How should I prepare for surgery?

Start now. Take care of yourself. Preparing for shoulder replacement begins a few weeks before the actual surgery. This is your time to put your health first, so your recovery from surgery can go as smoothly as possible. Check with your surgeon to discuss your specific pre-surgery instructions.

In the weeks ahead

Exercise under your doctor’s supervision.
Get a physical.
Get a dental checkup.
Stop smoking.
Lose weight if you’re overweight.

Closer to the surgery

Arrange a pre-surgery visit with your doctor.
Get lab tests that the doctor orders.
Complete health forms.
Prepare and freeze some meals to make it easier when you get home.
Choose and talk to a physical therapist to learn some important activities for after surgery.
Talk to your surgeon’s team about if or when to stop your routine medications.

The night before

Fast – nothing to eat or drink.
Bathe the surgical area with the antiseptic solution provided to you.

The day of the surgery

Every hospital has its own procedures, but you may expect to follow this basic routine:

Arrive at the hospital at your appointment time and complete the registration and admission process.
Your care team will assess your vital signs (like blood pressure and temperature) and your general health.
You’ll change into a hospital gown and likely settle into a pre-surgery room.
Your anesthesiologist and operating room nurse will come in to talk with you, and the team will start the IV (intravenous) line that will be used to administer fluids and medication.
Your family can stay with you until the team wheels to the operating room where your orthopaedic surgeon and your surgical team will perform your shoulder surgery.
After the surgery, you’ll be wheeled into a recovery room where your recovery team will monitor your vital signs until you’re ready for transport to your hospital room.
From there, the hospital floor nursing team will continue to monitor your vital signs and your incision site and dressing.
You may be surprised how quickly you’ll be evaluated by a physical therapist. The team will get you moving with special post-op activities. You’ll also be allowed to eat and drink as you can tolerate it.

Talk to your doctor

Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks. Your surgeon can explain all of the possible complications of the surgery, as well as side effects, in greater detail.

Important information

Shoulder replacement

Anatomic total shoulder joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with painful, disabling joint disease of the shoulder resulting from: degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis. Additional indications could include but not limited to: aseptic necrosis of the humeral head, proximal humeral fracture and revision of previous unsuccessful hemiarthroplasty or other procedures.

Reverse total shoulder joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with a functional deltoid muscle and with massive and non-repairable rotator cuff tear with pain disabled by: rheumatoid arthritis, non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease, humeral head fracture, traumatic arthritis and revision of devices if adequate bone stock remains.

Shoulder joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with any active or suspected latent infection in or about the shoulder joint, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis in stability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care. Additionally, shoulder joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients whose anticipated activities would impose high stresses on the prosthesis and its fixation.

As with any surgery, shoulder joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, intraoperative complications, component wear, nerve damage, loosening of shoulder components and dislocation of the shoulder prosthesis.

Implant related risks which may lead to a revision or removal of the implant include being overweight, manual labor activities, some sports activities, patient age, activity level, medical conditions, alcohol or drug addiction, and mental disorders. Shoulder joint implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high-impact activities, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment, and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you.

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Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Blueprint, ReUnion, Simpliciti, Shoulder iD, Stryker, Tornier. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

OT-AWI-53 Oct-2023