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- Preoperative planning
Preoperative Planning
Before your surgery it will be required to have preoperative testing. In some cases blood work, EKG (heart tracing), or a chest X-ray may be needed. A chest x-ray is only done if you have a lung condition or a history of cigarette smoking. If any of these tests are needed they will be scheduled for you and will be done during pre-testing when you meet with the anesthesia staff. If further testing is needed it will be arranged by the pretesting staff. If it has been some time since you have seen your primary care physician and you have a lot of medical problems, it would be best that you see your medical doctor before your pre-test date. The pretest center will also provide you with a special soap and instructions that should be used before the surgery.
Your surgeon may also recommend advanced imaging studies such as an MRI or CT scan of the shoulder to assess the rotator cuff tendons and bone stock of the glenoid (socket) to determine if you are a candidate for a reverse shoulder replacement and to help with surgical planning.
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