What Should I Do The First 24 Hours After Shoulder Surgery?

Just take it easy.

The majority of our patients get a nerve block. The advantage is that you don’t feel anything in the operative shoulder for the first one to two days. The disadvantage is that you can’t move your arm because the nerves are blocked. They’re numb. So that’s when you’re wearing the sling that first day or two.

Just take it easy. Get some movies that you want to watch. Go out and take a walk. Don’t just sit in the house all day.

Navigating this initial window smoothly is the first critical milestone on your recovery timeline. For patients recovering from a same day shoulder surgery, using this numb period to rest and set up your recovery space is an excellent baseline pain-management strategy before the block begins to wear off. You can still use your other arm. The arm will start to wake up that first day or so. But that first day after surgery, I tell people even that first few days, just take it easy, chill out at your house, do what you can do, but don’t plan too much.

As an expert Dallas Shoulder Surgeon, my goal is to make sure your transition from the operating room to your living room is as safe, comfortable, and stress-free as possible.

Trust your shoulder surgery with a skilled specialist. Schedule a visit with Dr. Kevin Kruse at (469) 838-5661.