Yes, in many cases, you can and are encouraged to let your involved arm hang freely after shoulder surgery. This position can be part of your recovery protocol, but it's crucial to understand the specific limitations and how to manage your arm safely.
Understanding Arm Positioning Post-Surgery
While letting your arm hang freely might be permitted, it's essential to follow strict guidelines to protect the surgical repair. The primary goal is to avoid any movements or actions that could put stress on the healing tissues.
What to Do
- Allow Free Hanging: You may let the involved arm hang freely.
- Utilize Opposite Arm: When needing to move or adjust the position of your operated arm, use your opposite arm to reach under and provide support. This ensures that you are not actively engaging the muscles of the healing shoulder.
What to Avoid
It is equally important to be aware of activities and movements that are restricted, especially in the initial weeks following surgery. Adhering to these limitations helps prevent re-injury and promotes proper healing.
- Avoid Pushing Off: For six weeks after your surgery, do not use your operated arm to push yourself up or off a bed or chair. This action can place significant strain on the shoulder.
- No Active Movement Away from Body: Do not actively move your arm away from your body. This means avoiding movements where you use your shoulder muscles to lift or abduct the arm. Any movement of the arm should typically be passive, meaning someone else or your other hand is moving it for you, or it remains close to your body.
Always follow the specific instructions provided by your surgeon and physical therapist, as recovery protocols can vary based on the type of surgery and individual circumstances.
