Extreme arm swelling post shoulder surgery causing pain

Hi @gmuth, this sounds out of the ordinary to me. I'm bringing fellow members @anncgrl @mdgarnett @kathy2020 @ellerbracke @basslakebabe19 @artscaping and others into this discussion to get their thoughts as they have experience with shoulder replacement surgery.

Gmuth, Did your surgeon give you a number to call if you have urgent concerns? Has there been any change since you posted your first message here?

(thanks Colleen)

Gmuth - the amount of swelling you state was definitely not my experience. I had a little bit that didn't go away until well into physical therapy. What you relate doesn't sound right and if you haven't already done so, I second getting in contact with your surgeon right away.

Let us know how you progress.

@gmuth, good evening. I see this is your first post. How long were you in the hospital? Did you meet with the hospital staff before you left to go over the care of the surgical site? Were you given an emergency number just in case? Have you tried calling yet?

I have had 4 shoulder surgeries and none had abnormally intense swelling as a result of the surgery. Are you using an immobilizer? Can you elevate the shoulder as much as possible? Did you get an ice machine from the hospital or pharmacist? Do you have someone in the house to help you? You need to elevate and ice the surgery arm.

How is your temperature? In normal range? What beverages have you had? If you cannot get some ice for the swelling then you need to talk to the hospital staff or at least the paramedics at the fire station now. It has been an hour since your first post. Will you please post again to make sure we hear from you and that you have taken steps to get help.

Be safe and protected.
Chris

I have not had anything remotely like this happen that I related to surgery specifically. I, in the same situation, would call my doctor's emergency number immediately or go to an emergency room. I have had blood clots with many of the same symptoms. Severe pain, pooling of blood, etc. are huge red blood flags.

@gmuth, how are you doing today? Did you seek medical attention?

Hi Chris... Sally here after the lower trapezius tendon transfer. Just got news this week that the surgery did not 'take.' After 4 months of PT and activity I still can't lift my arm above my head. I'll need to be transferred to the thread that is total reverse shoulder replacement. Not happy, but at least I still have options. Any suggestions are appreciated. Take care and be safe. Sally

Hi there Sally,@itsally. Any new information to ponder? I will check in the Reverse shoulder replacement group. I know I moved us there.
Chris

Right Shoulder and Elbow surgery

On April 9th 2021 I had two bone spurs removed, Labrum smoothed down and rotator cuff smooth down on right shoulder, also on right elbow had the tennis elbow surgery. It has been 6 days since surgery. Only issues I have had is extremely painful (nearly passed out in therapy, I also have extreme swelling in right arm. Limited ability to elevate due to both surgeries. Taking Oxycodone, 1800mg of ibuprofen daily and bendryl for the rash from the tape contact from bandages. My arm feels as if was a jumbo hotdog and about to burst. I have my follow up appointment April 19th. What should I do about swelling, I'm currently icing every 3-5 hours. Should I wait for followup appt or call to be seen earlier?

@jtr Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

Passing out from pain and extreme swelling after surgery does sound like something that may warrant a phone call to the surgeon's nurse.

You'll notice that I moved your question to an existing discussion where members @ltsally @anncgrl @mdgarnett @gmuth have discussed a similar topic in the past. They may be able to offer support and experience regarding tips on ways to reduce swelling.

May I ask if you have an online portal you are able to contact the surgeon through?

my surgeon is in surgery all day today. left a voice message with him. My therapy was much better yesterday afternoon, although arm is still swollen it has gone down slightly. What concerns me is the red rash on arm and under arm area (I assume it is from the bandage tape) I don't think it is a blood clot since I'm not running a fever. I am taking a aspirin every day.