Shoulder arthroscopy pre-operative instructions 2

Dressing: The large tape dressing on your shoulder may be taken off 48 hours after
surgery. The Band-aid/Steri-strips covering your wounds should be left in place and may
be removed in clinic or allowed to fall off on their own.

Showering: After the tape has been removed, you may shower. Allow the arm to hang
down to the side. Carefully wash and dry the armpit by moving your body away from the
arm.
 Do not actively lift the shoulder for this.
 Do not spend a long time in the shower.
 Do not submerge the shoulder in a bathtub or hot tub until instructed.

Sling: Regardless of the procedure you had done, your sling should stay on at all times,
except for hygiene and exercises. Lean toward your affected side so that your arm gently
swings out from your body. This position will allow you to use a washcloth and to apply
deodorant. Your sling should stay on to sleep. At your first follow-up appointment,
further instructions for sling usage will be provided.

Pain control: You are given a prescription for a narcotic pain medicine. This may be
required to provide adequate pain control.