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Has anyone had a reverse shoulder replacement on both shoulders?

Posted by jprust @jprust, Jan 22 12:28pm

I just had my second reverse shoulder replacement done 5 days ago. The first went really well and I recovered quickly. This is my left and dominant side. It seems much more swollen and painful than the first. I had a fever for 4 days ranging from 100 to 102.

My hand has a lot more numbness and my forearm is cramping up. I know it will get better. The surgeon thought he could repair the rotator cuff tear so first went it with a scope, but there was too much damage and the tear was bigger than they thought.
What are others experience with both shoulders having a reverse shoulder replacements? Did you have good range of motion and function after a few months?

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loreleiks | @loreleiks | Jan 23 4:26am

I had both rTSRs last year. I am female, 68. In my experience, it seemed my first surgery and dominant shoulder progressed as PT expected. Although this was a slowwww process to me. My second recovery lagged but w no significant complications.

Now, six months after the last surgery, and one year after the first, I have complete upward range of motion, moderate up my back but can remove my bra strap, lol 😆, no pain.

Was the surgery worth it for me? Absolutely! I do find it helpful to do stretching exercises or pool workouts.

Good health and recovery to you.

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1 reply
rainerhans | @rainerhans | Jan 23 5:51am

I had 2 reverse shoulder replacements done 7 years ago with no problems, a lot of exercises and icing helped me through.
With having fever, I would immediately call my surgeon,, in case you need antibiotics for a few more days to avoid an infection.
Good luck for you ♥️

REPLY
jprust | @jprust | Jan 23 10:12am
In reply to @loreleiks "I had both rTSRs last year. I am female, 68. In my experience, it seemed my..." + (show)
@loreleiks

I had both rTSRs last year. I am female, 68. In my experience, it seemed my first surgery and dominant shoulder progressed as PT expected. Although this was a slowwww process to me. My second recovery lagged but w no significant complications.

Now, six months after the last surgery, and one year after the first, I have complete upward range of motion, moderate up my back but can remove my bra strap, lol 😆, no pain.

Was the surgery worth it for me? Absolutely! I do find it helpful to do stretching exercises or pool workouts.

Good health and recovery to you.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your helpful response. It has only been 6 days since my 2nd replacement. I have little shoulder pain, but my hand in very painful with burning and tingling. I did not have it this bad with my 1st replacement on the other side. I am starting to worry that this is a result of nerve damage during surgery. The pain is a 7 on a pain scale. I was off pain meds by the 5 th day and driving.

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nonnahelen | @nonnahelen | Jan 24 6:34pm

I had rest on my dominant arm 4 months ago. I still have some tingling pins and needles in 2 or 3 fingers and that hand is cooler than the other. When I told the surgeon,he didn’t think it was unusual. I also have a large knot right across from my underarm,a little below the incision and that is getting smaller,but painful when compressed. I still do not have upward range of motion and I can’t believe you drove after 5 days! You are way ahead of me,keep up the good work.

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2 replies
jprust | @jprust | Jan 24 6:52pm
In reply to @nonnahelen "I had rest on my dominant arm 4 months ago. I still have some tingling pins..." + (show)
@nonnahelen

I had rest on my dominant arm 4 months ago. I still have some tingling pins and needles in 2 or 3 fingers and that hand is cooler than the other. When I told the surgeon,he didn’t think it was unusual. I also have a large knot right across from my underarm,a little below the incision and that is getting smaller,but painful when compressed. I still do not have upward range of motion and I can’t believe you drove after 5 days! You are way ahead of me,keep up the good work.

Jump to this post

I drove after 5 days after the reverse replacement I had in September of 2023. But that was my right arm surgery which is my non dominant arm.
The reverse I just had on 1/17/24 is on my left- my dominant side. I don’t feel as capable using my right arm only to drive and I am still on opioids. I am in much more pain with this second surgery. My arm doesn’t even straighten completely down with the pendulum exercises.

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1 reply
rainerhans | @rainerhans | Jan 25 7:00am
In reply to @nonnahelen "I had rest on my dominant arm 4 months ago. I still have some tingling pins..." + (show)
@nonnahelen

I had rest on my dominant arm 4 months ago. I still have some tingling pins and needles in 2 or 3 fingers and that hand is cooler than the other. When I told the surgeon,he didn’t think it was unusual. I also have a large knot right across from my underarm,a little below the incision and that is getting smaller,but painful when compressed. I still do not have upward range of motion and I can’t believe you drove after 5 days! You are way ahead of me,keep up the good work.

Jump to this post

With all my replacements, I have very good results with massaging Vitamin E oil in the scars.

REPLY
1 reply
nonnahelen | @nonnahelen | Jan 25 8:32am
In reply to @rainerhans "With all my replacements, I have very good results with massaging Vitamin E oil in the..." + (show)
@rainerhans

With all my replacements, I have very good results with massaging Vitamin E oil in the scars.

Jump to this post

Thanks,that’s good to know,but this lumpy tissue is a few inches away from the incision line and under the skin. The therapist suggested massaging it with a tennis ball.

REPLY
1 reply
nonnahelen | @nonnahelen | Jan 25 8:38am
In reply to @jprust "I drove after 5 days after the reverse replacement I had in September of 2023. But..." + (show)
@jprust

I drove after 5 days after the reverse replacement I had in September of 2023. But that was my right arm surgery which is my non dominant arm.
The reverse I just had on 1/17/24 is on my left- my dominant side. I don’t feel as capable using my right arm only to drive and I am still on opioids. I am in much more pain with this second surgery. My arm doesn’t even straighten completely down with the pendulum exercises.

Jump to this post

Sorry,I misunderstood you and that you are still in pain. From reading all the post op experiences on this page,it is clear ,each person and each surgery ,are different and we should probably not compare ,but rather forge our own path to recovery. I feel I am behind others,but maybe that is meant to be. Wishing you less pain ahead!

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jprust | @jprust | Jan 25 9:07am

I know what you mean about not comparing surgery and recoveries because they are all so different. I appreciate people telling me their experiences as it helps me keep an open mind about all the possibilities. It helps me feel less alone.
I am surprised that even with me the same surgery on both shoulders has had different pain and progress.
I think normal is a poor choice of words to describe recovery. Maybe just progress, or healing.

REPLY
jprust | @jprust | Jan 25 9:08am
In reply to @nonnahelen "Thanks,that’s good to know,but this lumpy tissue is a few inches away from the incision line..." + (show)
@nonnahelen

Thanks,that’s good to know,but this lumpy tissue is a few inches away from the incision line and under the skin. The therapist suggested massaging it with a tennis ball.

Jump to this post

Does it hurt when you try that?

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