Patient/caregiver was instructed on measures to promote safety and reduce the workload during immediate post-surgical phase as follows:
- Avoid performing any activities that involve turning the shoulder excessively inward or outward, at least during the initial phase of shoulder replacement surgery. This activity can result in dislodgement of the artificial shoulder joint and delay recovery & rehab.
- Avoid placing items in the upper shelves, which could necessitate lifting the shoulder above the level of head. Rearrange shelves in the bedroom, closets, and kitchen with items that are used regularly placed in the lower shelves, at the level of your chest. Having items at chest level and a little lower helps an easy reach and cuts down the need to elevate the surgical shoulder joint to access the upper shelves.
- As the surgical arm could be limited in sling during the immediate post-surgical phase, using furniture and toilet seats with armrests can help promote safety during sitting and standing up. The nonsurgical arm could be used to hold the armrest for support during sitting. The armrest could be pushed against with the nonsurgical hand to reduce the effort of standing.
- Poor posture of the chest with rounded shoulders can add stress on the implanted shoulder resulting in pain. Practice to assume safer posture, with expansion of & puffed up chest and shoulders spread wide apart, as it can help relieve the stress on the implanted shoulder and aid in pain relief.
- Individuals who underwent shoulder replacement, at least during the early post-surgical phase, must avoid participating in overhead sports, such as, basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, throwball, and other field throwing events. They should also avoid participating in water sports, such as, swimming and any other activities involving use of upper arm and shoulder above the level of head. Movement of the upper arm and shoulder above the level of head can compromise the integrity of the artificial joint.
