How Do You Bathe After Rotator Cuff Surgery?
Whether you have arthroscopic shoulder surgery or the more invasive open shoulder surgery, there will be weeks of care following rotator cuff surgery. In most cases, your physician will provide you with instructions on what you can and cannot do, and a time frame for these instructions. Bathing will be awkward at first but still possible with the proper precautions. Obtain any information prior to being discharged from the hospital facility on the proper ways to bathe after open shoulder surgery. Do not bathe at all the first 24 hours after surgery. Take sponge baths only until given the okay to shower by your physician. Use some sort of plastic wrap to cover the incision to keep it dry once you are given the okay to shower. This is usually the second day after surgery. Do not use your arm, let it hang freely. Do not use soap and water on the incision. Replace bandages that get wet to reduce the risk of infection. Do not soak in a bath tub, hot tub or swimming pool for 10 to 14 days. W
