Injuries to the rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons that keep the head of your upper arm in your shoulder socket) have been rising in the United States. While most cases of rotator cuff injury respond well to noninvasive treatments such as rest, medications, injections, and physical therapy, other severe cases may require surgery to alleviate pain and other symptoms of rotator cuff problems.
If you’ve rotator cuff surgery on the calendar, there are some things that you can do to help make your surgery go smoothly and enjoy a quick recovery after surgery. Let’s talk about what you should do before your rotator cuff surgery and where you can go for rotator cuff surgery in Farmington Hills, MI.
Follow General Medical Guidelines
Your orthopedic doctor will provide you with pre-surgical instructions much before your surgery. The instructions may include the following:
- Approximately two weeks before the surgery, avoid any dental work and stop taking certain medications and/or supplements that may interfere with your blood clotting process. Examples of medicines you should avoid include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen.
- See your relevant physician if you have medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Make sure you’re cleared for surgery by your doctors.
- Meet with your physical therapist to discuss if you need pre-op physical therapy. Also, discuss your post-op rehabilitation plan with your physical therapist.
- Avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol before your surgery, as these activities can slow down the healing of bones and skin after surgery.
Prepare Your Home
You won’t feel at your best and will be limited in things you can do around your house when you’ll get back home after your surgery. So here are some things that you can do to prepare your home in advance for your rotator cuff repair surgery.
- Prepare your meals in advance for approximately 1-2 weeks and freeze them. You can also stock some ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, nuts, cereals, etc.
- A few weeks after surgery, you will need some help around the house. So, ask your family member or a friend to come over while you recover.
- Practice using one arm before surgery for daily tasks like brushing teeth and fixing hair.
- You may not be allowed to drive for the first weeks following surgery. So, arrange for transportation in advance.
- Place your frequently used appliances and other items, such as canned food, pots, and pans, at counter height to prevent your arm from overextending.
- Buy loose-fitting easy-to-wear clothes, particularly shirts that zip or button in front.
Rotator Cuff Surgery in Farmington Hills, MI
If you think you’ve injured your rotator cuff, get your shoulder evaluated at Tri County Orthopedics in Farmington Hills, Michigan. We have a team of highly trained and experienced orthopedic surgeons who will do a comprehensive evaluation and recommend treatments, including minimally invasive rotator cuff repair surgery, necessary to help you get back to the lifestyle you love.
To make an appointment with one of our providers, call us today at (248) 474-5575 or request an appointment online.
