• A clean sterile dressing will be placed on your shoulder prior to discharge home.  The incision will be closed with Dermabond surgical glue.  There is a thin clear adhesive tape which will be removed at your 1st follow-up appointment (two weeks post-op).  Please keep the incision clean and dry at all times except when bathing.  Always wash your hands with antiseptic soap before changing your dressings.  It is OK to take brief showers beginning post-op day three using Dyna-Hex solution to clean the wound, but please do not soak the incision in the bath, pool, hot-tub, lake, etc.  If you have an indwelling nerve block catheter (AKA as a “pain pump”) please do not shower until it has been removed (the pump will typically last 1-3 days).  You will be shown a video and provided instructions on how to manage your pain pump prior to discharge home.  After you have showered allow the shoulder to air dry. You may leave the Dermabond glue dressing uncovered.  If there is any drainage or oozing from the incision please cover it with a thin layer of gauze and tape.  You do not need to apply any antibiotic ointment to the incision.  Please do not use any scar treatment creams/ointments (such as Mederma or Vitamin E) until one month post-op.  If your incision is closed with sutures or staples instead of Dermabond, you may still begin brief showers on day three as above, however you should keep the incision covered with thin layer of gauze until the first follow-up appointment.  

 

• Clear or bloody drainage from the incision may occur for several days and is normal.  If there is any significant redness surrounding the incision or yellow drainage from the wound please monitor closely and contact our office if you have any concerns.  Warmth and swelling is normal and part of the healing process and can take several months to resolve. 

 

• Apply Ice to the shoulder intermittently to help control pain and swelling, usually 15-20 minutes at a time and repeat 5-10 times daily.  Place a thin towel between the ice pack and skin to prevent frostbite injury.   

 

• You can anticipate significant bruising and swelling which may extend onto the chest wall and abdomen, as well as down into the forearm, wrist, and hand.  

 

• Your shoulder may appear “swollen” until the soft tissue healing process is complete and can take 3-6 months to subside.

 

• There will be numbness immediately surrounding the incision.  Small superficial sensory skin nerves must be cut through to access the shoulder joint for your replacement.  

 

• At your two week follow-up further wound care instructions will be provided if necessary. 

 

Please contact our office through MyChart or by calling our office at 270-417-7940 if you have any concerns and our office staff will be happy to assist you.