Handy Post-Operative Tips After Having Shoulder Surgery
All surgeries tend to be considered a serious matter. For you to make a full recovery, you need to ensure you are taking post-operative steps in the right direction. The key to comfort during this period of healing is staying ahead of your pain. Here are some handy tips regarding various aspects of the post-operative phase of shoulder surgery:
Managing your pain
When it comes to managing your pain, ensure you take your medication on the exact same day as the surgery. This should be done before you head off to bed. Most patients tend to think they feel okay once they get home, as they are still numb from the nerve block that has been administered to them.
However, this nerve block will eventually fade and this will more than likely occur while you have gone to sleep. Take your pain medications as prescribed, even if you are not feeling any discomfort to avoid this. A common side effect associated with narcotics used for pain management is itching. If you start experiencing this, purchasing Benadryl over the counter can alleviate it.
However, look out for symptoms such as a rash, having difficulty breathing and swelling. This could signify an allergic reaction and you would be best advised to consult with your medical practitioner.
Expect a shift in your digestive system
Most people will experience some digestive interruptions post-surgery. The most common ailments include, constipation and nausea. Nausea tends to be a side effect of the anesthetic that was used to put you under. You could also experience nausea from the pain medication that has been prescribed. One way of dealing with this, would be by ensuring you only take your medication on a full stomach.
As aforementioned, another side effect of surgery is constipation. This occurs when the medications slow down the mechanism of your gastrointestinal tract. To counter this, you should eat foods that are high in fibre. You can couple this with regular glasses of prune juice. If this fails, you could consult with your preferred pharmacist about some stool softeners to ease the problem.
Swelling in your hand
Some of the post-operative pain that you experience may be due to swelling of the hand. The best way to deal with this is to ensure that the limb in question is kept in an elevated position so that the blood can circulate. You can also use ice packs on your hand to take the edge off the pain as well as the swelling.
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