YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

FAQS

How is follow-up after shoulder or elbow surgery handled if I live far away?

As with initial visits, we can arrange virtual visits for follow-up. If necessary, we will order and obtain follow-up xrays nearby you.

After shoulder or elbow surgery do I have to do physical therapy at your office?

If you do not live nearby our office you can do your physical therapy at home or with a physical therapist near your home. We will provide detailed rehabilitation guidelines to help guide you and/or your therapist

How soon can I go back to work and sports after shoulder or elbow surgery?

Our goal is to get you back to your occupation and doing the things you love as quickly as possible. The answer varies by the procedure and goal General guidelines for activities are as follows:

Walking – day off the procedure Running

– when out of the sling or brace Lifting weights

– 1 month after a period of strengthening with bands Overhead sports

4 to 6 months after surgery General guidelines for work are as follows:

Desk work

– 1 to 2 weeks after surgery Light lifting

– 1 to 2 months Heaving lifting

– 3 to 6 months depending on the amount required

Will I be able to care for myself after shoulder or elbow surgery

Most people are able to return to normal everyday activities such as dressing, eating, and grooming the day after surgery. We recommend you have someone in your home or immediately available for the first 48 to 72 hours after surgery.

How much pain will I have after shoulder or elbow surgery?

Our goal is to control and ease your pain. We use a multi-modal approach to pain to limit the need for narcotics as much as possible. The good news is that 1/3 of our patients do not require any narcotics after surgery.

How long does it take to recover from shoulder or elbow surgery?

Recovery varies by the procedure. Recovery from a rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement, for instance, takes 6 months. However, about 70 to 80% of the recovery occurs in the first 3 months

Is surgery all you offer for shoulder or elbow problems?

No! While our experts perform surgery, most people we are see are treated without surgery. A variety of approaches can be used from prescriptions to physical therapy to injections. Our goal is to get you recovered in the most conservative way possible.

What are the costs of shoulder surgery if I don’t have insurance or pay out of pocket?

Some patients who do not have insurance or who are out-of-network, pay themselves. In these cases we have set-up a fixed price based on the procedure. This avoids multiple bills and/or surprises after the surgery. This price includes all costs the day of surgery including: the surgery center facility fee, implants and surgical materials, surgeon fee, assistant fee, and anesthesia fee. The only parts not included are a shoulder brace and any postoperative prescriptions. For additional information click here:    https://oregonshoulder.com/self-pay-patients/

What Insurances are accepted?

Oregon Shoulder Institute accepts all major insurance providers

How do I set-up a virtual visit?

The steps are simple. All that is needed is an internet connection on your phone or computer Call and make an appointment at 541-608-2595Fill out a patient questionnaire Send x-rays and/or MRI for review Five minutes prior to the scheduled time log into the virtual waiting room using Zoom:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2889641585

What if I live far away and can’t be seen in the office?

A virtual visit, or TeleHealth visit, allows an evaluation through the use of video-conferencing. This allows you to connect with a physician and obtain an evaluation without going into the office. A virtual visit is particularly useful for obtaining an opinion from a provider outside of your normal area or for patients who have to travel far to see a doctor.

How do I set up a Visit or Get an opinion?

For patients in our local 5 country service area we offer in-office appointments. An appointment can be obtained by calling us or clicking here.