After your rotator cuff surgery, there will be a bulky bandage over your shoulder and your arm will be in a sling. There may be a small pillow attached depending upon the extent of the surgery. This sling takes the pressure off the repaired tendons. It is to remain on at all times unless told to you by Dr. Desio that it may be removed.
The sling may be worn outside your clothes. To dress, place the operative arm in a button type shirt first. Then insert the nonoperative arm and button shirt. Then, place arm in sling and secure straps of sling until snug.
A Cold Therapy Cold Pack may be placed on top of your bandage after surgery. This is connected to a cooler that you will fill with ice and water. Cryotherapy is also known as cold therapy. This is the treatment of pain and/or inflammation by lowering the temperature of the skin over the affected area. It is probably the oldest form of pain control! In addition, it can significantly improve swelling after an injury or surgery.
You may remove your bandage and take a shower with your stitches 2 days after surgery as long as there is no drainage from the incision sites. If you notice drainage from the sites, hold off on getting them wet until they are completely dry. Place BandAids over the incisions once per day until they are fully healed. Do not soak incisions in water. No swimming or bath for 7 days after surgery.

Caution: The pad should never be placed directly on the skin as it can cause frostbite or skin injury. Always have clothing between your skin and the pad.

The pad is placed on your shoulder after the bandage is applied. The blue tube is connected to the cooler and ice water will automatically circulate through the pad to decrease pain and inflammation from surgery. The pad and cooler are yours to keep. Do not bring them to the office unless you are having problems with them.

TIP: Freeze small water bottles and place them in the cooler with water instead of ice cubes

Medications

You may have had a nerve block before surgery. This may provide numbness of your shoulder, arm, and hand for up to 36 hours. When the nerve block wears off, expect an increase in your pain.
You will be given a prescription for a pain killer that is a narcotic. This is usually Vicodin, Oxycodone, or something similar. This is very strong medication and should be weaned as soon as possible to reduce the potential side effects of this medication.
If you feel the prescription it too strong or you do not need it, Tylenol , Advil , Ibuprofen, or Aleve may be used instead, as long as you do not have any allergies to these medications
Pain Management is very important during the first few days after surgery. To prevent the pain from getting ahead of you, take either your prescription or over the counter pain medication regularly for the first 24 hours until the nerve block has worn off.
A stool softener is recommended i.e. Colace. One of the most common side effects of pain medication is nausea and constipation.
If you experience nausea, it is most commonly a side effect of the narcotic pain medication, and the anesthesia. Please call the office and we will phone in medication for the nausea.
Although blood clots are rare, you should take a baby Aspirin a day, starting the day of surgery, for 2 weeks after surgery to reduce the risk.
Contact the office if you have any redness or excessive drainage at the incision sites. Bruising is normal and will develop a few days after surgery.

Contact the office if you have any redness or excessive drainage at the incision sites.

EXERCISE: Depending on the extent of the tear, your physical therapy will usually begin 5 days after the surgery.

The shoulder has the greatest mobility of any joint in the human body. Recovery from surgery is dependent upon the size of the tear, quality of tissue, quantity of tissue to repair, and general health of each patient. Complete recovery from rotator cuff surgery can take 6 months to one year. Patience and hard work will result in better chances of success.

If you have any questions, please call: Stephen M. Desio, M.D.
Office: (508) 363-6363

Biceps Strain Or Something More?

Pain in your biceps makes it challenging to go about your life. Persistent discomfort can leave you wondering if there is a deeper issue. If you’re wondering if the pain in your biceps is something to worry about, here are a few things to look for as you prepare for a trip to the doctor.

Characteristics of a Bicep Strain

A bicep strain can present itself in several ways, and all may come with varying degrees of pain. Bicep strains typically start in the upper arm, close to the shoulder, and often accompany a popping sound. The pain can be sudden and intense and described as a “burst of pain.”

Other signs of a bicep strain include

Weakness in the shoulder
Inability to rotate the arm
Bruising

Risk Factors for Bicep Strains

Activities or sports with repetitive arm motions, such as baseball, football, or tennis, can increase your risk of straining a bicep.

Poor circulation, previous injuries, and lack of stretching before activities can also put you at risk.

Bicep Strain Treatment and Recovery

After an exam, your doctor can help determine a treatment plan to address your symptoms. Common treatments for bicep strains include rest, ice, anti-inflammatory pain medications, or steroid injections.

Most bicep strain cases resolve after two weeks, and you may be relegated to modified activity levels as you recover.

Is My Bicep Torn?

A bicep tear works slightly differently than a strain as the injury is more severe. A torn bicep can occur from lifting heavy objects, overuse, repetitive motions, or previous injury.

Many patients can recognize a torn bicep from a tearing sensation in the arm at the time of the injury.

Bicep Tear Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor can determine if you have torn your biceps through a physical exam and tests such as an MRI.

Conservative methods, including rest, ice, and physical therapy, can help. Extensive injuries to the bicep may require surgery to correct the issue.

Your recovery depends on your injury’s nature and how well your body responds to treatment methods. If you’ve sustained an injury to your arm, don’t wait. Dr. Desio can help you get back to living your life to the fullest. Call 508-363-6363 to schedule an appointment in the Worcester office.

Rotator Cuff Repair