Shoulder Joint Replacement - Preparation

If, after consulting with your doctor, you have decided to replace your shoulder joint, a number of preliminary examinations will need to be conducted. These include a blood test, an x-ray examination, and an ECG (electrocardiogram). Please inform your doctor about which medications you are taking. You should be in good physical condition for the operation; smokers are strongly advised to discontinue smoking 2-3 weeks before the procedure in order to avoid delays in the healing process. Please also be aware that you should stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medications which inhibit blood clotting at least 10-14 days before the operation.

Because the operation can lead to blood loss, it is sometimes advisable to make an autologous blood donation (a donation of your own blood) available in advance or to obtain blood donations from your relatives or friends. Your teeth should not have any serious diseases because these can lead, in rare cases, to the entry of bacteria into the bloodstream, which could cause infections.⁵

Please speak about these and further preparatory measures explicitly with your doctor.