Having Shoulder Replacement Surgery? What You Need To Do To Prepare

Whether you have arthritis or you have suffered an injury, if you are dealing with excessive pain and limited mobility in your shoulder, your doctor may recommend a shoulder replacement. The outcome of this surgery is highly successful, with the goal of relieving pain and increasing mobility being achieved by the majority of the people who have it.

There are two types of shoulder replacement surgery: Total replacement and partial replacement. During total shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged humeral head, or the ball of the shoulder joint, is replaced with a metal ball and the glenoid, or the socket, is replaced with a smooth plastic surface. For a partial replacement, only the ball of the shoulder is replaced.

If your doctor has recommended shoulder replacement surgery for you, whether total or partial, you will need to prepare for it. This is a major surgery which means that your entire body needs to be ready to undergo surgery, accept the new components of your shoulder and in order to heal. How does one prepare for this surgery? Keep on reading to find out what you need to know about preparations.

Preparations for Shoulder Replacement Surgery

During the weeks before your shoulder replacement surgery, your medical team will guide you through the preparation process. While your medical experts will provide you with detailed instructions, here is an overview of what you can expect during the weeks before your surgery.

A Medical Evaluation. During the weeks before your shoulder replacement surgery, you will have to undergo a complete physical evaluation. The purpose of this is to rule out any medical problems that could potentially interfere with surgery. This physical will include assessing your medical history and will include a series of tests, including blood tests, a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram and a urinalysis. You should also tell your surgeon about all of the medications that you are taking, as there are certain medications that can impact the surgery. Your medical expert will tell you which medications are safe to continue taking and which ones you need to stop taking and how soon before surgery you should stop taking them.

Weight Loss. If you are overweight, your doctor will likely suggest that you lose weight before the surgery. Being overweight can impact the success of the surgery, including how effective the anesthesia will be. If you have difficulty losing weight, your doctor will recommend weight loss tips for you.

Stop Smoking. If you are a smoker, it is highly recommended that you stop smoking in the weeks before your surgery. Smoking tends to change blood flow patterns which can negatively impact the healing and recovery process.

Stop Taking Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Seven days before your surgery, you will need to stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This includes medications like asprin, Aleve, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Advil.

Dental Exam and Treatment. You should have a full dental exam prior to surgery. If it is found that you have any dental problems, such as decay or gum disease, they should be treated before surgery. Though it is uncommon, dental problems have the ability to impact the surgery. For example, infections can occur as a result of the bacteria that they can put into your bloodstream.

Get Insurance in Order. Make sure that all of your medical insurance is in order. You’ll want to make sure that your insurance covers the surgery, including the procedure, the hospitalization and the recovery process.

If you are going to have shoulder replacement surgery, make sure you find out exactly what you need to do prior to the procedure in order to ensure the best possible outcome.

About the Author: Paul Stanely recently underwent this procedure and he highly recommends that you follow all of the advice your doctor provides for preparing for shoulder replacement surgery in order to ensure success.

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