You eventually will need to see a physiotherapist but initially you are considered the best physiotherapist. You will be encouraged to gently start using your arm the day after the operation and will be shown some very simple exercises to do yourself three times a day. You usually start to visit a physiotherapist about 6 weeks after your operation.

This is entirely up to you and always depends on how well you manage normally and whether you have help at home.

Usually two to three days but it always depends on how you are feeling.

The sling only needs to be worn for the first few days after the operation then we encourage you to come out of it as much as possible. It is a good idea though to wear the sling when going out of doors to avoid others from knocking or bumping your shoulder.

You will have some pain following the surgery but each day this will improve with regular pain relief and as the swelling settles down. It is worth noting that patients who have had this surgery regularly say that while it is painful after the surgery, it is often no where near as bad as that which they had before the operation!

Driving a motor vehicle is usually not recommended until two conditions are met:

• It has been at least 6 weeks after the surgery and
• The shoulder is comfortable enough so that when you are standing you can raise your arm to the horizontal position straight out in front of you 20 times.
• Using these criteria, we avoid placing the shoulder, passengers, other drivers and pedestrians at risk from a shoulder that cannot perform in emergency situations.

We do not recommend soaking in a bath until your wound has healed completely. You will need some assistance with showering until you become more confident. To dress easily, always put your operated arm, through your sleeve first.

It is expected that the life-span for the prosthesis will be 10-20 years.