SHOULDER HEMIARTHROPLASTY PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

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1 SHOULDER HEMIARTHROPLASTY PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET This leaflet has been produced to help answer some questions you may have following your shoulder surgery. However if you still have any concerns or queries after reading this leaflet, ask your surgeon who will explain things more fully. The Shoulder Shoulder hemiarthroplasty The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, where the ball of the humerus (upper arm bone) meets the socket of the scapula. This socket is known as a the glenoid. A hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder is a surgical procedure where the top of the humerus (the upper arm bone) is removed, and replaced with an artificial ball. This operation is usually performed following a severe fracture of the upper arm, where the blood supply to the bone is in danger of being cut off.

2 Diagram showing a fracture of the top of the humerus (the upper arm bone) which requires a hemiarthroplasty Diagram of a shoulder hemi-arthroplasty in place

3 Immediately after your operation: You will be seen by a Physiotherapist either on the ward or in the Day Stay Unit to teach you your exercises. Your arm will be in a sling/abduction wedge for weeks. It is normal to get numbness in your operated arm following surgery. This will usually resolve over the first few hours after your operation. Keep your elbow, wrist and fingers moving regularly to prevent stiffness and reduce swelling. You can take your sling off to do your exercises. It is important that you start to do your exercises as soon as the numbness has worn off in your arm. There may be specific movements which you need to avoid your Physiotherapist will advise you if this is the case. Further information: It is important to take regular analgesia to keep your pain manageable and enable you to do your exercises Speak to your surgeon for advice on returning to work, sport and driving. A follow up appointment with the surgeon will be arranged for you upon discharge. You will have an Outpatient Physiotherapy appointment arranged for you. They will usually contact you within 2 weeks of your surgery. Useful Telephone Numbers Orthopaedic Surgical Unit (OSU) Inpatient Physiotherapy Outpatients Physiotherapy Alexandra Day Unit

4 Following your surgery your arm is likely to be in a sling as shown below. You may also have a strap which goes around your waist to prevent you from turning your arm out to the side. It is important when wearing your sling that your forearm is at least at a right angle to your upper arm, to prevent your hand from hanging down and pulling on your shoulder. Applying/Removing the Sling To apply the sling, keeping your arm across your stomach, slide the sling over your forearm until your elbow is resting in the corner of the sling. Feed the shoulder strap through the metal ring on the top of the sling. Pull the shoulder strap up and across the non-operated shoulder until the arm is in a good position then fasten the Velcro. Run the body strap from the metal ring on the underneath of the sling, around your waist and then fasten the Velcro securely. To remove the sling, keeping your arm across your stomach, undo the waist strap and remove. Then undo the shoulder strap. Lastly draw the sling down over your forearm until it is removed. When your sling is removed, avoid moving the upper arm at all.

5 Immediate Post Operative Exercises Scapula Setting: Sitting tall and unsupported with head aligned over shoulders and the upper body balanced over the pelvis with your arm by your side. Draw the tips of your shoulder blades down your back and tilt them towards each other. Hold for 20 seconds then relax. Repeat 10 times. Pendular Exercises Stand leaning on a table with the non-operated hand. Let your other arm hang relaxed straight down. Swing your arm forwards and backwards letting the momentum assist you. Keep your elbow straight. Repeat _10 times. Pendular Exercises Stand leaning on a table with the non-operated hand. Let your other arm hang relaxed straight down. Swing your arm to the left and to the right, letting the momentum assist you. Keep your elbow straight Repeat _10 times. Pendular Exercises Stand leaning on a table with the non-operated hand. Let your other arm hang relaxed straight down. Swing your arm as if you are drawing a circle on the floor, letting the momentum assist you. Keep your elbow straight Repeat _10 times circling in each direction.

6 Elbow Flexion/Extension Bend and straighten your elbow fully. If needed, use your non-operated arm to assist you. Repeat 10 times. Wrist and Hand Flexion/Extension Bend and straighten your wrist and fingers of your operated hand to help reduce swelling. Repeat little and often.