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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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