resting, physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and injections.
“You try all the non-operative treatments first. But at a certain point, the pain may still be there, and you’re not able to do activities you like to be doing, including low-impact athletic activities, cooking or cleaning — or you may have difficulty sleeping,” Dr. Ryan says.
How should I prepare for shoulder surgery at home?
You can do several things at home to prepare for shoulder surgery at home and make recovery easier.
If you smoke or vape, stop.
Quitting smoking four to six weeks before shoulder replacement surgery can greatly reduce the risk of wound complications. You are also less likely to have heart and lung problems, blood clots and problems with anesthesia.
Be mindful of what you eat.
Dr. Ryan suggests eating lots of protein, and iron- and vitamin-rich foods, which can help with recovery.
Prep your house.
“Clear out any clutter around the busiest pathways in the house, like getting to the bathroom, the bedroom and the main room,” Dr. Ryan says. “One of the most important things is not falling. Make sure your house is well-lit. Use nightlights. Try to plan beforehand to be set up for success afterward.”
To avoid reaching for things after shoulder replacement surgery, make sure you have cups, plates, utensils, medications, clothes, towels and toiletries within arm’s reach.
Ask for help.
“If you don’t have any help at home, try to arrange for help with things like cleaning, laundry or cooking,” Dr. Ryan says. “Try to meal prep for yourself prior to surgery so that you’re not cooking or cutting vigorously.”
Shoulder replacement surgery recovery FAQ
Depending on your medical history and your surgeon’s preference, you may go home the day of your surgery, or you may stay in the hospital for a couple of days. You will have a dressing over your incision that you will need to keep dry. Your arm will also be in a sling.
Here, we answer five common questions about shoulder replacement recovery at home.
How can I control the pain after shoulder replacement surgery?
To help control the pain after shoulder replacement surgery, you’ll likely be given a nerve block in the hospital, which will keep your arm numb for a day or two. You’ll also take medication.
“Depending on your medical problems, surgeon preference and your history, these could vary,” Dr. Ryan says. “You’ll likely alternate between Tylenol and anti-inflammatory medicine, like Ibuprofen. Many surgeons also will use narcotic opioid pain medicines. It’s important to understand the risks associated with those. Try to use them if needed, but don’t use more than directed and slowly wean off them. You may also go home with a stool softener, because anesthesia and opioids can cause constipation. Anesthesia and opioids can also cause nausea, so you may go home with an anti-nausea medication as well.”
Ice can also help reduce pain and swelling after surgery.
What does incision care after shoulder surgery look like?
Your surgeon may ask you to keep your bandage on until you see them for a skin check, which typically occurs two weeks after your surgery.
“Keep the area clean and dry, and definitely don’t submerge it in bathtubs, pools or hot tubs for as long as possible afterward, until the skin is completely healed,” Dr. Ryan says.
What are the best foods to eat after shoulder surgery?
It’s important to continue eating a diet high in protein (chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef), iron (eggs, spinach, sweet potatoes, beans), and vitamins and minerals (leafy greens, nuts and seeds, black beans and chickpeas, and berries), Dr. Ryan says.
How active can I be after shoulder replacement surgery?
“For at least six weeks, you’re going to be in a sling,” Dr. Ryans says. “And then you’re going to be working on motion and strength after that. For the most part, you’re going to be able to return to whatever you want to do around the six-month mark.”
Physical therapy, which is mandatory with shoulder replacement surgery, will likely start soon after surgery. With a physical therapist, you will work on a structured range of motion — movement that protects the soft tissue repairs that took place during surgery. Dr. Ryan recommends against any unsupervised motion for about six weeks, unless directed by your physician.
“It’s important to avoid any sort of strenuous activity unless you’re with your physical therapist,” Dr. Ryan says.
But it’s important to be as mobile as possible.
“Walk around the house or go outside for walks if you’re in a safe environment,” Dr. Ryan says. “One of the risks of surgery is a blood clot. If you’re not moving, that chance increases. Some patients may be put on a blood thinner. Others may not require a blood thinner but may benefit from making sure that they are not sedentary while recovering. You want to be up and moving around.”
When should I call my doctor after shoulder replacement surgery?
Dr. Ryan says it’s important to call a doctor after shoulder replacement surgery if you experience:
- A fever higher than 100.4
- An injury
- Red and swollen arms or legs, which could be a sign of a blood clot
- Redness, discharge or a foul smell from the incision site
“It’s important to understand what the surgery entails and what your recovery’s going to be,” Dr. Ryan says. “Have a post-op plan in place for when you get home, set up your home properly and schedule your postoperative therapy ahead of time.”
Shoulder replacement surgery recovery can take time, but the result is well worth it.
“We can improve people’s quality of life, keep them active and help them do the things that they want to do,” Dr. Ryan says. “If there’s something that can be done to get somebody back to doing what brings them joy, then that brings me joy.”
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