Upper Limb Surgery Recovery: Slings, Splints and the Physiotherapy Milestones That Follow

Three days after a shoulder operation, the hardest task of the morning is not pain. It is toothpaste. Squeezing a tube with the wrong hand, over a sink, while the other arm sits strapped to the chest like a parcel that must not be opened. The instruction sheet said “keep the sling on.” It did not say how strange it feels to be one-handed.

Upper limb surgery recovery is full of these small negotiations. Whether the operation was a rotator cuff repair, a plated wrist fracture, a tendon repair in the hand or a carpal tunnel release, the arm is asked to do two contradictory things at once: stay still enough for tissue to heal and move enough to avoid seizing up. The sling, the splint and the physiotherapist are the tools for managing that tension.

What follows is an honest map of that process, drawn from mainstream guidance rather than the optimistic timelines that circulate online. Your surgeon’s plan will be more specific than anything here, and it wins every disagreement.

What upper limb surgery recovery actually involves

Recovery after an arm, shoulder, wrist or hand operation is less a single event than a relay with three handovers. The first leg is protection, the second is motion, the third is strength. Each depends on what the surgeon actually did inside the limb.

Bone, tendon, ligament and nerve heal on different clocks. Bone knits by forming a soft callus that gradually hardens; the NHS notes that a broken arm or wrist usually takes around six to eight weeks to heal in adults, longer in some circumstances. Tendon, the cord that joins muscle to bone, repairs by laying down scar collagen that is weak at first and only slowly regains tensile strength. Nerve, once repaired, regrows along its own sheath at a famously slow pace, and sensation may return over many months rather than weeks.

A splint is a rigid or semi-rigid support that holds a joint still. A sling is a fabric cradle that takes the weight of the arm off the shoulder. Both exist to keep healing tissue within a safe range of load. Too much stress and a repair can stretch or pull apart; too little movement and the joint capsule, the sleeve of connective tissue around a joint, tightens into stiffness. The physiotherapist’s job is to walk that line, adding movement only as the tissue can tolerate it.

Two people with the same diagnosis can therefore have different timelines. A small tear stitched tightly is not the same as a large tear repaired under tension. A stable plated fracture may be moved early; a fragile one may not. This is why general timelines on the internet, including those here, are ranges rather than promises. The plan that matters is the one written for your arm.

Who is usually offered upper limb surgery, and who is asked to wait

Surgery is rarely the first suggestion for an upper limb problem, and understanding why helps make sense of the recovery that follows.

For shoulder tendon tears, the Mayo Clinic describes a stepped approach: rest, activity change, physical therapy and sometimes injections come first, with surgery considered when symptoms persist, when a tear is large or traumatic, or when the person’s work or sport demands it. For carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve at the wrist, the NHS describes splinting and steroid injections before release surgery is discussed. For fractures, the question is different: a bone that is stable and well aligned is usually treated in a cast, while one that is displaced, unstable or involves a joint surface is more likely to be fixed with plates or wires.

Who is asked to wait? Commonly:

• People whose symptoms are improving with non-surgical care, because surgery adds risk without adding benefit.
• People with uncontrolled diabetes, active infection or heavy smoking, since each is linked to slower wound and bone healing; teams often ask for these to be addressed first.
• People who cannot yet commit to the rehabilitation that follows, because a repaired tendon left unrehabilitated tends to stiffen.
• Older adults with degenerative tears who are managing well, where evidence for a surgical advantage is less clear.

None of this is a judgement about deserving care. It reflects an honest calculation: the operation is only half of the treatment, and the months afterward are the other half. Surgeons want the second half to succeed. If you have been asked to wait, ask what specifically would change the recommendation, and what you can do in the meantime. The answer is usually concrete.

Why a sling after shoulder surgery matters more than it looks

A sling looks like a comfort item. It is closer to a structural one. Gravity pulls the arm downward all day, and that pull travels straight through the tendons and capsule at the top of the shoulder. After a rotator cuff repair, the stitches holding tendon to bone are the weakest link for weeks; the Mayo Clinic notes that the tendon must reattach to bone and that full recovery may take several months. The sling removes most of that downward load so the repair can begin to knit without being tugged.

Some slings include a small pillow or wedge that holds the arm slightly away from the body. This is not padding for its own sake. Positioning the arm in slight abduction, meaning a little out from the side, reduces tension on certain repaired tendons and improves blood flow to the healing area. Removing the pillow because it feels bulky can undo that benefit.

How long the sling stays on varies with the procedure. After a simple shoulder dislocation treated without surgery, the NHS describes wearing a sling for a short period and expecting complete recovery over roughly twelve to sixteen weeks; after a surgical repair the protection phase is generally longer and is set by the surgeon. Most teams allow the sling to come off for specific tasks, such as bending the elbow to keep it from stiffening, washing under the arm, or doing the pendulum exercises the physiotherapist teaches.

Three practical points make a difference. Keep the strap adjusted so the elbow sits at roughly a right angle and the hand is above the elbow, which limits hand swelling. Check the skin at the neck and wrist daily for rubbing. And resist the urge to “test” the shoulder by lifting the arm out of the sling; the repair cannot report back when it has been strained.

Splint after hand surgery: casts, thermoplastic splints and why the position is precise

Hand and wrist surgery brings a different set of hardware. In the first days, many people wake with a bulky plaster splint, a half-shell of plaster padded with bandage that accommodates swelling. Once swelling settles, this is often swapped for a lighter cast or a custom thermoplastic splint, a moulded plastic support made by a hand therapist that can be removed for exercises and washing.

The position a splint holds is not arbitrary. After a flexor tendon repair, the tendon that bends a finger, the wrist and knuckles are held bent so the repaired tendon rests slack while the person performs carefully prescribed movements that keep it gliding. After a fracture fixed with a plate, the wrist may be held neutral so the joint capsule does not tighten. After carpal tunnel release, a splint may be optional, and the NHS notes that people are usually encouraged to move their fingers early.

A removable splint is a responsibility. It only works while it is on, and the schedule for wearing it, including at night, comes from the therapist. Taking it off because the hand feels better is one of the most common ways a repair is set back.

Care of a cast is straightforward but unforgiving. MedlinePlus advises keeping it dry, never pushing objects inside to scratch, and reporting numbness, pins and needles, a change in finger colour, or a smell from beneath the cast. Fingers should be moved freely unless told otherwise, and the hand should be kept raised on pillows when resting so fluid drains back toward the heart.

The transition out of a splint is gradual. Therapists often prescribe wearing it only for risky activities first, such as travel or sleep, before abandoning it entirely. That staged approach reflects the tendon or bone regaining strength rather than a calendar date being reached.

How long does upper limb surgery recovery take? Typical ranges, not promises

People search this question hoping for a number. The truthful answer is a range tied to what was repaired, and the table below gathers what mainstream guidance actually says. Every figure is typical rather than guaranteed, and your surgeon’s timeline overrides it.

Procedure or condition	Usual protection	Typical timeframe described in guidance	Source
Broken arm or wrist (adult)	Cast or splint	Bone usually heals in about 6 to 8 weeks; strength and motion return afterward	NHS
Dislocated shoulder (non-surgical)	Sling	Complete recovery around 12 to 16 weeks	NHS
Rotator cuff repair	Sling, often with pillow	Recovery described as taking several months; tendon must heal to bone before strengthening	Mayo Clinic
Carpal tunnel release	Dressing, sometimes a light splint	Return to light activities within weeks; grip strength and nerve symptoms improve gradually over months	NHS

Notice what the table does not say. It does not say when you will feel “normal,” because that word covers two different things: the point at which the tissue is healed and the point at which strength, coordination and confidence have caught up. The second often lags the first by months. A wrist may be radiologically healed at eight weeks and still ache when you open a jar at four months.

Age, smoking, diabetes, the size of a tear, whether the injury involved a joint surface, and how consistently exercises are done all shift these ranges. So does what “recovered” means to you. A desk worker and a plasterer with identical operations will define the finish line differently. It is worth telling your team what your finish line is, so they can tell you honestly how far away it sits.

What the first two weeks usually look like

The early days are about swelling, wound care and learning to live with one arm.

Most people go home the same day or the next morning. The arm is bandaged, often numb from a regional nerve block, an injection near the nerves that keeps the limb pain-free for several hours. When that block wears off, usually overnight, pain rises suddenly. Teams generally advise taking the prescribed pain medicine before the block fades rather than waiting for the pain to arrive, because catching pain early is easier than chasing it. The specifics belong to the prescribing clinician.

Swelling peaks over the first few days and is the main reason fingers feel tight and the splint feels snug. Elevation helps: MedlinePlus advises keeping the operated limb above heart level when resting. Gentle finger and elbow movements, if permitted, act as a pump.

The wound is usually covered with a waterproof or absorbent dressing. Some incisions are closed with stitches that dissolve; others need removal at a clinic visit, often around ten to fourteen days, though the surgeon sets the date. Signs of trouble include spreading redness, increasing rather than decreasing pain, cloudy discharge, or fever.

Sleep is often the biggest complaint. Lying flat can make a shoulder throb; many people find a semi-reclined position with pillows under the arm easier. Constipation from reduced activity and pain medicine is common and worth mentioning to the team early.

A first physiotherapy or hand therapy appointment is often booked within this window. It may involve little more than checking the sling fits, teaching how to bend the elbow safely, and explaining the road ahead. That conversation sets expectations for everything that follows, so it helps to arrive with questions written down.

Physiotherapy after shoulder surgery: the milestones in order

Rehabilitation after shoulder and arm surgery follows a sequence that almost never changes, even though the dates attached to it do. Understanding the sequence makes the process feel less arbitrary.

• Passive range of motion. The therapist, or your other arm, moves the joint while the operated muscles stay relaxed. This keeps the capsule from tightening without loading the repair. Pendulum swings and table slides belong here.
• Active-assisted motion. The operated arm begins to help, with support from a pulley, a stick or the other hand. The repaired tissue takes a little load, but not the full weight of the limb.
• Active motion. The arm lifts under its own power. This milestone is usually reached only when the surgeon is satisfied that tendon has attached to bone or fracture has united, which is why it often arrives weeks after the operation.
• Strengthening. Resistance bands and light weights build muscle around the joint. The Mayo Clinic describes this phase as part of a process that can extend over several months after rotator cuff repair.
• Function and return to activity. Reaching overhead, carrying, pushing, sport-specific or work-specific drills.

Skipping a stage is the classic mistake. Starting strengthening while the tendon is still in its weak scar phase risks stretching or tearing the repair, and a tendon that has pulled away does not always announce itself with sharp pain. Sometimes the only sign is that motion plateaus.

The order also explains why early physiotherapy can feel frustratingly gentle. Nothing seems to be happening. In fact, the therapist is protecting the repair while preventing the stiffness that would later take months to unwind. Frozen shoulder, a condition where the capsule thickens and motion becomes painfully restricted, is a recognised risk after shoulder surgery and immobilisation; the Mayo Clinic notes it can persist for a year or more. Preventing it is far easier than treating it.

Swelling, stiffness and scars: the slow middle phase

Between the drama of the operation and the satisfaction of returning to normal tasks sits a long, undramatic middle. It is where most recoveries are won or lost.

Swelling that lingers past the first fortnight is common in the hand and can make fingers feel like sausages in the morning. Elevation, gentle pumping movements and, where a therapist advises it, compression gloves or wraps help fluid drain. Persistent swelling stiffens joints because the fluid physically limits how far they can bend, so it is worth treating as a problem in its own right.

Stiffness follows a predictable pattern. Joints held still for weeks lose motion through shortening of the capsule and the surrounding soft tissue. The hand is especially vulnerable; even fingers that were not operated on can tighten if they are not moved. Therapists often prescribe short, frequent sessions, several times a day, rather than one long effort, because tissue responds to repeated gentle stretch better than to occasional force.

Scars mature over roughly a year. Early on they are red, raised and sensitive; over months they flatten and fade. Once the wound is fully closed, therapists commonly teach scar massage, pressing and circling firmly over the scar for a few minutes at a time to soften the tissue beneath and to desensitise the skin. Sunscreen protects new scar from darkening.

This phase also tests patience. Progress is measured in degrees of bend and millimetres of reach, not in dramatic leaps. Keeping a simple diary of what you could do each week, such as reaching a shelf, fastening a bra strap, or turning a key, provides evidence of progress on days when it feels absent. It also gives the therapist useful information about which movements are lagging.

Pain after arm surgery: what is normal, what the medicines do, and when it should ease

Pain is expected, and its trajectory is informative. Surgical pain is usually worst in the first two to three days, then eases steadily. Pain that plateaus is worth mentioning; pain that climbs after having settled is a reason to call.

Medicines are used in layers, and decisions about which, how much and for how long rest entirely with the prescribing clinician. Paracetamol, known in the US as acetaminophen, dampens pain signalling centrally. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the chemical inflammation around the wound, though some surgeons limit their use after fracture fixation or tendon repair because of theoretical effects on bone and tendon healing; this is a conversation to have rather than a decision to make alone. Opioids are reserved for the short early period when other options are insufficient, because they cause constipation, drowsiness and, with longer use, dependence. Most people need them for days rather than weeks, and MedlinePlus advises discussing how to taper and dispose of any leftover supply.

Non-drug measures matter more than they sound. Ice wrapped in a cloth over the shoulder for short periods reduces swelling and dulls pain. Keeping the arm elevated eases the throbbing that comes with dependency. Timing exercises for when medicine is working, rather than when it has worn off, makes therapy more productive.

Nerve-related pain deserves separate mention. Burning, electric or shooting sensations, extreme sensitivity to light touch, or pain that seems out of proportion to the surgery can point to nerve irritation or, rarely, complex regional pain syndrome, a condition in which the nervous system amplifies pain after an injury. The Cleveland Clinic notes that early recognition and treatment improve the outlook, so these symptoms are worth reporting promptly rather than enduring.

How can I get back to normal after surgery? One-handed living, sleep and self-care

Getting back to normal starts long before the sling comes off, in the small adaptations that keep life running.

Dressing is the first puzzle. Front-opening tops, one size larger, go on operated arm first and come off operated arm last. Slip-on shoes save a fight with laces. Many people put a chair in the bathroom to sit while washing. A long-handled sponge and a pump-action soap dispenser turn a two-handed task into a one-handed one.

Kitchen work is where accidents happen. Lids, cans and knives are two-handed jobs by design. Pre-cut vegetables, a jar opener that grips the counter, and a non-slip mat under the chopping board reduce risk. Carrying anything with the operated arm is usually forbidden until the surgeon lifts the restriction; even a light bag pulls on a repair through the same gravity the sling was designed to remove.

Sleep improves with positioning. After shoulder surgery, a reclined position with a pillow under the elbow so the arm does not fall backward is often more comfortable than lying flat. Side-sleepers may need to switch sides for weeks. After hand surgery, propping the arm on pillows above heart level reduces morning swelling.

Activity in general is encouraged. Walking each day, within comfort, keeps circulation moving and lowers the risk of blood clots, which the NHS notes is raised after any surgery and by immobility. Upper limb surgery carries a lower clot risk than hip or knee surgery, but staying mobile still matters, and calf pain, leg swelling or breathlessness should always be reported.

Emotionally, the loss of independence is real. Asking for help with hair, cooking or driving is not weakness; it is part of protecting the repair. Most people find the second half of recovery far easier than the first, and planning the first few weeks in detail makes the whole process smoother.

How long after arm surgery can I drive, work or return to sport?

These three questions come up at almost every follow-up visit, and the honest answer to each is: it depends on the operation, and the surgeon decides.

Driving. There is no universal legal waiting period after upper limb surgery; the standard is whether you can safely control the vehicle, including performing an emergency stop and full steering, without the sling and without pain or medicine affecting your reactions. Driving while wearing a sling is generally advised against. Many surgeons suggest waiting until the sling is no longer required and range of motion and strength are adequate, which may be several weeks after shoulder surgery and shorter after minor hand procedures. Insurers may have their own requirements. Ask the team directly and follow their answer.

Work. Desk-based work is often possible within days to a couple of weeks, with the arm supported and typing limited to what is comfortable. Manual work that involves lifting, pushing or overhead reach usually waits until the strengthening phase is well underway, which after rotator cuff repair can mean several months, in line with the Mayo Clinic’s description of recovery. A phased return, with lighter duties first, is common and worth discussing with an employer early.

Sport. Non-contact, lower-body exercise such as walking or a stationary bike is often encouraged early. Swimming waits until wounds are fully healed. Overhead, throwing and contact sports are generally the last to return, once the therapist confirms strength and control are comparable to the other side.

The pattern across all three is the same. Restrictions are lifted when tissue healing and functional testing say so, not when a date on the calendar arrives. Pushing early does not speed the tissue; it only risks the repair.

What people often get wrong about upper limb surgery recovery

Several beliefs surface again and again in clinics. Each has a kernel of logic and a flaw.

“If it doesn’t hurt, it’s safe to use.” Pain is a poor guide to tendon strength. A repaired tendon in its early scar phase can be stretched or torn with little immediate pain, and a nerve block or medicine can mask discomfort entirely. Restrictions exist because of tissue timelines, not pain levels.

“Rest as much as possible.” The opposite error. Protecting the repair does not mean protecting the whole arm. Fingers, elbow and neck should usually be moved from the first days unless told otherwise, and prolonged total rest is how stiffness and frozen shoulder develop.

“Physio is only useful once the sling comes off.” Early therapy, even when it is gentle, prevents problems that later take months to fix. Attending from the start is one of the strongest things a person can do for their own outcome.

“More exercise means faster recovery.” Tissue adapts to graded load. Doubling the repetitions or adding weights before the therapist advises it does not accelerate healing and can inflame the joint or damage the repair.

“Once the bone has healed, I’m done.” The NHS describes bone healing in adults at roughly six to eight weeks for an arm or wrist fracture, but strength and motion continue improving well beyond that. Radiological healing is the start of the strengthening phase, not the end of recovery.

“Supplements or devices will speed things up.” Evidence that any over-the-counter supplement, brace or gadget shortens tendon or bone healing in otherwise healthy people is weak. Adequate protein, not smoking, controlling blood sugar and following the exercise plan are the interventions with the best support.

Questions to ask your care team before and after the operation

A good consultation is a two-way exchange, and the right questions turn generic advice into a plan for your arm. Consider bringing these, and writing down the answers.

• Exactly what was repaired or fixed, and which tissue is the weakest link during the first weeks?
• How long should the sling or splint stay on, and for which tasks may it come off?
• Which joints should I move from day one, and which must stay still?
• When is my first therapy appointment, and will it be with a physiotherapist or a hand therapist?
• What movements or activities are strictly off limits, and for how long?
• How will I know the repair is progressing, and what would be a sign that it is not?
• When do you expect to reassess driving, work and sport, and what will you look for before clearing each?
• Which pain medicines have you prescribed, how do they work together, and how should I reduce them as pain settles?
• Are there medicines I should avoid because they might affect bone or tendon healing?
• What wound care is needed, and when will stitches or dressings be dealt with?
• Who do I contact, and how, if something worries me after hours?
• What does a typical outcome look like for someone with my repair, and what factors in my case might make it better or worse?

That last question deserves an honest answer rather than a reassuring one. Outcomes vary, and a team that explains the range, including the possibility of residual stiffness or weakness, is treating you as a partner. If the answers to any of these questions are unclear, ask again at the next visit. Recovery plans evolve as healing progresses, and the questions that matter at two weeks are different from those at three months.

When to call your doctor: red flags after upper limb surgery

Most recoveries are uneventful, but a small number of problems need prompt attention, and knowing them in advance removes the doubt about whether to pick up the phone.

Call the surgical team or seek urgent care the same day if you notice:

• Fever, chills, or spreading redness, warmth, swelling or cloudy discharge around the wound, which may indicate infection.
• Pain that increases sharply after having settled, or pain that is severe and not eased by the prescribed medicine.
• Numbness, pins and needles, or weakness in the fingers that is new or worsening, especially with a tight cast or dressing.
• Fingers that turn pale, blue or dusky, feel cold, or take more than a couple of seconds to pink up after being pressed; these can signal restricted blood flow.
• A cast that has become loose, cracked, wet or has a foul smell.
• A sudden pop, tearing sensation or loss of motion after a stumble or a heavy lift, which may indicate the repair has failed.
• A burning, extremely sensitive limb with skin colour or temperature changes, since the Cleveland Clinic notes complex regional pain syndrome responds best when recognised early.

Call emergency services immediately if you have:

• Chest pain, sudden breathlessness or coughing blood, which can indicate a clot in the lung.
• Swelling, pain or warmth in the calf or in the operated arm, which may signal a deep vein thrombosis; the NHS lists these as symptoms needing urgent assessment.
• Bleeding that soaks through dressings and does not stop with firm pressure.

Trust the instinct that something is wrong. Teams would far rather review a concern that turns out to be nothing than miss an infection or a failed repair because a patient did not want to bother anyone. Any decision about changing your plan, your splint or your medicines belongs to the treating team, who know the details of your operation.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to wear a sling after shoulder surgery?

The sling stays on for the period your surgeon sets, which depends on what was repaired. After a non-surgical shoulder dislocation the NHS describes a short spell in a sling and full recovery over roughly twelve to sixteen weeks; after a tendon repair, protection is usually longer. Most teams allow it off for specific tasks such as elbow bending and washing. Follow the written plan rather than removing it when the shoulder feels better.

Do I need a splint after hand surgery, and can I take it off?

Many hand operations use a splint to hold repaired tendon, bone or ligament in a protected position, and the schedule for wearing it comes from the surgeon or hand therapist. Removable splints are only effective while worn, so they should come off only for prescribed exercises and washing. After some procedures, such as carpal tunnel release, a splint may be optional and early finger movement is encouraged.

What does physiotherapy after shoulder surgery involve in the first weeks?

Early physiotherapy is deliberately gentle. It typically covers passive movements, where the therapist or your other arm moves the joint, pendulum exercises, elbow and hand mobility, posture and sling fitting. The aim is to prevent stiffness without loading the repair. Active lifting and strengthening are added later, once the surgeon confirms the tissue has healed enough to tolerate them.

How long after arm surgery can I drive?

There is no single rule; the standard is whether you can control the car safely, including an emergency stop, without a sling and without medicine affecting your reactions. Driving in a sling is generally advised against. Many surgeons suggest waiting until protective restrictions are lifted and motion and strength are adequate, which may be several weeks after shoulder surgery. Ask your team and check your insurer’s requirements.

How many days of rest are typically required after arm or shoulder surgery?

Complete rest is rarely recommended. Most people are encouraged to walk and move unaffected joints from the first day, while the operated tissue is protected by a sling or splint for weeks. Time off work depends on the job: desk work may resume within days to a couple of weeks, while manual work often waits until the strengthening phase, which after rotator cuff repair can mean several months.

How can I get back to normal after upper limb surgery?

Attend every therapy session, do the home exercises as prescribed, keep the arm elevated to limit swelling, move the joints you are allowed to move, and protect the repair from loads until cleared. Not smoking, controlling blood sugar and eating adequate protein support healing. Progress is gradual, so tracking small functional wins each week helps. The finish line depends on your goals, so share them with the team.

Why is my hand still swollen and stiff weeks after surgery?

Swelling commonly persists for weeks after hand and wrist surgery and is a major cause of stiffness, because fluid physically limits joint movement. Elevation, frequent gentle movement and, where a therapist advises, compression help it drain. Stiffness also comes from shortening of the joint capsule during immobilisation. Short, frequent exercise sessions are more effective than occasional forceful stretching. Report swelling that worsens suddenly or comes with redness or fever.

Is pain after arm surgery normal, and when should it ease?

Pain is usually worst in the first two to three days, especially as a nerve block wears off, and then eases steadily. Medicines are used in layers, and the prescribing clinician decides which and for how long. Pain that plateaus is worth mentioning; pain that climbs after settling, or burning, electric pain out of proportion to the surgery, should be reported promptly to rule out infection or nerve problems.

Are leg surgery recovery timelines relevant to arm surgery?

Only loosely. Leg operations carry different concerns, particularly weight-bearing and a higher risk of blood clots, so their timelines do not transfer directly. Arm recovery is governed by tendon, bone and nerve healing plus the risk of stiffness rather than by walking milestones. The shared principle is that tissue heals on a biological schedule and restrictions are lifted when healing and function tests allow, not on a set date.

What are the signs the repair has failed or something has gone wrong?

Warning signs include a sudden pop or tearing sensation followed by loss of motion, pain that rises after having settled, new numbness or weakness in the fingers, pale or cold fingers, fever or wound discharge, and calf or arm swelling that could indicate a clot. None of these should be watched and waited on; contact the surgical team the same day, and call emergency services for chest pain or breathlessness.

References

• NHS: Broken arm or wrist
• NHS: Dislocated shoulder
• NHS: Carpal tunnel syndrome
• MedlinePlus: After Surgery

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.