Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding precautions to be observed during immediate phase of post shoulder replacement surgery as follows:
- Compliance with stool softeners: Reduced mobility and activity during immediate post-surgical phase can increase risk for constipation. Intake of narcotic pain medications can add to the problem and potentiate risk for constipation further. Your surgeon could recommend stool softeners to help bowel movements and prevent constipation. Observe compliance with intake of the prescribed stool softeners, as ordered, for the scheduled duration of time.
- Compliance with fluid intake: Usually adult individuals need about 3 to 3.5 liters of fluid for metabolic needs, unless one is placed on any fluid limitations. Your sedentary lifestyle post-surgery can increase the demand for fluid intake, as fluid is needed to maintain skin integrity in sedentary individuals and prevent development of pressure ulcers. Fluid intake helps bowels move and prevent constipation. Also, as at least 70% of muscle tissue is made of water, fluid plays a significant role in maintaining muscle activity and preventing muscle fatigue. Thus, compliance with fluid intake recommendations not only helps with reducing muscle fatigue and improving joint mobility, but also contributes to excretion of inflammatory mediators that increase pain during immediate post-surgical phase. Check with your physician on recommendation regarding fluid volume intake and observe compliance with the recommendation made.
- Compliance with blood thinner medications: Your surgeon could recommend a course of blood thinner medications, such as, aspirin, heparin, or warfarin, to prevent development of any DVT and clot formation. Observe compliance with intake of blood thinner medications recommended, if any. Be aware of the risk for bleeding episodes, secondary to use of blood thinners. Labs could be ordered to adjust the dose of blood thinner accordingly. Observe compliance with the lab draws ordered.
