Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive Capsulitis - Part Two

General Instructions for Adhesive Capsulitis
(Frozen Shoulder) Patients

You may resume a regular diet when you return home. Start with tea or broth and advance slowly with crackers or toast, then a non-spicy sandwich. If you become nauseated, return to clear liquids. You can also try Tum's, Zantac or Pepcid AC to help settle your stomach.

After surgery you are encouraged to deep breathe and cough frequently (at lease 3-4 times per day). This will reduce mucous from building up in your lungs, and will reduce the risk of developing pneumonia.

***It is important to move arm and shoulder immediately after surgery to prevent refreezing”   ****

Pain Control:

Take medication as prescribed by Dr Reznik.  Please call our office with any questions regarding your medication. Moving the affected shoulder immediately after surgery is important to prevent “refreezing” of the joint. If pain is preventing movement, please call our office.

Blood Clots:

Patients at high risk for blood clots include:

• Those with long car or train commutes;
• May be overweight: BMI>30*;
• Have a history of having cancer;
• Females on birth control pills;

• Males over the age of 40. 
  
  *BMI or Body Mass index  is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems
  www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi  

• These patients should be taking 1 aspirin per day for 6 weeks after surgery unless allergic to aspirin.

Sling:

Patients are to wear the sling as needed for comfort.  It is recommended that patients wear the sling when going out. This will help to alert others to avoid the affected arm during this healing period. Move fingers and wrist often. Expect some swelling.

Dressing: 

The dressing is to remain clean and dry. After 48 hours you may remove the dressing but keep the small steri strips on. You may shower today and replace the dressing with Band-Aids.

Driving:

Patient cannot drive until they are off all pain medications, completely out of the sling, and can easily place hands at 12:00 position on the steering wheel and can move hands freely from the 9:00 – 3:00 position. 

Returning to Work:

Patients with sedentary or low demand work can usually return to work within 7-10 days.  They will still have restrictions on lifting (less than 5 pounds)   repetitive and overhead use on the surgical side.

Medium work that requires some light lifting will need at least 3-4 weeks.

Patients with slightly higher demand jobs or infrequent repetitive arm use will need at least 6-8 weeks.

Heavy laborers (patients with repetitive work, overhead work of any kind, such as manufacturing or construction work) may need a minimum of 3-4 months and possibly a work conditioning program prior to returning to work.

 Airline Flights:

Patients may fly 2-3 weeks after surgery on short flights (up to 2 hours) but should wait 6-8 weeks for longer flights.

Your should get up and walk frequently to avoid blood clots and take an aspirin (unless allergic).

Physical Therapy Reminder:

Vital to your recovery of good shoulder function is a graduated activity and exercise program to increase muscle strength and motion.

Your physical therapy will begin 3-4 days after surgery. The physical therapist will guide you in your shoulder rehabilitation program.

It is very important for you to start therapy when recommended.

To avoid complications, postoperative follow up appointments with your physician are also required to monitor your progress.

You will begin simple exercises the day of surgery. They should be done every day for the first week post-op, to maintain blood flow and help to prevent blood clots.

Back to Part One