Shoulder Pain After Surgery
Post-surgical shoulder pain can be an annoying and debilitating experience, often persisting longer than one would like. Naturally, some pain during the healing process is to be expected, but when pain hangs around or gets even more intense, you start to wonder if anything is going to help and whether you're ever going to get back to normal.
This article looks into the usual reasons behind shoulder pain following surgical procedures. It also offers advice on making discomfort more tolerable and how shoulder pain therapy in Merrick, NY, can help.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain After SurgeryInflammation and Healing Process
Inflammation is a normal part of the postoperative healing process and often comes with pain. As the body makes the repairs needed after shoulder surgery, it increases blood flow to the area to facilitate recovery.
Scar Tissue Formation
After surgery, scar tissue may form where the body was cut. This fibrous tissue is necessary to close wounds but can also stick to nearby muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Because of this sticky behavior, the scar tissue can restrict movement and cause discomfort. If it irritates a nearby nerve, it may cause pain that is not related to the operation at all.
Nerve Irritation or Damage
Shoulder surgeries, particularly those directed at the rotator cuff, can sometimes have unfortunate side effects, like nerve irritation or damage. During delicate operations on the shoulder, it is not uncommon for the surgeon to have to maneuver around major nerves and either stretch or compress them. Slight nerve injuries can lead to sensations of tingling, numbness, or sharp pain immediately after surgery and for some time afterward.
Complications
Shoulder surgery can sometimes lead to complications, such as infection or failure of the rotator cuff repair, that may cause pain to linger or worsen after the operation. Infectious complications usually announce themselves with increased swelling, redness, and tenderness at the surgical site and require immediate attention. Doctors typically treat infections with antibiotics and, in some cases, further surgery. The other potential complication—failed rotator cuff repair—involves no external signs. It typically signals itself with pain and may herald a return of shoulder impingement.
Home Care Tips for Shoulder Pain Post-Surgery
Shoulder pain management at home is vital to support the physical therapy work. Here are some home care tips to reduce pain and help the shoulder heal:
Ice and Heat Therapy
In the first 48 to 72 hours, apply ice packs to the shoulder to diminish swelling and soreness. Thereafter, moist heat may be helpful to loosen tight muscles and improve blood circulation.
It is essential to use a barrier—a towel, for instance—between the ice or heat and your skin to protect against frostbite (from ice) or burns (from heat) and ensure the treatment is as effective as possible.
Proper Posture
Be mindful of your posture while performing everyday tasks. Maintain good sitting alignment and avoid slouching to help reduce undue stress on your shoulders.
Sleeping Position
Do not sleep on a painful shoulder. To relieve pressure on the shoulder and reduce pain, keep the arm propped up with a pillow or use a sling while sleeping.
Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain After Surgery
Post-operative physical therapy in Merrick, NY, helps to ensure that you heal correctly and within the necessary time frame. This treatment often combines several techniques and modalities to address your condition. Some of these techniques include,
Swinging on a Pendulum: This is a very easy exercise to help your shoulder improve and regain mobility. You lean forward and let your arm hang straight down. Then, you move your arm in a circular motion. You don't use any muscles in your arm to do this.
Shoulder Flexion and Extension (Passive): The therapist will move your arm in different directions to help regain motion in that shoulder.
When rehabilitation advances, exercises meant to build strength, like wall push-ups, scapular squeezes, and rotator cuff workouts, are slowly added to the regimen to restore the shoulder to its full functionality.
Conclusion
Shoulder pain following surgery is a common experience and, in most cases, temporary. Although some pain is to be expected when the body is healing from a surgical procedure, it is not normal for pain to limit recovery.
Understanding the pain and managing it via the methods described here can result in a better recovery experience.
It is just as critical to be watchful and to obtain medical help when you notice a complication, like intensifying pain, constant fever, or an inability to move the shoulder. If these signs are present, the only way to keep the situation from worsening is to obtain a medical intervention.