In the months following your shoulder surgery, you'll most likely be advised to take it easy and modify your positioning to keep pressure off of your shoulder. While you are recovering, you should not lift anything with the operative arm. Please consult with your orthopedic surgeon before you begin lifting anything.
In most cases, successful shoulder replacement surgery will relieve your pain and stiffness and allow you to resume many of your normal daily activities as instructed by your doctor. But even after you have fully recovered from your surgery, you will still have some restrictions.
Once you've had your shoulder replaced, normal daily activities no longer include contact sports, "jamming" activities such as hammering, heavy or repetitive lifting, or activities that put excessive strain on your shoulder. Your doctor may advise you not to lift anything heavy. Please consult with your orthopedic surgeon before you begin lifting anything. Although your artificial joint can be replaced, a second implant is seldom as successful as the first.
For the first two years following your shoulder replacement, you will likely take preventive antibiotics before dental or surgical procedures that could allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Generally, talk to your orthopedist and your dentist or urologist to see if you still need preventive antibiotics before any scheduled procedures.
