How bad will the pain be after surgery and what type of pain meds will they be prescribing?
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How bad will the pain be after surgery and what type of pain meds will they be prescribing?
Tags: Have·Need·Pain·Recovery·Says·Shoulder·Slap·surgery·Tear·What
Dr. Mark Miller states:
“SLAP tears are repaired arthroscopically. The arthroscope is a fiber optic instrument (narrower than a pen) which is put into the joint through small incisions. A camera is attached to the arthroscope and the image is viewed on a TV monitor. The arthroscope allows me to fully evaluate the entire shoulder joint, including the ligaments, the labrum, the biceps tendon, the rotator cuff, and the cartilage surface. Small instruments ranging from 3-5 millimeters in size are inserted through additional incisions so that I can feel the joint structures for any damage, diagnose the injury, and then repair, reconstruct, or remove the damaged tissue. With SLAP tears, the damaged labrum and biceps tendon are identified and then repaired back to the socket. This usually performed by using suture anchors to sew the labrum back in place. Occasionally, the biceps tendon is too damaged to repair. In this case, the tendon is cut and reattached in the upper arm (biceps tenodesis). This requires a small 2 inch incision.”
After the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room to be monitored. Once the effects of anesthesia have worn off and your pain is under control, you will be given your post-operative instructions and a prescription for pain medication. The process of getting checked in, prepared for surgery, undergoing the operation, and recovering from the anesthesia takes the majority of the day.
While complications are not common, all surgery has associated risk. Possible complications include stiffness of the shoulder after surgery or recurrent pain. The use of arthroscopic techniques and the use of a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine attempts to limit these complications. Other complications include an infection, bleeding, nerve damage, or problems with the anesthesia.
Almost all patients are able to have surgery and go home the same day. Occasionally, patients will be admitted for an overnight stay.
Prior to your discharge, you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your shoulder. In general you can expect the following:
Diet:
Resume your regular diet as soon as tolerated. It is best to start with clear liquids before advancing to solid food.
Medication:
You will be given a prescription for pain medication before you go home.
Bandage:
You will have a thick dressing on your shoulder. The physical therapist will take off your dressing on your first therapy visit 2 to 3 days after your surgery.
Sling:
You will have a sling, which you will use for the first 2 to 4 weeks. You can remove the sling for showering and performing your home exercise program.
Ice:
You should apply ice over the dressing for 30 minutes every 1 to 2 hours for several days. Do not use heat the first week after surgery.
Suture Removal:
In general there are no sutures that need to be removed. I use absorbable sutures to close the small incisions. Occasionally, there are non-absorbable sutures, and they will be removed on your first post-operative visit.
Follow-up office visit:
You will be instructed on when to follow-up in the office. This is usually 2 weeks after surgery.
Exercise:
You will be instructed prior to your surgery on exercise to begin the day after your surgery. You will start formal physical therapy 2 to 3 days post-op.
Return to school or work:
You can return to school or work within 3-5 days without using the affected side. If you need to use the arm to return, you may be out of work or school for a longer period of time.
What will rehabilitation involve?
The rehabilitation is based on several goals: 1) allowing the tissue to heal; 2) regaining your range of motion; 3) regaining strength; 4) return to full duty at work, or return to sports.
When can I return to sports?
In general, you will be allowed to return to sports in 4 – 6 months after surgery. You must have good motion, strength, and control of your shoulder and arm. How quickly you return to sports depends on several factors, including: 1) your own rate of healing; 2) the damage found at surgery; 3) if you have any complications (like stiffness); 4) how well you follow the post-operative instructions; 5) how hard you work in rehabilitation.
When can I return to full duty at work?
In general I doctors keep people on clerical duties for 3 months after the surgery, which means no lifting with your operated arm. This is to protect the repair. In the 3rd and 4th month they allow you to perform light duty meaning lifting no more than 10 pounds. People generally get back to performing full duty at work from 4 to 6 months.
What is the success rate?
The success rate for a SLAP repair ranges from 85 to 95%. The goal is to achieve a shoulder with no pain for lifting, throwing, or overhead activity.
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Pain is an individual thing, have you had surgeries before? Did you need medication to control the pain afterwards? While in hospital the doctor will make sure you have enough pain medication to deal with any pain you have.
I tore the rotator cuff in my shoulder and it took a long time to recover from it. The shoulder is a joint which does not take injury very well nor does it take immobilization very well.
Good luck with your surgery.
Have you considered medical treatment and surgical help for this in India? My cousin got her surgery from a company called Forerunners Healthcare in India.
She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA.
Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as all types of medical treatment and surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your medical treatment and surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.
WAIT UNTIL U C YOUR BILL TALKING ABOUT PAIN P .S. GOOD LUCK