Concerns After Shoulder Surgery: A Week in Recovery
Patient Profile: Male, 29 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. No ongoing medications and a non-smoker. Recently underwent shoulder and clavicle surgery. Greetings! I underwent a subacromial decompression and a distal clavicle resection approximately seven days ago. Prior to the surgery, I had observed a bony protrusion situated above the acromioclavicular joint, which seemed to become inflamed following my workouts. Now, a week into my recovery, I've begun to increase the range of motion in my shoulder, yet the lump persists and feels tender after I've exerted myself. I’m wondering if this is a typical post-operative response. I neglected to address this with my surgeon during my follow-up visit. I’m contemplating whether I should arrange an earlier appointment before my scheduled four-week check-up or simply monitor the situation as I continue with physical therapy. Any insights would be appreciated!
Answers (1)
7/13/2025, 3:32:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to have concerns about your recovery after shoulder surgery, especially regarding ongoing tenderness and the bony protrusion you mentioned. Here's a summary of the situation and some guidance on what to do next.
Main Points:
- It’s common to experience tenderness and swelling after shoulder surgery, but monitoring the bony protrusion is important.
- Continuing with your physical therapy and reporting any persistent issues to your surgeon is crucial.
Explanation: After surgical procedures like subacromial decompression and distal clavicle resection, it's typical for patients to see swelling, tenderness, and some residual lumps as the body heals. The bony protrusion may still be prominent and sensitive as inflammation is a normal part of the healing process.
That said, you should definitely pay attention to how your shoulder feels, especially if you're experiencing increased tenderness after activity. It's vital to listen to your body—if something seems off or you're concerned, being proactive is a good approach.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close watch on the tenderness and any changes in size or sensation of the bony protrusion. Note down when tenderness increases and any activities that might contribute to it.
-
Continue Physical Therapy: Stick with your prescribed physical therapy routine, as this will help strengthen the shoulder and improve motion. Ensure you communicate any pain or discomfort you're experiencing during exercises to your physical therapist.
-
Pain Management: If you're experiencing discomfort, consider using ice packs for 15-20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and tenderness, along with over-the-counter pain relief (like ibuprofen) as needed.
-
Reassess Timeline for Follow-Up: If the tenderness continues or worsens, or if you have concerns about the protrusion in the coming days, do not hesitate to reach out to your surgeon to discuss an earlier follow-up appointment. It’s better to address potential issues sooner rather than wait for your four-week check-up.
This structured approach can help to ensure you stay on the path to recovery without missing any important signs. Let me know if you have further questions or need more specific advice!
Related Questions
Ongoing Diarrhea and Abdominal Discomfort After Meals
Age: 29 | Weight: 230 lbs | Height: 5'11" For approximately three years now, I've faced a troubling issue of experiencing diarrhea shortly after eating, typically within ten minutes. At first, I attributed this to fast food consumption and began to limit those meals, which provided a slight improvement. Nevertheless, I have largely learned to cope with the situation. Following a recent bout of food poisoning, my wife encouraged me to seek medical attention to investigate further. Despite undergoing various tests, including blood work and stool analysis, all results indicated normalcy. During my visit, the doctor inquired about my interest in being referred to a gastroenterologist. Initially, I hesitated, as there seemed to be some reduction in frequency of episodes, although they remained quite random. Just recently, I indulged in an egg salad sandwich for lunch, which led to an urgent need to use the restroom within a mere five minutes. Conversely, there have been instances—like when I had a meal at Culver's—where I experienced no issues at all. Later, we had hot dogs for dinner, and that same evening I encountered significant abdominal pressure. This pressure alleviated temporarily with bowel movements or gas release, only to return later. Now, three days have passed, and I am feeling a sharp pain on my right side when I bend down, situated just below my ribs. I have a scheduled appointment with a gastroenterologist on Tuesday, and I am hoping to gain some clarity on my situation.
Unusual Bump from an Ear Infection
(18/Ftm) I've been battling with an ear infection and have already consulted a physician about it. They provided me with a prescription for Augmentin and some ear drops. However, I've noticed a peculiar bump in my ear that has me feeling a bit uneasy. I'm uncertain whether I should be alarmed or if this bump will resolve itself in time. It doesn’t cause any pain, so I’m leaning toward not returning to the doctor just yet, but I’m seeking advice on the matter instead.
Could This Be Tonsillitis?
I’m a 20-year-old female, standing at 5’4” and weighing 65 kg. Currently, I’m dealing with a flu that has really knocked me down. I want to confirm whether this is merely tonsillitis or if it might be something more concerning. Additionally, if it is tonsillitis, should I consider using steroids? I have an ample supply of prednisone on hand.
Concern over Cheekbone Clicking After Fainting Incident
In the early hours of Saturday, I fainted while undergoing an extended water fast that lasted over 50 hours. Although I had hydrated sufficiently and consumed electrolytes, it appears I may not have had enough, particularly in light of my medications. My current prescription includes: - Fluoxetine: 60 mg in the morning - Quetiapine: 50 mg in the morning and 75 mg at night. Around 2 AM, I woke up to head to the bathroom but lost consciousness on my return. I collapsed forward, and I suspect I landed face-first. I have a vague memory of the crash, which might have briefly roused me, but I’m uncertain about the number of times I fell. My mother heard the noise, managed to open the door, and assisted me in getting up. Dazed, I stumbled to a chair. Not long after, while she grabbed some sugar, I fainted again. I regained consciousness shortly after consuming sugar and tea. Here's a summary of my visible injuries: - A graze above my left temple (the only noticeable injury) - A slight discoloration on my cheek that faded quickly - No significant bruising developed The symptoms I am experiencing include: - Tenderness on my forehead (it’s sensitive to touch but tolerable) - More worryingly, a sore area on my cheekbone beneath the eye, which emits a faint clicking noise when tapped. The click isn’t substantial enough to be heard in a silent room, although my parents could perceive it when I tapped near their ear. It feels as if there’s a small fragment shifting beneath the surface of the skin. There hasn’t been an increase in pain, swelling, numbness, or changes in vision—just the clicking sensation along with some tenderness. Initially, I opted not to visit the emergency department as I lacked any clear signs of a concussion, such as blurry vision, nausea, or memory lapse. However, this persistent clicking I've just noticed today has raised my concerns. Could this indicate a hairline fracture or a detached bone fragment? Is it likely to heal on its own, or would it be wise to seek medical attention? In hindsight, I understand that fasting while on these medications might have been ill-advised, potentially amplifying their effects, which may have contributed to my fainting episode. Additional symptoms include discomfort beneath the right armpit and on the right side of my ribcage, as well as my knee—though all appear superficial in nature.
Understanding Frequent Joint Discomfort and Swelling: A Personal Inquiry
- Age: 26, Weight: 118 lbs, Height: 5'3" - Diagnoses include ADHD and PMDD - Currently not on medication - Taking magnesium glycinate supplements nightly - Nonsmoker and a social drinker, with no use of other substances - On my feet for over seven hours a day at work I frequently experience a swelling sensation in my joints, accompanied by warmth and pain, making them feel as if they might burst. There’s a noticeable redness to the affected areas, and my veins seem more pronounced in my hands and feet during these episodes. The discomfort primarily plagues my knees, but all of my joints are affected. Sometimes, my arms and legs feel so heavy that it hampers my ability to walk or stand effectively. I have sought answers regarding this issue, discussing it with two different doctors during routine annual examinations. Unfortunately, I’ve never managed to consult a physician while experiencing an episode, which may have contributed to my concerns being downplayed. Despite expressing my pain and the challenges it presents in my everyday life, I have not received the reassurance or attention I hoped for. These episodes appear to coincide most frequently with hot and humid weather conditions, particularly on rainy or overcast days. Additionally, I’ve noticed a pattern where these incidents tend to occur during the luteal phase of my menstrual cycle. Could this situation indicate something more serious? What steps can I take to alleviate or treat this condition?