Although recovery from arthroscopy is often faster than recovery from open surgery, it may still take weeks to months for your shoulder joint to completely recover.
You can expect some pain and discomfort for several weeks after surgery. If you he had a more extensive surgery, however, it may take longer before your pain subsides. Ice will help relieve pain and swelling. Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine, if needed.
Treating pain with medications can help you feel more comfortable, which will help your body heal faster and recover from surgery faster. Many types of pain medication are ailable to help control pain, including:
Opioids Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Local anestheticsOpioids can provide excellent pain relief; however, their use has risks and complications. These medications can be addictive and potentially dangerous. It is therefore important to use opioids only as directed by your doctor, to use as little as possible for as short a time as possible, and to stop taking them as soon as your pain starts to improve.
Although it does not affect how your shoulder heals, lying flat may pull on your shoulder and cause discomfort. Some patients are more comfortable sleeping in a reclining chair or propped up in bed the first days after surgery.
A few days after surgery, you should be able to replace your large bandage with simple Band-Aids. You may shower once your wounds are no longer draining, but try not to soak or scrub your incisions.
You will most likely need a sling or special immobilizer to protect your shoulder. Your surgeon will discuss with you how long the sling will be needed.