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Darren J. Friedman, MD, New York, NY

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC SHOULDER SURGERY
  • It is normal to have swelling and discomfort in the shoulder for several days to weeks after surgery.
  • Apply ice packs or cryotherapy device to control swelling. Ice should be applied 30 minutes at a time, every hour. Put a thin towel or T-shirt on your skin if using ice in a plastic bag. Icing is most important in the first 72 hours, although many people find that continuing it lessens their postoperative pain weeks after the surgery.
  • If you had a nerve block, the local anesthetic may keep your arm numb for several hours. You will be given a prescription for pain medication when you are discharged from the hospital. Begin taking this medication when you start feeling sensation has returned. Please take your pain medication with food. Do not operate machinery or a vehicle while taking pain medications. Narcotics cannot be refilled after normal office hours Monday through Friday or on the weekend.
  • Keep the postoperative dressing clean and dry. Unless it becomes too wet or too tight because of swelling, leave the bandages in place for at least 3 days. You may remove your bandages 3 days after surgery.
  • Do NOT remove the small strips that are adherent to the skin (Steri-Strips). It is OK to leave them open to the air. Antibiotic creams are not necessary.
  • You may shower 4 days after surgery. Do not submerge your incisions in water (bath) until at least 3 weeks after the surgery.
  • Should you have superficial sutures, they will be removed at your first postoperative visit 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
  • I would like to see you back in the office approximately 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. If you do not have your first postoperative visit scheduled, please call our office to make one.
  • Many patients find that lying down accentuates their discomfort. You might sleep better in a recliner, or propped up with multiple pillows in bed. A pillow placed behind your elbow may also help.
  • A physical therapy Rx (if indicated) will be given to you at your first postoperative visit.
  • Duration of sling use will vary depending upon the nature of your surgery. You are to wear it at all times, unless instructed otherwise, with the exception of changing clothes, bathing, and during physical therapy.
  • Button down shirt is easiest to use after surgery (slide shirt on operative arm first).
  • If you experience continuous incision drainage, redness, swelling, fever greater than 101.5, please call our office.
  • You may eat a regular diet if not nauseated. Avoid alcoholic drinks, caffeinated drinks and cigarette or tobacco smoking.
  • The narcotic pain medications may cause constipation. Taking an over the counter stool softener is recommended {Colace (docusate) 100 mg every 8 hours}. In addition, you can take an over the counter laxative {Dulcolax (bisacodyl) oral tablet OR suppository} if needed.
  • Plan to take a few days off from work.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC KNEE SURGERY
  • It is normal to have swelling and discomfort in the knee for several days to weeks after surgery.
  • Apply ice packs or cryotherapy device to control swelling. Ice should be applied 30 minutes at a time, every hour. Put a thin towel on your skin if using ice in a plastic bag. Icing is most important in the first 72 hours, although many people find that continuing it lessens their postoperative pain weeks after the surgery.
  • If you had a nerve block, the local anesthetic may keep your leg numb for several hours. You will be given a prescription for pain medication when you are discharged from the hospital. Begin taking this medication when you start feeling sensation has returned. Please take your pain medication with food. Do not operate machinery or a vehicle while taking pain medications. Narcotics cannot be refilled after normal office hours Monday through Friday or on the weekend.
  • Keep the postoperative dressing clean and dry. Unless it becomes too wet or too tight because of swelling, leave the bandages in place for at least 3 days. You may remove your bandages 3 days after surgery.
  • Do NOT remove the small stripes that are adherent to the skin (Steri-Strips). It is OK to leave them open to the air. Antibiotic creams are not necessary.
  • You may shower 4 days after surgery. Do not submerge your incisions in water (bath) until at least 3 weeks after the surgery.
  • You can bear full weight and walk on the leg unless otherwise instructed by the doctor. Crutches or cane can be used for a period of time if walking is uncomfortable.
  • Keep the leg elevated when not walking around. This will help reduce swelling. Gently move the knee (flexion and extension) as much as you can, to prevent stiffness.
  • Keep the elastic stocking (TED) on for at least 3 days and do at least 10 ankle motion exercises (flexion and extension) each hour to control swelling. This will help prevent phlebitis (blood clots in the veins).
  • Take an aspirin (81 mg) twice a day for 5 days. Please start taking your aspirin the day of surgery.
  • Should you have superficial sutures, they will be removed at your first postoperative visit 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
  • I would like to see you back in the office approximately 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. If you do not have your first postoperative visit scheduled, please call our office to make one.
  • A physical therapy Rx (if indicated) will be given to you at your first postoperative visit.
  • If you experience continuous incision drainage, redness, swelling, fever greater than 101.5, please call our office.
  • You may eat a regular diet if not nauseated. Avoid alcoholic drinks, caffeinated drinks and cigarette or tobacco smoking post-surgery.
  • The narcotic pain medications may cause constipation. Taking an over the counter stool softener is recommended {Colace (docusate) 100 mg every 8 hours}. In addition, you can take an over the counter laxative {Dulcolax (bisacodyl) oral tablet OR suppository} if needed.
  • Plan to take a few days off from work.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION
  • Prior to surgery or on the first day after surgery a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine will be delivered to your home. This is a small apparatus that sits on the bed onto which your knee rests. The CPM slowly bends and straightens out the knee. Once you get used to the machine, it will decrease pain and accelerate your rehab. If you do not use the CPM the knee may become stiff. This may lead to more pain and delay your recovery. You will be able to adjust the CPM with a hand-controlled unit. You should use the CPM for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery for several hours per day. You may move the CPM to the sofa, the floor, or onto a bed as you change positions and locations. Extension (knee straight) on the machine should be set to –5 degrees at all times. CPM should be programmed to include an extension pause of 5 seconds (when the knee is straightened out, it pauses). The flexion setting at the start should be around 30 degrees and should be gradually increased as tolerated. It is OK (but not necessary) to remove your knee brace when using the CPM. When a meniscal repair has been performed along with ACL reconstruction, limit knee flexion to 90 degrees.
  • You will be sent home from the hospital with your knee in a hinged-knee brace. This brace allows you to bend and straighten your knee. It is to be used during ambulation for at least 6 weeks after surgery. You may ambulate with the brace locked straight (full extension) putting some weight on your operated leg. You should use crutches in the beginning but can discontinue the crutches when you have confidence in the knee to support you. Crutches are usually discontinued after 2 weeks. In some cases crutches and restricted weightbearing may be necessary for longer periods. I will communicate this to you if necessary.
  • It is normal to have swelling and discomfort in the knee for several weeks after surgery.
  • Apply ice packs or cryotherapy device to control swelling. Ice should be applied
  • 30 minutes at a time, every hour. Place a towel on your skin if using ice in a plastic bag. Icing is most important over the first week, although many people find continuing it lessens their postoperative pain weeks after surgery.
  • If you had a nerve block, the local anesthetic may keep your leg numb for several hours. You will be given a prescription for pain medication when you are discharged from the hospital. Begin taking this medication when you start feeling sensation has returned. Please take your pain medication with food. Do not operate machinery or vehicle while taking pain medications. Narcotics cannot be refilled after normal office hours Monday through Friday or on the weekend.
  • Keep the postoperative dressing clean and dry. Unless it becomes too wet or too tight because of swelling, leave the bandages in place for at least 4 days. You may remove your bandages 4 days after surgery. It is OK to leave the incisions open to the air. You may cover the small incisions with a bandage or Band-Aids if you wish but this is not necessary. Antibiotic creams are not necessary.
  • You may shower 5 days after surgery. Do not submerge your incisions in water (bath) until at least 3 weeks after the surgery.
  • Keep the elastic stocking (TED) on for at least 4 days and do at least 10 ankle motion exercises (flexion and extension) each hour to control swelling. This will help prevent phlebitis (blood clots in the veins).
  • Take an aspirin (81 mg) twice a day for 10 days. Please start taking your aspirin the day of surgery.
  • Should you have superficial sutures, they will be removed at your first postoperative visit 2 weeks after surgery.
  • I would like to see you back in the office approximately 2 weeks after surgery. If you do not have your first postoperative visit scheduled, please call the office to make one.
  • Physical therapy will be started roughly 2 weeks after surgery. You will be given a therapy prescription with a physical therapy protocol at your first postoperative visit.
  • If you experience continuous incision drainage, redness, swelling, fever greater than 101.5, please call our office.
  • You may eat a regular diet if not nauseated. Avoid alcoholic drinks, caffeinated drinks, and cigarette or tobacco smoking.
  • The narcotic pain medications may cause constipation. Taking an over the counter stool softener is recommended {Colace (docusate) 100 mg every 8 hours}. In addition, you can take an over the counter laxative {Dulcolax (bisacodyl) oral tablet OR suppository} if needed.
  • Plan to take 2 weeks off from work/school.
If you have any questions please contact the office.

Why Choose Dr. Friedman?

  • Board Certified Orthopedic Sports Medicine Specialist
  • Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Director - New York Downtown Center for Sports Medicine @ New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
  • Clinical Assistant Professor Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery – Weill Cornell Medical College
  • Fellow – American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Fellow – Arthroscopy Association of North America
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