1. < Joint Replacements

Shoulder Replacement: Still having pain

Posted by rascal1 @rascal1, Jul 15, 2019

I have recently had a total shoulder replacement and continue to have much pain eight weeks later. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing this with their standard shoulder replacement.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

basslakebabe19 | @basslakebabe19 | Nov 17, 2020

8:weeks isn’t really a long time when healing from such a major surgery. Shoulders are the worst. I have have
had three reverse shoulder replacement surgeries - one was repeated when I exercised the ball out of joint..... naughty me. I discovered that doing the Mayo prescribed exercises helped me recover. Even though they might be uncomfortable, the movement helps strengthen the muscle and increase range of motion. Hang in there. Try CBD oil......

REPLY
1 reply
autp17 | @autp17 | Nov 17, 2020
In reply to @basslakebabe19 "8:weeks isn’t really a long time when healing from such a major surgery. Shoulders are the..." + (show)
@basslakebabe19

8:weeks isn’t really a long time when healing from such a major surgery. Shoulders are the worst. I have have
had three reverse shoulder replacement surgeries - one was repeated when I exercised the ball out of joint..... naughty me. I discovered that doing the Mayo prescribed exercises helped me recover. Even though they might be uncomfortable, the movement helps strengthen the muscle and increase range of motion. Hang in there. Try CBD oil......

Jump to this post

Thanks

REPLY
1 reply
wildebjef | @wildebjef | Nov 17, 2020
In reply to @autp17 "Thanks" + (show)
@autp17

Thanks

Jump to this post

Love Mayo Clinic

REPLY
martydav | @martydav | Nov 19, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "Good afternoon @martydav Welcome to Connect from someone who has had a few shoulder surgeries and..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good afternoon @martydav Welcome to Connect from someone who has had a few shoulder surgeries and an elbow with several fractures as the result of a fall down the mountain. I ended up having a reverse shoulder replacement on my dominant shoulder because the shoulder bone came out of the socket and the rotator cuff was destroyed....meaning that it would not support a shoulder replacement that was dependent on a healthy rotator cuff.

You also mention that pain meds tear up your stomach. I have been down that path also and had to make a U-turn because my intolerance was a major factor in the issues surrounding my recovery from the transplant surgery.

And now...here is the surprise. I have two nurse friends who watched me struggle. They asked, "what do you do in the middle of the night when the pain keeps you awake?. I responded.....”I just sit on the edge of the bed and cry.”

Immediately, I was introduced to medical cannabis. Slowly, with their guidance, and knowledge, folks in the dispensaries helped me make choices about more than just freedom from pain. That was several years ago and I am still walking the same pain relief path. The options have increased and the quality of the products has risen consistently. If you are interested in more information about managing your pain in this manner, please just reply with a positive message and I will do whatever I can to help you.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Jump to this post

I would love to know about the CBD pain relief.

REPLY
martydav | @martydav | Nov 19, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "@martydav - Here are a few YouTube videos... - Top ten tips for post-shoulder surgery: life..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@martydav - Here are a few YouTube videos...

- Top ten tips for post-shoulder surgery: life after shoulder surgery - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAlQZtOOnqA
- Tips after shoulder surgery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nWQqb9thqo
- Post-op shoulder surgery-Sleeping with a sling! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nWQqb9thqo
- Sleeping Positions after shoulder surgery or injury - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js6VmeECE0A

Jump to this post

Thank you for the information. Having to redo my surgery.

REPLY
robinsod | @robinsod | Jan 28, 2021

I had shoulder replacement 4 years ago and it still hurts and I have no strength in that arm.

REPLY
2 replies
martydav | @martydav | Jan 28, 2021
In reply to @robinsod "I had shoulder replacement 4 years ago and it still hurts and I have no strength..." + (show)
@robinsod

I had shoulder replacement 4 years ago and it still hurts and I have no strength in that arm.

Jump to this post

Did you do PT religiously from the start?
How does your shoulder hurt? Nerve, muscle, or replacement?

REPLY
Erika | @erikas | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @robinsod "I had shoulder replacement 4 years ago and it still hurts and I have no strength..." + (show)
@robinsod

I had shoulder replacement 4 years ago and it still hurts and I have no strength in that arm.

Jump to this post

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

4 years is a long time to not have strength in your arm after surgery.

Members like @colski @basslakebabe19 @wildebjef @anncgrl have discussed this topic recently.

Below I have linked a somewhat related discussion where members like @ltsally @jetsky28 @bernster @basslakebabe19 have also recently discussed shoulder surgery.
- Reverse Shoulder Replacement: Recovery process https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement/

May I ask what your surgeon and physical therapist has to say about your lack of strength in your arm?

REPLY
cookiegnias | @cookiegnias | Feb 22, 2021
In reply to @rascal1 "Yes, I discussed my pain with my doctor last week and he said it was rather..." + (show)
@rascal1

Yes, I discussed my pain with my doctor last week and he said it was rather unusual after a total shoulder replacement but everyone has a different tolerance for pain. He upped my tramadol and put me on Advil. Neither of which seem to help. When I go for physical therapy it hurts on my way there let alone while she is doing the exercises with me and the stretches.
I had the surgery on May 21 with some physical therapy in the hospital for three days. Then I went to an inpatient physical therapy facility where I had occupational therapy and physical therapy six days a week.
After three weeks I came home and had physical therapy here for three weeks. Now I’m going to outpatient physical therapy and I’m just not finding any improvement in pain.
I have quite a bit of improvement in motion and movement but the pain keeps me from activities I enjoy.
I’m wondering if anyone else has had this much pain for this long as I find it very discouraging.

Jump to this post

I had reverse revision shoulder replacement on Nov 19 had 2 bone grafts wire around numerous to stabilize 7_weeks physicall therapy in constant pain around scapular area and arm can't lift arm above waist I know something is wrong but doc doesn't acknowledge so I know what u r going through its brutal. Ann gnias

REPLY
martydav | @martydav | Feb 24, 2021

Go get another opinion.
Same thing happened to me only to learn I had broken prosthesis at 8 weeks of PT. Had to have it completely redone. Now at a month and a half of new PT. Pain is better, but still a beast. I too am only able to lift my arm less than chest high.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.